Recovery After Rhinoplasty: What You Need to Know

No matter what kind of procedure they are interested in undergoing, post-surgery recovery is always a concern among my cosmetic surgery patients. The plastic surgery recovery period is a critical time for both allowing the body to fully heal and promoting the best and longest-lasting result from the procedure performed. I’ve always found that providing clear and accurate information about these things can be incredibly reassuring and helpful to patients. This is why I wanted to discuss what my patients can expect from their recovery after rhinoplasty surgery.

I wanted to begin by laying out the standard recovery timetable for rhinoplasty surgery. Every patient is different and this can vary, but these thresholds should provide a simple baseline of expectations for most patients. Rhinoplasty is almost always performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning no overnight hospital stay will be required. Patients can typically return to most of their normal daily activities within two to three weeks after their surgery. More physically demanding tasks like exercise, heavy lifting, and certain kinds of strenuous work will have to wait at least a month. This will be discussed in more detail at the time of consultation and pre-op.

In the weeks following the procedure, there will be some natural swelling of the face. As swelling subsides and tissue heals, a gradual change in appearance will become noticeable. In some cases, the nose will be bandaged and splinted for a week after rhinoplasty to provide protection and support to the newly re-contoured nose. Depending on the type of rhinoplasty and the extent of the surgery, it can take several months for swelling to fully dissipate, but outstanding aesthetic results from rhinoplasty will appear much sooner than that.

To help my patients get the most out of their rhinoplasty recovery period, I recommend taking the following precautions:

• Take baths (instead of showers) until surgical bandages have been removed
• Avoid blowing your nose when possible
• Use a minimum SPF 30 sunscreen on your nose, and avoid too much sun exposure, in the weeks following rhinoplasty
• Try to limit more extreme facial contortions like smiling or laughing when possible
• Be gentle while brushing your teeth to limit movement of your upper lip and irritation of the nose
• Wear button-down shirts or be careful when pulling clothing like shirts over your head

I always tell my patients that recovery after rhinoplasty surgery is almost always less daunting than patients may believe before their procedure. And the vast majority of patients feel the long-term results achieved always make it worth it. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation, contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Don’t forget to follow along with me on Facebook for additional plastic surgery tips, news, and much more.