Recovery from mostly any surgery, rhinoplasty included, depends on the individual with everyone on their own timetable. To give you a basic idea of what you can expect after rhinoplasty, we’ll cover the rhinoplasty recovery time line that the average patient follows. Initial recovery is typically completed in a week (about 7 days after surgery).
This is your time-off work (or school) time, where you relax as much as possible, sleep propped up, ice your nose and watch too much of your favorite TV show. By the end of week one, or sometimes week 2, patients are typically delighted with the outcome. At Cohen/Winters, we especially enjoy the big “rhinoplasty reveal,” as the splint comes off.
It’s exciting to see how your features look with your new nose to complete the picture. The moment we see your smile, and we know you’re happy with your rhinoplasty outcome–that’s when we love our jobs the most. Then we’re ready to see you through your recovery as, at each visit, we see you get better and better!
Best Kept Secrets about Rhinoplasty Recovery
There’s typically no pain to deal with, or very little, from day one. Swelling, bruising and discomfort, yes. After week one, when stitches and packing (if any) are removed, most of the discomfort usually disappears with them.
Although, most people have heard this or read this, from plastic surgeons and first-person accounts of rhinoplasty patients, most still expect pain after their surgery. So, you will be pleasantly surprised as you look back on the period we are about to describe.
Your intermediate recovery phase takes place from about a month to 3 months after rhinoplasty. Every day your nose looks better and better, but swelling persists. At the end of this time, most of your result is coming into view. Casual observers may not realize that you’ve had rhinoplasty.
There’s still significant swelling at the nasal tip, however, but it’s usually not noticeable to others. Your recovery is generally complete at about 1 year after surgery. Although your nose will change over many years with age, rhinoplasty is a life-long procedure that should leave you happy with your nose permanently. Now that you have a basic outline of rhinoplasty recovery, let’s go over some details.
Good Prep Work Can Shorten Rhinoplasty Healing Time
Well before surgery day, you received your rhinoplasty pre-surgery and recovery instructions in writing and had the details explained. You’ve chosen a pal, who’s agreed to drive you to and from surgery–and stay with you for the first day and night afterwards. (We will go over post-surgery instructions with your pal as well, before he or she takes you home.) In the instructions:
- You may have been asked to avoid certain prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines, especially those which may cause excess bleeding like vitamin E, fish oil and aspirin. Don’t skip any Rx medications you normally take, unless instructed to do so by your surgeon.
- You’ve been asked to quite smoking well before surgery, if applicable.
- You’ve picked up your pain medication in advance from the pharmacy and purchased a wedge pillow. This will help you to sleep semi-upright to limit swelling after rhinoplasty.
- You’ve also been to the grocery store and purchased a couple bags of frozen peas. They make excellent, form-fit ice packs for your nose during rhinoplasty recovery time.
- If you’re interested in herbal/homeopathic remedies, check with your surgeon beforehand for a go-ahead. Some patients have had good results with pineapple juice or bromelain supplements and arnica montana which can help to limit swelling and bruising for some individuals.
- You’ve got button-front clothing to wear on surgery day and during early recovery.
Surgery Day: Rhinoplasty Recovery Time Begins!
Recovery begins on surgery day, as soon as you’re taken to the recovery room in our adjacent surgery center. There you’ll be awakened from anesthesia gently. You may not remember these early hours after surgery, later on. You will be bandaged in a nasal splint. You may have packing in your nose.
If packing isn’t needed, you’ll have an attractive drip pad taped below your nostrils to catch the blood (a small amount) that may appear on your first night post-rhinoplasty. You’ll feel some pressure around your nose, and sinus congestion as your rhinoplasty recovery time begins. Later on at home, you may take pain medication if needed when your surgical pain meds wear off. Use the package of frozen peas to decrease swelling and relieve pressure.
When dripping stops, you’ll start cleaning your small nasal incision (using hydrogen peroxide) regularly. You’ll use ointment to keep crust from forming under your nostrils. You might eat something if you feel like it. Your loyal pal will get you glasses of water, food, etc. Some grogginess from surgery may persist and we don’t want you to fall, or bang your newly completed nose on anything! Let your friend help.
Communicating with the Outside World
The first couple days of rhinoplasty recovery time, you’re in what we call the “uncomfortable” phase. Right now, you may not be breathing through your nose and you probably can’t smell anything. You keep your phone next to your recliner, just in case you need to call your surgeon about anything. (You can reach your surgeon anytime, if you have a concern.)
You’ll also need the phone for other things! You’ll take lots of selfies, record a vlog for your Facebook or post your 6-second highlights on Vine. Your own YouTube channel is not out of the question. However, if you’d rather be discreet, it’s usually no problem.
It may be hard to envision right now, but within a week or two, your surgery probably won’t be obvious to the general public. So if you choose to be discreet, it should work out just fine. No one has to know. Hold on, the worst part of rhinoplasty recovery time will be over in a day or two.
Rhinoplasty Recovery Timeline: Days 2 – 3
- This can be a miserable couple of days, though not usually painful. (Pain is rated by most patients as 3 – 4 on a pain scale of 10. Be sure to use your medication to relieve any pain). You may be feeling nauseous. Your mouth-breathing may make it hard to sleep. Nasal irrigation, from your post-surgery instructions, will help you feel better.
- Sleep propped on two big pillows (or your wedge), supporting your torso to minimize swelling. This also helps with bruising and limits bleeding.
- After day 1, you may return to light activity. Please don’t bend over, blow your nose or try to lift anything over about 5 lbs. Don’t take Aspirin, Advil or Motrin.
- If you have packing in your nose, you’ll visit your surgeon to remove it on about day 2.
- Never fear–things only get better from here!
Rhinoplasty Recovery: End of Week 1 (Days 4 – 7)
Milestone: Your Splint is Removed
- Your splint will be feeling loose about this time–and we will most likely remove it at the end of this week, along with any stitches you may have.
- At this point, you’ll be able to see the basic shape of your new nose. You’ll have quite a bit of swelling, but it’s likely to be symmetrical, so you can visualize the end result–even at this early stage.
- You may return to work (or school) with no heavy lifting or strenuous activity, although some patients are advised to take two weeks off for rhinoplasty recovery time.
- You’ll be wearing a hat (or avoiding the sun) over the next 2 months (yes months) to prevent sunburn.
Rhinoplasty Recovery: Week 2 (Days 8 – 14)
Milestone: Return to Work
In about the middle of this week, 10 days after your rhinoplasty, bruises have usually faded significantly. In another week or less, generally, swelling and bruises aren’t noticeable to a casual observer. You return to work or school on about day 8, but some patients are instructed to take 2 weeks off for rhinoplasty recovery time. In that case, you’d return to work on or about day 14.
Rhinoplasty Recovery: Weeks 3 and 4 (Days 15 – 30)
- At the end of week 3, you’re usually cleared by your surgeon to begin your normal exercise and activity level (meaning moderate).
- You should take at least another month off from contact sports or very strenuous exercise. If you’re willing to wear a protective mask, you can resume sports earlier. Always check with your surgeon.
- Much of your swelling is gone now, with the tip taking the longest to subside. You’ll notice your nose becoming more refined as the days pass.
Month 2 and 3: Rhinoplasty Recovery Nearly Complete!
You’re looking better every day and the swelling of the nasal bridge has typically gone down. The tip of your “new nose” may still feel a bit numb, but feeling is coming back daily. If you had an open procedure, your scar will continue to fade.
Rhinoplasty Recovery: 1 Year Later
- At the 12-month mark after your rhinoplasty, all (or nearly all) of your nasal swelling is gone. Your scar, if any, has faded almost completely.
- See your surgeon at this point to evaluate your outcome and monitor any scar tissue.
The Future: How Will Your New Nose Age?
As you age, your nose naturally ages and changes along with the rest of your face. If your surgeon was meticulous with your care, your nose will continue looking great, in harmony with your facial features over time.
With good communication about rhinoplasty goals and precise but gentle surgical technique, you can expect a speedy, trouble-free rhinoplasty recovery time. We see it happen every day around here!
