How Long Does it Take to Recover From Nose surgery?

Rhinoplasty surgery or nose surgery is a surgical procedure that can fix aesthetic and functional issues pof your nose. It is also known as nose reshaping surgery. It is done to change the shape of the nose and/or to enhance facial aesthetics. It can be done to improve the appearance, for improved breathing, or even both. However prospective patients are concerned about the recovery phase of nose surgery.

It is to be remembered that the recovery process in nose surgery is a journey. The surgery involves some downtime and you need to prepare for the rhinoplasty recovery process. You need time to heal and recover for the best results.

A board-certified plastic surgeon details the rhinoplasty recovery timeline well in advance. He may help you comprehend the phases of the treatment before the surgery. The timeline may be acceptable owing to the permanent results from nose surgery.

How Long is Rhinoplasty Recovery?

Typically, the downtime is around one week. Most likely patients resume work after one week. Noticeable swelling lasts on average 2-3 weeks but takes a full 4-6 weeks to resolve followed by secondary healing. However the recovery time after rhinoplasty surgery varies from person to person. It is based on the intensity of the surgery. The more extensive the procedure, the longer it may take for the complete recovery.  The recovery phase depends on various factors. It includes :

• The approach used like open or closed surgery,
• Initial surgery or  revision surgery
• Any underlying diseases  that delay healing
• The overall health of the patient

The timeline for Rhinoplasty recovery

A board-certified surgeon details the recovery for rhinoplasty timeline well in advance. He may help you comprehend the phases before the rhinoplasty surgery. It is a daycare surgery. That means you can return home within a few hours of the surgery.

• As a thumb rule for recovery from rhinoplasty :
• Downtime from work- 1 week,
• Downtime from social activity due to swelling- 2-3 weeks,
• Downtime for   strenuous activities and workouts- 4-6 weeks,
• Contact sports-3 months.

Initial days  after Rhinoplasty

• Any pain and uneasiness are managed with the prescribed medications.
• Pain regresses in a couple of days.
• Bruising, if present, will subside after 1-2 weeks.
• In  certain cases, an  external splint for the nose is administered for  5-7 days
• Sutures are likely to be removed after a week.
• Walking and light  day-to-day activities may be resumed after 3-4 days post surgery

Few Weeks After the Surgery

The first few weeks following your rhinoplasty procedure are crucial as they will determine your results and how long the recovery time takes.

In a period of 4 weeks, most of the swelling is regressed. Your nose appears more defined and you get a better idea of the appearance of your nose on complete healing. The bruises are also likely to have disappeared by this time as well.

Two Months After Rhinoplasty surgery

Generally, mild discomfort and swelling may persist until two months post surgery. However, in most cases, their results are fully attained. You may resume strenuous activity.  Your nose skin may contract further to take on the final shape of the underlying framework.

Three  Months  After Rhinoplasty Surgery

From the third month, pain on touch and discomforts is insignificant. The temporary numbness is also regressed. Any external incision scar, if present between the nostrils also turns inconspicuous. Your final results of the nose take a few more months depending on the intricacy of the surgery. Though the majority of the healing occurs during the first 3 months.

How To Optimise the Rhinoplasty Surgery Recovery Time?

Your Plastic surgeon provides a  customised detailed post operative guidelines  to follow after rhinoplasty. This ensures a  comfortable,  safe, and speedy recovery. Your recovery depends on the type of procedure done. For instance, open rhinoplasty recovery may take a few months to a year or longer for complete recovery. However, a   closed rhinoplasty recovery may be slightly faster.  With that note, it’s critical that you follow a non-negotiable adherence to all your surgeon’s post-operative instructions. Here are a few tips to follow as you recover from the procedure.

Follow  Your Surgeon’s Guidelines

After any surgical procedure, you are given a series of wound care guidelines. Nose surgery is nothing different. However, this care determines the ultimate result of your surgery. It is ideal to follow everything your surgeon advises you regarding your rhinoplasty recovery timeline. Your plastic surgeon knows your individual case and will give you specific recommendations. It may not be the same as your friend who underwent the same procedure. Therefore it is essential to use your discretion to follow the guidelines prescribed to you.

Check for Any Adverse Effects and  Complications

Post rhinoplasty you can experience slight bruising and redness around the surgical site and eyes. Soreness and slight discomfort may also be felt. These should subside within two weeks following your procedure. However, if that doesn’t happen, consult your plastic surgeon. If the pain, discomfort, redness, and bruising persist could be a sign of infection that needs addressing immediately.

Elevate Your Head

Following the rhinoplasty surgery, you must maintain your head elevated in an upright position. It facilitates proper blood flow.T hereby enhancing healing at the surgical site. Therefore, ensure to maintain this position in the first six weeks after your procedure. In addition, sleep in an upright position and avoid turning on your sides or back. Otherwise, it can displace your nose which can impact your rhinoplasty recovery.

Cold Fermentation  to Reduce Swelling

You will experience redness and swelling around the surgical site after the surgery. Use a cold press for the next three to four days to regress these. However, ensure that you don’t press the cold press directly to the surgical site, as this can displace the nose. Instead, apply the cold press to your cheeks. Moreover, make sure that you don’t touch your nose at all. Otherwise, it may cause contamination to the site resulting in an infection.

Healthy Diet

A healthy nutritious diet is mandatory for a smooth recovery from any surgery-Be it a minor or major one.  Eat balanced nutritious foods rich in protein, calcium, vitamins, and other essential nutrients. It helps to speed up the healing.

Avoid Blowing Your Nose

After rhinoplasty surgery, you will experience significant nasal congestion because of the blockage in your nasal cavity. This urges you to blow your nose. Blowing your nose, especially during the initial rhinoplasty recovery stages may result in complications. It may cause profuse bleeding to displace the dressing etc. So, it is advised , to avoid blowing the nose for the first six week.  Your surgeon may recommend a saline-based nasal spray to clear the mucus build-up and congestion.

Avoid Wearing Glasses

Wearing glasses of any kind during the recovery phase is strictly prohibited, no matter how difficult that is. This helps to avoid exerting unnecessary pressure on your nose. If at any instance you cannot manage with a prescription glass, you may opt for wearing contact a lens during your rhinoplasty surgery recovery days. Moreover, you should avoid wearing accessories like face masks.

Limit Sun Exposure

Ensure to protect your rhinoplasty site by limiting sun exposure. If you have to go out in the sun, wear a cap. You can also try using a broad spectrum SPF lotion or take guidance from your doctor.

Refraining from the sun is essential since  UV rays affect the existing collagen. It also slows down the synthesis of new collagen which impacts the elasticity of the skin. Sun exposure can also darken scars permanently. Similarly, exposing the surgical site to the sun may spike blood pressure while worsening the feeling of nasal pressure and swelling.

Stay  Relaxed

A stress-free and relaxed approach both physically ad mentally can certainly speed up your recovery.It is in particular during the first 3 to 4 weeks. It includes refraining  from intense activities like cardio during recovery. Avoid taking hot steaming showers, steam rooms, etc. Eating steaming bowls of food or soup is also to be avoided. When you bathe, make sure you do that using lukewarm water and keep the faucet, not beyond your neck level.

How early can you notice the results?

Initially, the rhinoplasty surgery might seem like an extensive procedure. While the recovery may take up to 6 weeks or more, most people feel okay with returning to normal duties within the first two weeks.

.Your results continue improving in the months following your surgery, with your face looking more proportionate every day. This delicate facial surgery heals beautifully when given the right aftercare, especially considering the advanced techniques and technologies used during the procedure.

Postoperative care  After  Rhinoplasty Surgery

Rhinoplasty surgery is mildly a  complex procedure. So during the recovery period, you may require some extra care. However, the uneasiness can be averted by the strict adherence to post-operative guidelines by your surgeon. Planning for your downtime before the procedure will make the recovery much easier.

With proper care, you can return back to routine activities in a week’s time. Here are a few of them

• Antibiotics and painkillers to expedite healing and ease the pain
• Avoid any  exertion or workouts
• Avoid showers while the bandages are  still on Instead do sponging
• Avoid blowing  your nose
• Avoid resting glasses on your nose
• Avoid straining your face with facial expressions
• Limit head movements
• Avoid the sun for the initial days’ post surgery.
• Wear clothes with larger necks or those that button down

Are you still confused about the recovery from Rhinoplasty surgery?

To learn more about what you can expect at every stage of your recovery, and every aspect to balance your facial features for an upgraded facial profile, don’t hesitate to contact Dr.Lokesh Handa, the board-certified plastic surgeon who ensures your treatment with utmost precision.