Stages of Rhinoplasty Recovery

If you are interested in getting a nose job, this simple guide will help you be better prepared for the recovery process. When talking to new patients, clinics often get the same questions, such as :

• What does nose job recovery look like?
• When will I feel better? What’s the average nose job recovery time?
• How painful is rhinoplasty recovery?
• How can I be better prepared for my nose job recovery?

A nose job, or rhinoplasty for cosmetic purposes, is a surgery performed on your nose with the objective of making it more aesthetically pleasing. With rhinoplasty, a cosmetic surgeon can change the profile, size, shape, and tip of your nose while making it look natural.Most patients find out that with an expert surgeon, rhinoplasty will also enhance their natural beauty and other facial features. This surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure, so you get to go home and recover the same day. During the procedure, the doctor will make an incision and sculpt, reduce, or use a grafting technique in the cartilage and bone of the nose to achieve your desired look.

Rhinoplasty recovery time

Recovering from rhinoplasty will be slightly different from patient to patient, depending on factors such as the amount of work you had done and the technique your surgeon used. Everyone heals differently, by communicating with your surgeon and following the post-op instructions, you can be sure that your nose job recovery will be easy to manage.

The stages of rhinoplasty recovery: the first days after surgery

When finishing up the procedure, your surgeon will close the incisions, dress your nose with bandages, and add a splint that will help protect your nose.

Since it is an outpatient procedure, you’ll have the choice to go home once the effects of the anesthesia pass.

Doctors recommend that you ask a close friend or relative to stay with you in order to help with simple tasks such as showering and keeping your head elevated. If you don’t feel comfortable relying on friends and family, you can inquire about staying overnight at a recovery boutique with around-the-clock nursing care. It is vital that you keep your head elevated at all times during these first days following the surgery in order to help alleviate the swelling and congestion.

The first couple of days after rhinoplasty surgery, you will notice that your nose feels sore, swollen, and bruised. It is completely normal, even if the bruises extend toward your eyes. Swelling and bruising aside, your surgeon will make sure that you feel comfortable and pain-free. At this stage, be extra careful with your nose, take your pain medications as prescribed, and remember to sleep with your head elevated.

The stages of rhinoplasty recovery: 1-2 weeks after surgery

For most patients, between days 7 and 10 after rhinoplasty is when they start to notice a big improvement.

For starters, your surgeon will probably remove the splint and most of the bandages during your first follow-up appointment, which is one week after surgery.  During this stage, you will notice that the bruising, swelling, and congestion start to subside.

Your surgeon will likely clear you to go back to work and to your normal routine, with the exception of prolonged sun exposure and strenuous physical activity, particularly contact sports. While your nose is still healing, you should be extra careful if you feel like you need to scratch or even blow your nose. Keep on being extra gentle!

The stages of rhinoplasty recovery: 3+ weeks after surgery

Most patients, 3 to 4 weeks after surgery, experience a moment of “I feel like myself again.” And while your surgeon might ask you to avoid contact sports and strenuous physical activity, for the most part, your nose job recovery is practically over.

While recovery from surgery is pretty quick, complete healing takes a bit longer. Nasal swelling is barely perceptible about a month after the surgery, but it will be gone entirely by the 12-month mark – this is the moment when you can expect to see the final results of your nose job.

Pain management: is rhinoplasty recovery painful?

Pain is a big concern before getting any surgery. While yes, recovery will be uncomfortable at first, it is not painful. It is normal to feel stuffiness in your nose, to feel the area sore and super sensitive to the touch, but you shouldn’t be in constant pain. Your doctor will prescribe you pain medication to help with this, along with some things you can do at home such as rest, avoid touching your nose, and keep your head elevated. If you still feel pain or extreme discomfort, talk to your surgeon. Doctors are always there to help their patients feel good during their recovery.

Rhinoplasty recovery tips: What to buy and how to make your recovery better.

There are some things you can buy for your rhinoplasty recovery, so have them ready:

• A good ice pack. Choose a gel ice pack that won’t leak, you don’t want to get water in your bandages. Follow your surgeon’s instructions on how to use it.
• An air humidifier. This will help your stuffy nose feel better.
• Comfy pillows. You can also get a travel neck pillow that will help you keep your head elevated without being uncomfortable.
• A lip balm. The first days following the surgery you are going to be breathing mainly through your mouth, which means you’ll likely experience dry lips. Have a lip balm handy to help alleviate this.
• A nasal spray or saline solution. If your doctor allows it, use a saline solution or spray to help clear your nose and breathe better.
• Button-down clothes. Your nose will be super tender following rhinoplasty. To avoid brushing it with clothes and causing you unnecessary pain, get button-down clothes.

Do you want to learn more about rhinoplasty recovery? Contact VIDA Wellness and Beauty Center at (619)738-2144  to schedule a one-on-one consultation with our expert plastic and cosmetic surgeons. Our doctors have years of experience in cosmetic surgeries and will help you be better prepared for your nose job recovery.

More Information About Rhinoplasty

• Rhinoplasty Surgery in Mexico
• Rhinoplasty Cost in Mexico
• Wide Nose Rhinoplasty Guide
• What Is a Good Rhinoplasty?
• Rhinoplasty Before and After Photos
• Skin Care After Rhinoplasty
• Open vs. Closed Rhinoplasty: the Scarless Nose Job
• Rhinoplasty Revision Surgery in Tijuana
• Liquid Rhinoplasty vs. Surgical Rhinoplasty

Dr. Alejandro Quiroz

Dr. Quiroz is our board-certified Chief Plastic Surgeon at VIDA Clinic in Tijuana. He specializes in Facial Rejuvenation, Neck lift, Buttock Augmentation, Breast Augmentation, Body Contouring and more. He is member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, San Diego Plastic Surgery Society, the Mexican Society of Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and the Mexican Council of Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, to mention a few.

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