Recovering from a nose job takes time and patience. In fact, the complete rhinoplasty recovery time takes one year for you to be fully healed, but if you divide the rhinoplasty surgery recovery timeline into milestones you can see your healing process and will know what to expect at each stage of healing. Today we are going to explain the nose surgery recovery time and the progress you can expect to make at each phase.
The Importance Of Planning Your Nose Job Recovery
If you’ve been wanting a nose job for a long time you might feel impatient about seeing your results, but all good things take time and a nose job is a major surgery that you need to heal and recover from.
For most patients, their new nose is only fully visible a year after the surgery, but you will start to see improvements taking place in as little as a week afterwards. Most patients find they are able to return to work a week or two after the surgery but it’s a good idea to have help around the house and to prepare your home so you really can relax and recover with as little stress as possible.
Healing From Rhinoplasty Surgery: What To Expect From Nose Surgery Recovery Time
24-Hours Afterwards
24-hours after your rhinoplasty surgery you will be able to move around but you should keep your head elevated and use cold compresses to manage the swelling and bruising.
Week One
After the first week, it is highly likely that your splint will be removed and you will feel confident enough to go out in public or return to work.
Some patients may have residual swelling and bruising under their eyes by this stage but this can usually be covered up with makeup.
By the end of the first week, you should be able to resume your day-to-day activities.
Week Two
By the end of the second week after your nose job, most of the bruising and swelling should have healed. If you haven’t returned to work yet, most of the bruising should have healed by day ten and by the end of the second week, you will be able to go to work.
Weeks Three and Four
By the end of the third week after a nose job most patients can resume physical exercise like running, cycling or swimming.
Week Six
By this point in your rhinoplasty recovery time, your nose bones should have stabilised. This means you can start wearing glass, blow your nose and do some weight training. Weeks six to eight are a significant milestone in your rhinoplasty recovery time as the swelling should have improved substantially and you should be able to resume most of your day-to-day activities.
Three To Six Months After Rhinoplasty Surgery
Three to six months after your nose job any abnormal sensations or numbness around your nose should have resolved. Most of the swelling should have subsided by this point but your nose still will not be in its final shape and size.
One Year After Rhinoplasty Surgery
By this point in your rhinoplasty recovery time, your nose will have settled into its final shape. It is recommended that you wait until 12 months after your rhinoplasty surgery before you consider having revisional surgery.
How To Speed Up Your Nose Surgery Recovery Time
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to speed up your rate of healing after rhinoplasty surgery:
- Make sure you follow your plastic surgeon’s post-surgical care tips. Your surgeon will give you specific care instructions to speed up recovery, including caring for your incisions and what to do in case of a problem.
- Keep your head elevated, even when sleeping as this can help to reduce swelling.
- Use ice packs and cold compresses to manage to swell.
- If your plastic surgeon prescribes anti-inflammatory medication, make sure you take it.
- Avoid blowing your nose or wearing glasses until week six after your nose job. It’s normal for your nose to feel stuffy or blocked, and you will have to breathe through your mouth for the first few weeks.
- Be prepared to sleep on your back for up to four weeks after rhinoplasty surgery as sleeping on your side can put pressure on your facial bones.
- Make sure you eat a healthy diet with lots of fruit and vegetables so you are getting the vitamins and minerals you need for recovery.
- Get enough rest and as much sleep as possible so you give your body a better chance to heal.
- Make sure you diarise your follow up appointments so your surgeon can check on your healing progress and remove the splints timeously.
While the timeline for healing and recovery might seem long, it will be worth the wait and it’s important that you embrace each milestone as it comes. If you start to feel impatient, look at your projected ‘after’ photos that your plastic surgeon showed you before your surgery to keep you motivated.
For help with nose surgery recovery time or to find out if a rhinoplasty procedure can achieve your surgical goals, it’s best to speak to a professional. Please contact us for a confidential appointment: (02) 9158 6375.
REFERENCES
Rhinoplasty
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/rhinoplasty/about
The Complete Guide to Rhinoplasty
https://www.allure.com/story/rhinoplasty-everything-you-need-to-know
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