Right after a nose job or rhinoplasty surgery, people are eager to see their results. However, the recovery process takes time and patience. During this time, follow these steps to speed things up and ensure that your nose is healing properly.

Nose Job Recovery Period and Timeline

The final recovery and result for an average rhinoplasty is usually one year. While this may seem like a very long time, we have broken it down into several timelines to make it more manageable. It is important to note that not everyone recovers equally, and it varies from patient to patient.

2~3 days: A few days after the surgery, the bruising and swelling may increase. Pain, bruising, and swelling are normal, so do not worry.

Week 1: One week after the surgery, the stitches and splint can be removed from your nose. You will be able to go out in public without many signs of surgery. There may be some bruising around the eyes and cheek area, but it will eventually fade away in two weeks. You may resume daily activities by this time.

Week 2: By week two, most of the bruising and swelling should have gone down. Minor swelling will still reside.

Week 3~4: By around three to four weeks, you can resume some cardiovascular activities such as walking, biking, and swimming.

Week 6: At this point, the bones should have healed and stabilized so you may resume vigorous exercise and strength training. You can also wear your glasses and blow your nose safely.

3~6 months: You may have experienced numbness or abnormal sensations around the surgical site, but around six months, this should be resolved. However, the tip of your nose may still feel firm.

1 Year: By one year, the healing should be complete. Any swelling, bruising, redness, or pain should be gone, and you should be able to see the final results. Once the final results become apparent, you will be able to truly enjoy your new nose. Your nose will look like it has always been a part of your face.

Click this link to see before and after pictures.

How to Improve Your Rhinoplasty Recovery and Precautions

Follow these steps to get the best results while minimizing discomfort or the length of your recovery time.

Follow your surgeons’ instructions: Online forums and articles can tell you what to expect during the recovery period, but the best advice is to follow your doctor’s instructions and go to follow-up appointments regularly. The surgeon is the one who performed the surgery and knows your case history, so they should be able to help you through the recovery process and prescribe the appropriate medication.

Keep your head elevated: It is advised to sleep with your head elevated above your heart and maintain a frontal position for a few weeks after your procedure. This is to facilitate proper blood flow and prevent further injury. Sleeping on your side can also cause additional bruising and swelling, so while it may be uncomfortable, avoid turning onto your back or sides.

If you tend to toss or turn in your sleep, you can surround yourself with rolled-up towels or keep your head in place with a travel pillow.

Cold compression: After the surgery, apply cold compresses around the nose(cheeks) and forehead area for three days to help reduce the swelling and redness. Be careful not to put the compress directly on your nose, which can inadvertently displace the bone.

Maintain a healthy diet: Certain foods can actually help reduce the swelling in the initial healing phase. Fruits such as pineapples and papaya are rich in papain, an enzyme that helps the body dispose of bruising by enhancing the body’s dissolution of bruising. Eating healthy and nutritious foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, and protein will assist with healing as well. Protein plays an important role in skin, muscle, cartilage, and blood. Meat, fish, eggs, nuts, yogurt, and other protein-rich foods will help your body rebuild the damaged tissues around the nose. On the other hand, limit spicy and salty food as they are notorious for causing swelling. Avoid spicy food for the first three weeks because spices such as chili powder can irritate your sinuses and prolong the healing time.

Prohibited actions: Avoid blowing your nose at all costs for the first six weeks after the rhinoplasty. You may experience some congestion caused by swollen nasal tissues while your nose is healing. In this case, talk to your doctor about using a saline nasal spray to help clear up the congestion and mucus buildup. You should also try your best to avoid sneezing or sneeze open-mouthed to redirect pressure from your nose.

Refrain from picking or digging your nose as well. If blood or secretion comes out, let it flow and then gently wipe it with a tissue or gauze. Do not wear glasses, sunglasses, face mask, or even touch your nose for six weeks, as even the smallest point of contact can cause injury.

Avoid vigorous exercise: After surgery, it is recommended that you do light walking. Walking helps with the swelling as it controls the heart rate and movement of the head and the nose. However, strenuous exercise is prohibited. You can begin working out by week three, but weightlifting above the head and full-paced running should still be avoided till week six.

Keep cool: Avoid saunas, hot showers, swimming pools, and massages for 1 to 2 months. Heat can cause the tissues in your nose to swell, so stay out of the heat. Also, try to avoid direct sun exposure because it can cause any scarring to darken and swelling to increase.

Don’t smoke or drink: Smoking and drinking alcohol is not recommended for up to six months after the surgery. Nicotine restricts blood flow and interferes with recovery. It can also increase the risk of complications. While drinking is more tolerable, drunkenness runs the risk of falling and damaging your nose.

How Can I Tell If I Have an Infection?

Infection after rhinoplasty is very rare because the nose itself is resistant to infections. The internal hairs in your nose act as a physical barrier. The nose cells also produce mucus, which traps pathogens before they can enter the lungs. Moreover, the surgeons make sure to reduce the chances of infection by providing antibiotic ointment before and after the surgery.

Immediately after the nose surgery, side effects such as redness, bruising, swelling, discomfort, slight pain, and soreness are normal. It will subside in the following weeks.

However, if you see any signs of infection, such as extreme pain or severe swelling, please contact the hospital immediately.

Learn More About Rhinoplasty 

Rhinoplasty recovery is different for each patient. But do not worry. Docfinderkorea will guide you from the moment you schedule your first consultation and through every step of the way. If you want to learn more about rhinoplasty, click here.