Rhinoplasty Recovery

Since no two patients are exactly the same, it should come as no surprise that neither are their rhinoplasty surgeries—or, for that matter, their recoveries.  In general, you can expect the following, but please keep in mind that your experience may vary slightly:

One of the biggest misconceptions is that following rhinoplasty, it will be weeks before you’ll feel comfortable being seen in public. The truth is that you’ll probably be quite presentable and be able to return to work in about a week, after the splint is removed. Before then, you’ll feel well enough to work from home and do most of your normal activities. Pain will most likely be minimal and many of our patients don’t require pain medication, although it will be made available in case you need it.

Visual changes after rhinoplasty can be quite exciting!  Although you look “normal” when the cast comes off, you will see that the initial swelling gradually resolves over the course of three weeks.  Refinements will continue throughout the course of one year.  Since the tip is the lowest point, gravity causes swelling to remain there the longest.  Final tip definition will not be fully apparent until the swelling is gone and a good sign of this is the visible return of the pores on the skin.

Recovery after rhinoplasty is not painful.  You will have congestion akin to a bad cold.  You’ll be able to walk as much as you like during the first week after surgery.  You can resume exercise after the first two weeks but you will need to avoid high-impact sports and strenuous weight lifting for about a month.

Read about Dr. Yagoda's Integrative Post Operative Care Program