How Long is Recovery from Rhinoplasty?

Whether you decide to undergo rhinoplasty for aesthetic reasons or to improve a functional concern such as a deviated septum, it is important to remember that it is a major surgical procedure that will require some downtime. By following your pre- and post-operative instructions to the letter and getting a good amount of rest, you can go a long way toward minimizing the risk of complications and maximizing the potential for outstanding results.

While every individual is unique and the exact details of the recovery period following rhinoplasty will vary from patient to patient, most people are able to return to work and resume other simple daily routines after approximately one to two weeks.

Here is what many patients experience following rhinoplasty:

First week of surgery (Day 0-7): An external splint will remain in place. During this time, your swelling, bruising, and pain will decrease. Your splint may even become loose.

Day 8-10: Your splint is removed on day 7 following surgery. Interestingly, your
swelling will INCREASE in the first few days following splint removal. This can generate a lot of anxiety for patients. The important thing to note is that this is normal and will subside.

Day 10-30: Your swelling will slowly decrease. Many patients will start to see the changes that have been made during rhinoplasty. Your internal sutures will also dissolve during this time. It is helpful to watch your dietary salt intake during this time to limit fluctuations in swelling. In other words, a dinner of pizza will result in increased swelling of your nose the following day.

One month-two years: This is typically when all of the remaining swelling subsides. Keep in mind that you will still have daily fluctuations in swelling based on lifestyle, dietary, and hormonal factors. Six weeks following surgery, you can typically resume all athletic activities. However, it’s still important to take extra care to ensure your nose is protected from potential impacts to the face for several months.

There are some ways you can reduce the risk of bruising from your nose surgery. Our rhinoplasty frequently asked questions page has details on how that can be accomplished. For more information about rhinoplasty and the typical recovery process, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jess Prischmann to discuss all aspects of this procedure, please contact us today.