There are numerous reasons why a patient might choose to get a rhinoplasty. Learn more about the recovery process from our Kelowna skin treatment and surgery specialists.
Tips For Recovering After A Rhinoplasty
Immediately After Surgery
Immediately after surgery, you may feel nauseous and tired. This may be due to anesthesia and the fact that your body is just beginning the recovery process.
Depending on the details of your surgery you may have:
- steri-strips (tape) on the nose
- a custom splint or shell
- stitches on the bridge of your nose
- packing in the nose
- splints inside the nostril
It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions regarding wound care and medication.
You will likely have some swelling and bruising in the area beneath the eyes.
You should have someone to drive you home, and strive to stay hydrated in order to properly limit side effects.
The First Week After Surgery
- Keep your physical activity limited.
- Keep your head elevated.
- Avoid wearing pull-over tops.
You may have some difficulty breathing through the nose as the nasal passages are often blocked for the first week or so after surgery.
You will be able to take the dressings off about one week after surgery. However, the new nose you see won’t be the final product can take up to a year for the bridge and tip to become fully refined.
The Second Week After Rhinoplasty
By this point, your swelling should have gone down, and you should be able to return to work about halfway through this week. At this point, mild exercise can also be resumed.
Additionally, during this phase, most patients are able to transition from prescribed narcotics to-over-the counter pain medications.
Three Weeks After Rhinoplasty
Between two and three weeks after the surgery, bruising and swelling have gone down and are not usually visible to a casual observer. All swelling should have gone down at this point, although your nose may still feel slightly blocked. At this point, although your results will not be fully settled, you will have a good idea of what your final result will look like.
1 Month After Rhinoplasty - 4 Months After Rhinoplasty
By the end of the one month mark, most patients can resume normal physical exercise, except for contact sports and in some cases swimming. Patients who wear glasses can begin to wear them again. Additionally, at this point, even patients with more physically demanding jobs can go back to work.
During this time period, the nose should begin to settle into its final shape, although it may feel slightly numb to the touch.
How Can I Speed Up My Rhinoplasty Recovery And Have A Comfortable Recovery Period?
While there is no miracle solution, there are numerous steps you can take to help speed up your natural healing process:
- quit smoking prior to your surgery and while you recover
- choose the right plastic surgeon
- follow aftercare instructions
- switch to contacts before your surgery so that you can avoid placing pressure on your nose as it recovers
Important Note: Even if your nose feels and looks fine, it’s important to attend all of your scheduled follow-up appointments.
Contact Us
To learn more about rhinoplasty, get in touch with our licenced Kelowna plastic surgeons. You can reach us at 250-868-9099 or through our online contact form.
