How Long is Rhinoplasty Recovery Time?

The recovery period may differ from individual to individual, and another point depends on which method is applied to you.

For example, in closed rhinoplasty, two incisions are made to intervene inside the nose, while in open rhinoplasty, the same two internal incisions are made with an additional incision along the columella between the two nostrils. This means that open rhinoplasty will heal later.

However, in terms of recovery, there may be a little more swelling after open rhinoplasty and more scars will appear on your skin.

If we consider all these possibilities, the recovery process of rhinoplasty may take an average of 3 months depending on the technique, while it may take up to 1 year for you to see the final result.
 

What to Expect During Rhinoplasty Recovery?

After your rhinoplasty operation, you may experience:

Surrounding tissues are likely to swell to any operation, no matter how small. But remember, the amount of swelling varies from person to person.

Due to the laxity of the facial tissue, swelling is more prominent in this area and your facial features may look different than they are. This swelling may peak on the second or third day after surgery.

You observe this more especially when you wake up in the morning. This is not a serious condition or an indication that something is wrong. The swelling will always eventually subside and your face will return to normal.

It is also perfectly normal to have varying amounts of bruising around your eyes and face. Just like swelling, discoloration may become more noticeable after discharge.

Usually its intensity decreases within 1 week. However, in some cases it may take several weeks. 
 

What is the Rhinoplasty Timeline?

24 Hours After Rhinoplasty Surgery
 

You may feel sleepy and fall asleep more often 24 hours after your rhinoplasty surgery. This is related to the sedation or general anesthesia you receive.

For this reason, you should not drive within 24 hours of waking up. You can walk around your house, but your focus should be on rest.
 
48 Hours After Rhinoplasty Surgery

You may still feel tired 2 days after the operation. We recommend walking to restore blood flow to normal. However, you should still focus on rest.

It would make more sense to watch your favorite movies rather than playing an intense computer game.
 
5 Days After Rhinoplasty Surgery

Five days after the operation, you can return to your work or school if you are doing a desk job. If your job requires a lot of physical exertion, you should wait ten days to return to work. You may be feeling fine, but your skin hasn't healed yet.

Two Weeks After Rhinoplasty Surgery

Every body heals at a different rate. Some may feel great, while others may need a little more rest.
 
Three to Four Weeks After Rhinoplasty Surgery

Three to four weeks after the operation, you can do moderate-intensity cardiovascular activities such as swimming and jogging.

But remember, your cartilage and bones aren't fully stable yet, so you should still avoid resistance exercises and high-intensity cardiovascular exercise.
 
Six Weeks After Rhinoplasty Surgery

Six weeks after the operation, the cartilage and bones in your nose will be fully settled. There will be no restrictions on sports. You are free to run as much as you want and lift as much weight as you want.

You can also wear glasses and blow your nose again. However, we recommend that you consult your doctor for these.
 

What are the Tips to Speed Up Rhinoplasty Recovery Time?

Applying cold compresses to your eyes and forehead can ease the discomfort and reduce some swelling for the first few days. However, be careful that the weight of the compress does not put pressure on the splint.

Protect your face from the sun for several months.

What are the tips To Reduce Swelling After Rhinoplasty? Raising your head higher than your heart while sleeping will reduce swelling.

Do not bend over or lift weights for about two weeks. Besides increasing swelling, this can raise blood pressure and cause bleeding.

Protect your new nose from impacts. Especially do not pick up small children or pets. Continue to sleep with the head of your bed elevated for at least two weeks.

Don't constantly try to draw air out of your nose like people do when their nose feels stuffy. This can make the feeling of congestion go away and even aggravate it.

Do not forcefully blow your nose for several weeks after surgery or until instructed. This can accelerate bleeding.

On the night of your surgery and during the first or two days following it, you may experience an almost constant bloody nasal discharge.

Don't be alarmed. Within a few hours, the amount of bleeding will gradually decrease and become more watery.