Recovering from Rhinoplasty: Recovery Timeline & Swelling Stages

Rhinoplasty recovery timeline

The total rhinoplasty recovery time and the extent of the swelling will differ depending on several factors, such as the reshaping procedure, the surgeon’s approach and your skin’s thickness. Generally speaking, it can take several months to see the full effects of the operation, and there can still be a small amount of swelling up to a year later. 

Exact recovery times will differ, but here’s an idea of your rhinoplasty recovery on a week-by-week basis. 

Week 1: Most people take two weeks off work after rhinoplasty. Immediately after the procedure, get plenty of bed rest while keeping your head elevated to reduce the swelling. The pain is moderate – most people grade it as between 1 and 4 out of 10 – and controllable using over-the-counter painkillers. 

You can eat and drink normally and take short trips out, so you’ll have no trouble looking after yourself. You will have some bruising under the eyes and around your cheeks, and you may experience some oozing from your nostrils and into the back of the throat, but don’t worry, it’s completely normal!

In the early stages of recovery, you should:

• Rest with your head propped up on pillows for at least the first few days
• Avoid getting your nose wet – take baths instead of showers and use lukewarm water
• Avoid wearing glasses – arrange to get contact lenses before the surgery
• Stay out of direct sunlight
• Avoid touching or blowing your nose
• Avoid physical and sexual activity

Week 2: At this point, the facial bruising will start to improve and will usually be gone after around 14 days. Your surgeon will remove the stitches and splint, giving you the first glimpse of your new nose.  This is a joyful experience for most patients and it can even be a little overwhelming. Although your nose will still be swollen, the signs of surgery will have died down and you should be able to return to work or go out socially without it being noticed.

Weeks 3 to 4: By now, the swelling around the rest of your face will have died down but your nose will still feel and look bigger than normal. You may see some subtle colour changes to the skin around the nose as it heals, but your nasal breathing will start to return and it may be better than it was pre-rhinoplasty. 

Weeks 4 to 6: You’ll now feel more like your old self but with a new and improved nose. As the swelling continues to subside, you’ll get a clearer picture of what your nose will look like. You’ll also be able to return to your regular exercise regime.  

Week 6+:  Any loss of sensation you experienced in the nasal skin after surgery will start to return. Much of the swelling will have now subsided, with around 95% of the swelling gone after six months and 97% after one year.   

Rhinoplasty swelling

After reading the recovery timeline, you’ll probably appreciate that swelling after rhinoplasty is inevitable and there are many different swelling stages. The facial trauma during surgery leads to post-operative inflammation and swelling that takes a long time to subside, so you will need to be patient.  

You can expect immediate and long-term swelling after a rhinoplasty procedure. Your nose will be bruised and swollen and you may have dark bruises around your eyes in the first week or two after surgery, and it’s not unusual for the swelling to get worse before it gets better. 

By around four to six weeks, the immediate swelling will have died down and you’ll be left with a less obvious swelling caused by fluid retention under the skin and over the cartilage. That remains while the skin essentially moulds itself over the new shape of your nose. 

Gravity also plays a part in the long-term swelling. You’ll probably notice that the upper nose looks more refined after surgery, while the tip, which is lower down and more affected by gravity, is still quite swollen. Even one year after the procedure, you may still have some swelling, and you won’t see the full results of the procedure until it has completely died down. 

How to reduce swelling after rhinoplasty surgery

Everyone heals differently after rhinoplasty surgery, and the recovery timeline and the amount of swelling you can expect will vary from patient to patient. Attending all your follow-up appointments with your surgeon will help to keep your recovery progressing nicely, but there are also a few other steps you can take to reduce the swelling.

Activity and exercise 

Keep activity and exercise to a minimum in the first few weeks after surgery to control your blood flow and prevent more swelling. Keeping your head above your heart when you’re sleeping and resting can also help. You should avoid bending over as much as possible for the same reason, and please steer clear of anything that carries a risk of bumping your nose, including picking up pets or small children. 

What to eat

When it comes to your diet, the less salt you eat the better, and wash down any salt you do eat with plenty of water. Eating lots of Protein-rich food will help your body repair the damaged tissue and having lots of fruit and veg will ensure you get the nutrients to reduce inflammation and regenerate collagen. A vitamin A, C and K supplement may also be advisable if your diet lacks these essential vitamins. We advise all rhinoplasty patients to avoid alcohol and smoking for at least four weeks after the procedure. 

Medicines

Your surgeon will tell you what pain medications to take, but there are a few things you can do to reduce the swelling. Applying a cold compress to your cheeks (avoiding the nose) in the first three days after surgery can help. There’s also some evidence that arnica or bromelain may reduce the swelling. 

Aftercare and recovery guidance from Enhance Medical Group

From your first consultation to your final follow-up appointment, we guide you through the rhinoplasty procedure and recovery process every step of the way. 12 months of comprehensive aftercare is included in the price of your rhinoplasty procedure, and you’ll receive ongoing support and advice from your surgeon. Book a free consultation to start your rhinoplasty journey with the Enhance Medical Group today.