If you are looking to restructure and reshape your nose and have decided to have rhinoplasty, you likely have questions about your recovery. Unlike with other cosmetic surgical procedures, such as a tummy tuck, that require time to heal before you can return to normal activities, rhinoplasty recovery is more focused on how long the facial bruising and swelling take to subside when your appearance begins to return to normal. The good news is that nose job recovery follows a predictable recovery timetable that allows you to better understand rhinoplasty swelling and what to expect as your new nose is revealed. However, it is important to understand that your new nose may look worse before the new results are revealed.
Swelling is not Limited to the Nose
While every person is different and the amount of swelling that occurs will depend on the extent of work performed during the rhinoplasty procedure, swelling of the nose and the surrounding facial tissue is normal and expected. In fact, your new nose may appear larger and misshapen during the healing process, especially the tip of the nose where swelling is often more prominent. In addition, you will likely experience bruising on the nose, cheeks, upper lip, and under the eyes. Swelling and bruising will often get worse before it gets better. This is all normal and expected.
Recovery Timeline and the Reveal of Your New Nose
Most of the swelling and bruising after rhinoplasty will begin to improve within the first week or so, with most patients returning close to “normal” within three to four weeks. Subtle swelling may last for up to three months, though is likely to only be noticed by the patient. At this point, you can see the initial results of your rhinoplasty, however, it can take a year or longer for your nose to completely settle into its final position.
The nose is the focal point of the face and rhinoplasty allows you to reshape and restructure the nose to achieve your desired goals. While recovery can take some time, you should see results within a few weeks as the swelling subsides.
Waleed Ezzat, M.D., F.A.C.S. is double board-certified in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and otolaryngology/head and neck surgery. He operates under the philosophy that natural beauty is the best kind of beauty. Dr. Ezzat addresses each aesthetic or reconstructive challenge by considering the whole facial anatomy rather than focusing on one isolated area. This comprehensive approach maintains a goal of fully functional and natural-looking results that fit perfectly within each individual’s unique genetic makeup.
