What happens on the operating table is not the only thing that determines the result of a rhinoplasty. The recovery period demands at least as much attention as the planning, and the truth is this: a nose measures its result not in days but in months. Below we set out that timetable stage by stage.
The first 48 hours
A blocked nose, a feeling of tightness in the face and swelling around the eyes are expected findings in this period. The following is usually recommended:
- Rest with your head above heart level; sleep on a high pillow.
- Apply cold in the way your surgeon has advised.
- Take your medication as prescribed, and do not add anything on your own initiative.
- Do not wipe or blow your nose, and do not press on it.
The first week
The splint is usually removed at the end of this week. The nose you see when the splint comes off is not the result itself; the swelling is still considerable. The discolouration around the eyes begins to clear noticeably during this period.
A return to desk work is usually discussed after this week. The decision, though, is based on what is found at the follow-up appointment.
Weeks two to four
The visible part of the swelling subsides during this period. The contours of the nose begin to emerge, but the tip is the last area to settle. Points to bear in mind during these weeks:
- Keep to the period your surgeon has given you for wearing glasses.
- Avoid long exposure to direct sunlight, and ask about using sun protection.
- Avoid heavy lifting, bending over and exercise that raises the heart rate.
The third month
Most people reach a clarity at this stage that they are happy with in everyday life. Even so, fine swelling continues at the tip and along the bridge; noticing a difference between morning and evening is quite normal.
The sixth month and the first year
The tissues settle, the swelling largely resolves and the nose approaches its permanent form. In people with thicker skin this process can take longer. For that reason the result is assessed — and any revision discussed — usually at the earliest at the end of the first year.
The main factors that affect healing
- Skin thickness: it directly affects how quickly the swelling resolves.
- Smoking: it has an adverse effect on the blood supply to the tissue; keep to the period your surgeon gives you.
- Sleep and diet: these make a difference to how the swelling progresses.
- Attending your check-ups: a problem noticed early is far easier to manage.
The timetable differs from person to person. The periods given here are a general framework; your own course will be shaped by your own examination findings.
This article is for general information; diagnosis, treatment and the choice of technique are decided individually only after a medical examination. The timings and processes described here vary from person to person.