How Long Does Rhinoplasty Take To Heal

Rhinoplasty, commonly called a nose job, is a surgery to change or rebuild the nose. Rhinoplasty is a major surgery involving a crucial part of your respiratory system.  Recovery time is a massive part of the transformation and a common question patients have. This article looks to answer how long rhinoplasty takes to heal and what you can do to make a recovery faster. 

How long does it take to recover from nose surgery?

It takes 3 months for the nose to heal after the rhinoplasty surgery. However, the nose will not look completely normal as the bone and cartilage are still settling. The final results of your rhinoplasty will be fully evident within 1 year.

What are the healing stages of rhinoplasty?

The rhinoplasty healing process happens in these stages:

Initial Stage

Initial stage happens in the first week after the rhinoplasty surgery. At this stage, your surgeon removes the splint from the nose. However, you will keep feeling bruising and swelling.

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Small Activity Stage

The small activity stage of healing after rhinplasty spreads from the 2 to 4 week. In this stage, your bruising and swelling are decreased, and you will be able to perform small activities like cardiovascular exercise.  

Heavy Activity Stage 

Heavy activity stage of healing after the rhinplasty surgey takes between 6 to 12 weeks. You can perform heavy exercises like resistance workouts and strength training at this stage.

Normal to Completely Normal Stage 

The normal to completely normal stage of healding after rhinoplasty lasts 6 months to 1 year. At this stage, all of the numbness and skin sensations disappear, and you can resume your daily routine.  

Rhinoplasty healing Timeline

If you’re considering rhinoplasty in Dubai, knowing how long rhinoplasty takes to heal will help you prepare to avoid inconveniences or emergencies. This healing process can be explained as a timeline. 

Healing on the Day of rhinoplasty surgery

Immediately after your anesthesia wears off, you will feel dizzy and pain in the nose. Your doctor will fit you with a nasal splint to keep the nose in place. You may also find it hard to breathe through your nose. Your day should consist of nothing but bed rest. Your surgeon will prescribe painkillers to ease the pain.

Healing after the First Few Days 

You will still feel pain, bruising, and swelling around the nose, cheeks, and eyes. Your surgeon will remove the splint and dressing on the nose. They will prescribe more painkillers as needed. Your surgeon will advise you on how to ice an injury to decrease swelling and reduce pain. 

Recovery after A Few Weeks 

Recovery becomes steady after a few weeks of the rhinoplasty because your nose starts settling. The swelling should have decreased considerably, and you can use makeup to cover the bruising. You may still feel pain and pressure from blowing your nose or wearing your glasses. Your doctor may authorize normal activities after 6 to 10 weeks. 

Recovery after Six Months 

The pain is almost negligible at this time. The swelling is almost entirely down. Skin sensitivity issues such as tenderness and numbness have also resolved after six months. If these issues with sensation persist, bring them up at your next appointment with your surgeon. 

Recovery after One Year 

In this time, the bones and cartilage in your nose have entirely settled. Your breathing has cleared, and there is no swelling or bruising. Your nose shape is as you intended. 

Tips For Fast Healing of The Nost After Rhinoplasty 

  • Rhinoplasty takes time to heal naturally, but here are some tips that can speed up your recovery:
  • Don’t wear glasses in the beginning weeks after surgery. The pressure of glasses presses down on your nose delaying recovery.
  • Avoid blowing your nose. Doing so will rapture blood vessels and skin. 
  • Eat a healthy and balanced diet. This will provide the nutrients needed to rebuild tissue and fight off infections during healing. 
  • Avoid heavy exercises.
  • Take a lot of rest and keep your head elevated. The elevation will prevent fluid flow to your nose.  
  • Use sunscreen whenever you go outside. 

Read this article for more in-depth tips for faster rhinoplasty recovery

Conclusion

Rhinoplasty looks to give you the nose you always wanted. A highly experienced surgeon like Dr. Tarek will ensure your recovery is swift for your type of rhinoplasty. Keeping up with your consultation makes it easy to catch abnormalities during healing and resolve them early. The tips in this article will ease your recovery in no time. 

Dr. Tarek Bayazid is one of Dubai’s premier plastic surgeons known for his exemplary work, especially in facial rejuvenation and body contouring. He provides a wide selection of the most sought-after aesthetic procedures of today. His patient-focused approach and dedication to being at the forefront of his expertise have resulted in unsurpassed outcomes for his clients.

Book a consultation with Dr. Tarek. He will review the cost of rhinoplasty with you in addition to a personalized recovery timeline for you. He is a member of the most prestigious Plastic Surgery Societies worldwide: the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), the Emirates Plastic Surgery Society (EPSS), and the Melbourne Advanced Facial Anatomy Course (MAFAC)

Frequently asked questions

Different patients will have slightly different recoveries because all bodies are not the same. Factors affecting the recovery process include: 

  • Your blood’s ability to clot. 
  • The surgical technique used.
  • Your skin’s texture and thickness.

The tip of the nose is typically the last part to fully recover. The tip has the thickest skin and cartilage. It may take up to a year to fully mold into its new shape.

Revision rhinoplasty looks to rectify damage from a previous nose job. It involves separating and cutting skin, bone, and scar tissue operated on previously. A revision nose job takes longer to recover from than a regular nose job. In some cases, it may take longer than a year for the final results to show.