Nose Job Recovery Timeline

By Mike Igi | June 4, 2022

Surgeons perform over 200,000 rhinoplasties every year. It’s one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures because of how much confidence it can give someone. 

Your nose is also a huge part of your respiratory system. Your doctor may suggest altering the shape of your nose if you’re having breathing problems. 

No matter why you go in for a procedure, it will come with a nose job recovery time. You’ll have to take it easy and follow your surgeon’s instructions to the letter if you want to bounce back from surgery faster. 

We can tell you how long the process will take. Check out this guide for a complete run-down. 

How Long Does It Take To Heal From Rhinoplasty?

The average nose job recovery time is a single year. After the first week, your doctor will check the state of your nose and decide if it’s a good idea to remove the splint. 

You’ll have some bruising around your nose and eyes, but you should be okay to go back to your regular activities. This being said, you still shouldn’t overdo it and limit the amount of time you spend in the sun. 

During the second week, most of your swelling should be gone. When you hit weeks three and six, you can start going to the gym again. 

Week six marks your ability to start performing strenuous activity again, but you’ll need to get the all-clear from your doctor first. 

After three to six months, you should no longer have any numbness or pain in your nose. 

When you get to the one-year mark, the healing process is finished. Any redness and swelling you still had should be a thing of the past now. If you’re still experiencing issues, consult your surgeon.  

Speeding Along the Process

There are a few things that you’re going to have to do to keep your nose job recovery timeline on the right track. 

If you decide to throw your surgeon’s care instructions in the garbage without following them, it will only set you back. 

Follow Your Surgeon’s Care Instructions

When you get out of surgery, your doctor will give you a list of care instructions before they send you on your way. Follow them to the letter. 

You should also book meetings with this service every now and again. They will be able to give you advice and prescribe medication that will keep you on the right recovery track. 

Keep an Eye Out for Side Effects

For the first week of your nose job recovery, you’ll have some bruising under your eyes and around the nose area. Swelling is also pretty normal. What isn’t normal is if it doesn’t go away. 

If your face is still bruised and swollen after two weeks, it’s time for you to talk to your doctor. You should also call your surgeon if you’re experiencing extreme soreness and pain. 

Elevate Your Head

We know that it’s not exactly comfortable, but for the first few weeks after your nose job procedure, you’ll have to elevate your head. 

That means sleeping in an upright position. If you roll onto your side, you could damage your nose. 

Use a Cold Compress

For a day or two after your surgery, a cold compress will do wonders for keeping swelling down and reducing redness. 

If you decide to use one, be sure not to hold it directly against your nose. Doing so could damage your cartridge and shift the tiny bones in your nose out of place. Put the compress on your cheeks instead. 

Get Some Rest

We won’t lie; getting a nose job will cause you to experience some congestion. Even so, you need to do your best to sleep. 

Your body is going to need plenty of energy to heal. It won’t be able to repair itself if you don’t rest. 

Watch Your Diet

You should already be eating a healthy diet, but it becomes even more crucial when you’re recovering from surgery. Your body will need the nutrients to bounce back. 

Make sure to eat plenty of protein. It will help the tissue around your nose rebuild itself. 

Consuming foods that are high in vitamins A, C, and D will make it easier for your body to fight off infections that come from major and minor surgeries. 

Keep Yourself Cool

Everyone loves hot showers, but you should hold off while you’re recovering from a nose job. The heat will cause the tissue in your nose to swell even more than it already is. 

Don’t Blow Your Nose 

The last recovery tip we have for you is sort of an obvious one. Try not to blow your nose. 

We know the temptation will be there. The swelling and congestion that comes from getting a nose job are enough to fill anyone with the urge to grab a tissue. 

Right now, your nasal passages are too sensitive for it, though. Give it six months before you start blowing your nose again. In the meantime, your doctor can give you a nasal spray that will help. 

Follow These Nose Job Recovery Steps 

Getting a rhinoplasty is a great way to give you a boost of confidence and clear up any respiratory issues caused by a mishappen nose. Even though it’s minor surgery, it will take some time for you to bounce back. 

If you want everything to go as smoothly as possible, you’ll need to follow the nose job recovery instructions given to you by your surgeon. Ignoring your doctor is the fastest way to experience complications. 

For more information on nose jobs, visit the Mind & Body section of our blog.