While rhinoplasty is a relatively complex medical procedure, the recovery process is actually quite brief and not too uncomfortable for most people. Minor pain, swelling, bruising, soreness and congestion is common. These are usually the only post-op discomforts that most people experience. Recovery times vary and depend on the individual’s ability to heal and the level of pain tolerance.
The complexity of the surgery and adherence to the after-care instructions are also factors that contribute to how quickly you can expect to heal from a rhinoplasty. Dr. Andrew Jacono, MD is a dual-board-certified facial surgeon; he specializes in reconstruction and plastic surgery and is a worldwide industry leader in his respective field. He has patented a Quick Recovery Rhinoplasty that minimizes incision lines and does not require the nose to be broken during the surgery. He does not pack the nose after surgery, and he prescribes a holistic home-healing routine that aids in speeding up the recovery process. Here is an expected timeline for your healing phase following traditional rhinoplasty surgery.
Immediately Following Surgery
It is important not to worry or stress when you see your face immediately after surgery. Your overall appearance is not an indication of what you will look like. Immediately after the procedure, you can expect to have a very swollen face with a wide-looking nose. Additionally, the space between the tip of your nose and your mouth will look considerably longer than before the operation. Your nose may also look unnaturally lifted.
Weeks 1 And 2 After Surgery
You should expect to be out of work or school for a week or two after having rhinoplasty. To help aid in the healing process, you should follow your plastic surgeon’s orders for post-op care. You will need to relax and get plenty of rest in the week or two after surgery. Ice your nose regularly, per your doctor’s orders, and sleep in a propped-up position in bed or in your favourite recliner. After a week or two, your doctor will want to see you in the office for a post-op appointment. During this appointment, the healing process will be assessed. You will likely be able to have the splint removed, and you will be able to see your nose for the first time since before the surgery.
Weeks 2 To 4 Following Surgery
During this phase of the recovery, you can really begin to see your new nose taking shape. As you get closer to the one-month mark after surgery, most of the swelling and bruising should have subsided. Your nose will begin to appear as if it is shrinking in overall size; the post-op wideness is diminishing day by day. You may begin to develop some bumps and hard surfaces. This is completely normal and happens as a result of your cartilage and tissue repairing, regenerating and taking on its new shape. The tip of your nose will continue to descend into its natural new position. Your normal breathing will be restored, and you may even notice a significant improvement in sinus breathing. It is important to note that your nose may still feel a bit numb a month after surgery.
3 Months After Surgery
By this phase of the healing process, almost all of the swelling is gone. The tip of the nose is the very last area to decrease in size and swelling. The tip should be the only part of the nose that is still slightly enlarged. The tip of the nose has also dropped by this point, and you can now see the new size and shape of your new nose and its new position on your face. At this phase, you will most likely get your doctor’s approval to resume your normal activities, including exercise. To continue to prevent trauma to the nose, you will want to refrain from being involved with high-impact or risky activities that may damage the nose and require corrective surgery. Your nose will take an additional three to six months to fully heal, so you may want to refrain from doing any strenuous or high-risk activities until the one-year mark has passed.
The overall healing time for rhinoplasty is generally fast. The pain and discomfort are also typically minimal compared to other medical procedures and plastic surgery operations. With all of this in mind, it is important to remember that it is still a complex surgery. It is critical to adhere to your plastic surgeon’s specific instructions before and after the surgery for the best results, to speed up your recovery and to reduce the possibility of experiencing complications.
Dr. Andrew Jacono, MDis considered to be one of the best rhinoplasty surgeons in the world by his colleagues and patients. He is honoured to be one of only 139 elite members of the International Rhinoplasty Society. This prestigious society is reserved for surgeons who have proven to be industry leaders in producing top-notch results, are creating innovative ways of performing rhinoplasty and have an elite and extensive list of satisfied patients.
During your consultation, Dr. Jacono will perform a thorough examination of your nose. He will take into consideration your desired results, age, ethnicity and skin type, and he will notate any structural damage or deformities. Digital photography with computer imaging technology is combined to give you a unique morphing of your current nose with the anticipated results using Dr. Jacono’s unique surgical procedure. Every rhinoplasty patient gets their own unique result that is not a cookie-cutter outcome. You can find out more about a world-renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Andrew Jacono, here: www.newyorkfacialplasticsurgery.com.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.
