A rhinoplasty, more commonly known as a “nose job,” is a surgery that people have for many reasons beyond cosmetics. Sometimes the surgery is used to improve breathing or repair other injuries or birth defects. Those considering the surgery will likely want to thoroughly understand the recovery time before deciding to get the procedure.
It’s increasing in popularity. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimates that 1.6 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 2023. According to those same statistics, facial procedures, including rhinoplasty, increased by 5% to 6%.
“While many people think of rhinoplasty as simply changing the way the nose looks, it’s actually a highly customized procedure that requires a detailed understanding of facial balance, nasal anatomy and breathing function. The procedure involves carefully refining the underlying bone and cartilage framework through techniques such as cartilage grafting, precise sculpting and strategic suture placement,” says Dr. David Lieberman, double board-certified plastic surgeon and medical director at L&P Aesthetics in California.
Here’s what rhinoplasty patients can expect post-op.
Pre-nose job surgery considerations
To ensure recovery will be reasonable and the surgery successful, Lieberman shares that plastic surgeons carefully evaluate candidates to determine who the procedure will be best for. “Ideal candidates are generally healthy adults who have completed facial growth, do not smoke and have realistic expectations about what surgery can achieve. During a consultation, we evaluate each patient’s nasal anatomy, breathing function and aesthetic goals to determine the approach that is best suited for them,” he says. Some people are getting a rhinoplasty to revise a previous similar procedure. Others have a crooked nose or trouble breathing, he adds.
“Understanding the recovery timeline is essential when patients prepare for this surgical journey,” he says.
The recovery timeline
Recovery starts right away, but full recovery can take up to a year. Here’s what to expect at each stage, according to Lieberman:
- Days one to three. The most difficult days, when sutures are in place, there’s a cast on the nose and patients might have bruising, pressure or discomfort.
- Days three to six. Patients can expect improvements in discomfort, and on the sixth day the cast and sutures come off. There will still be swelling.
- Days seven to 10. Most patients start to return to normal routines.
- Weeks six to eight. The rest of the swelling resolves.
- Months two to 12. Subtle reductions in swelling, softening of the nasal structure, slight descent of the nasal tip height and revealing all the subtle shadows and facets that “make a nose beautiful.”
The ASPS notes that rhinoplasties and recovery can differ between men and women because of skin thickness. Men typically have thicker skin near the tip of their nose, making swelling more common during their recovery. It also says the method of the actual surgery can impact recovery. For patients who have an open rhinoplasty, where an incision is made between the nostrils, swelling and bruising can be more prominent. A closed rhinoplasty is completed inside the nose, eliminating an external scar.
Tips for rhinoplasty recovery
This is a great time to rest, listen to your body and try to keep pain under control with the help of your physician. Lieberman shares that most questions arise in the first two weeks, and people should reach out to their doctors with anxieties or questions during that period or anytime through recovery.
Also, don’t stress too much about pain during recovery. “Most patients report only mild discomfort, usually for the first few days, which is typically well managed with prescribed medication, rest and cool compresses,” Lieberman says.
Consider your surgeon choice carefully. “My advice is to look for a surgeon who is board-certified in facial plastic surgery or plastic surgery, performs rhinoplasty regularly and has a portfolio of natural, consistent results that align with your goals,” Lieberman says. “Rhinoplasty can have a profound impact, not only on the way someone looks, but also on their confidence and how they show up in the world.”