Rhinoplasty provides a wonderful solution to improve both the appearance and function of your nose and nasal passages. Many patients opt for this treatment and enjoy the excellent results it yields for them. In fact, the so-called “nose job” remains one of the most popular and in-demand cosmetic procedures – both for Dr. Shahidi and other surgeons throughout the world.

One of the most common questions patients ask when first considering this procedure is, “what can I expect for my rhinoplasty recovery time?” The answer will vary based on your particular circumstances. However, use this guide to better understand what your recovery will look like after a rhinoplasty procedure.

How Your Rhinoplasty Will Look During Recovery

In general, you can expect your recovery time to proceed as follows:

• Day of Rhinoplasty: On the day of the procedure and first day after, you will experience localised pain, swelling, and bruising. The pain levels and duration will vary based on the extent of your procedure. Ensure you take your prescription pain medication and antibiotics if applicable.

• 1 to 2 Weeks: The initial healing is usually finished by this point, with major swelling and bruising beginning to subside. Many patients feel comfortable enough to return to work at this time.

• 1 to 3 Months: This “intermediate” stage of your recovery will see the bruising and swelling diminish. You may still experience some pain and stiffness. But each day of healing will slowly reduce these symptoms.

• 1 Year: You should be almost healed by the end of your first year with the final, beautiful changes to your nose completed.

Your precise rhinoplasty recovery timeline will vary based on your treatment plan, skin and skin thickness, overall physical health, age, and other factors. Once you sit down for your consultation with Dr. Shahidi, you can better understand what to expect. That way, you can make a fully informed decision on whether the procedure is right for you.

A Few Helpful Rhinoplasty Recovery Tips

To help facilitate improved healing and reduced recovery time, check out a few tips to follow after your operation.

• Listen to Your Doctor on Medicines to Avoid: You may be instructed to cease the use of prescription drugs or over-the-counter blood thinners such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Ensure you stop use of these medications based on your doctor’s recommendations.

• Quit Smoking: Smoking can lead to additional complications including a greatly extended healing time. In some cases, you may not be a candidate for the procedure if you’re a smoker.

• Use cold compress: These are a great way to help reduce the swelling.

• Minimise Physical Activity: You can avoid several complications early on by minimising exercise and other physical exertion. Follow your doctor’s recommendation on when you can return to regular physical activity.

• Change Your Dressings Regularly: Make sure to keep your incision sites and other areas involved in the treatment clean and disinfected. Remember to regularly change your bandages and dressings as instructed by your doctor.

Whichever situation you find yourself in, a rhinoplasty can help you look better, feel better, and even breathe better. The team here are ready to help you get the results you need.

Have a look at some of the rhinoplasty before and after pictures to see how this procedure has helped other patients. And if you’d like to learn more about the procedure, get in touch with Dr Shahidi’s office today to schedule your no-obligation consultation.