The Four Rhinoplasty Healing Stages

The Four Rhinoplasty Healing Stages

If you’re looking to undergo a rhinoplasty procedure, it’s often overlooked how the healing process works and precisely what is to be expected. Rhinoplasties have an extensive healing period which is why it’s essential to be prepared for that part of the process.

The stages of rhinoplasty healing is a journey and can take up to 1-2 years to see the final result and outcome. Going into the procedure with an understanding of the healing timeline can help you have a more realistic impression of how and when your nose will look as you want it.

Understanding rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasties are often referred to as a ‘nose job,’ and are the cosmetic procedure performed for anyone who requires surgery on their nose for medical and cosmetic purposes.

Rhinoplasty has become one of the most popular surgeries, and for a good reason. By restructuring and reshaping the nose, your facial proportions will align with the rest of your features. However, as rhinoplasty is still a technical and complex procedure that requires considerable skill, it’s important to find a good surgeon with credible experience.

What are the healing stages of rhinoplasty?

The stages of rhinoplasty healing depend on post-surgery factors such as your diet, lifestyle, and care techniques — all can hinder and impact how you recover. For example, using cold packs on your eyes and cheeks is always highly recommended when recovering after your surgery.

Swelling can be further reduced by reducing your physical exercise and increasing your water intake, keeping your head elevated and drinking pineapple juice.

Stick to a clean high-nutrient diet and reduce your salt intake, as it can cause swelling through water retention. Stick to foods that can assist in your healing and recovery with high Vitamin K and Zinc levels. If you love pineapple, then you’re in for a treat — they’ve been proven to reduce the appearance of bruises. By following these steps, your stages of rhinoplasty healing should look like this:

The healing timeline of rhinoplasty

Week 1: Your splint will be removed, and slight bruising with discolouration will be noticed, but it is safe to use cosmetic makeup to cover the bruises. Swelling and puffiness under the eyes are expected, and you may notice your nose is swollen and sore, which is entirely normal. Your nose is very swollen for the first few weeks after the surgery and it looks very ‘piggy’ and ‘fat’. This is just your body recovering from the surgery.

Week 6: Your nose shape may start to define, and it’s during this time you’ll be able to go back to cardio exercises. You’ll begin to notice a difference during this time and feel that your nose is beginning to sit how you envisioned it. When it hits week 6, you can go back to weight training exercises and follow up with your surgeon to ensure everything is running smoothly.

6 months: Any sensitivity or pain you may have felt during the first few months will now have resided at your 6-month mark and your breathing will begin to return to normal.

18 months: Congratulations, the healing process is finally complete! Swelling has reduced and is no longer a prolonged issue, your nose tip is more defined, and your nose has fully conformed to your structured shape.

What are the stages of swelling post rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty swelling stages are a good indicator of how you’re progressing post-operation. Though facial swelling does settle after a few weeks, a few stages still follow before your end result is noticeable. After your first week, your splint will be removed, where you’ll spot the most bruising and swelling. After 4-6 weeks, your nose will be more defined, and patients find their nose to look more normal. Depending on the thickness of your skin and how you recover post-surgery, the final stages of swelling will quickly settle, so then after the first year, your nose will be looking at its best.

As for how long the swelling lasts, it all depends on several factors. Every patient is different, but for rhinoplasty, the patient should find their facial swelling to be reduced after their first-month post-op. They will experience some puffiness, especially underneath the eyes and around the nose bridge, but with special care and patience, the swelling will reduce. The nose change will be more significant 12-18 months later when the bridge and tip of the nose are more defined.

Get in touch with our team today to book your consultation

When it comes to the stages of rhinoplasty healing, you can find the best care, advice and service with Dr Shahidi and his team. Book your consultation online and speak with an Australian trained and qualified Specialist Surgeon who has received the highest qualification awarded to Australian surgeons. You can also view our gallery to see photos of patients pre and post-surgery, and begin your nose journey with us today.