Rhinoplasty recovery: what to expect week by week

One of the first questions anyone considering rhinoplasty asks is simple: what will the recovery be like? How many days off, when does the swelling go down, when can you go back to the gym or catch a plane and, above all, when do you see the final result.

In this article we explain, week by week, what usually happens after a rhinoplasty performed at Clínica do Nariz e Face, based on the post-operative protocol of Prof. Dr. Miguel Gonçalves Ferreira. Every nose and every person heals differently, so the instructions you receive at the consultation are always the ones that count.

Primary rhinoplasty usually takes between one and a half and two and a half hours and is performed under general anaesthesia. In most cases the patient goes home the same day, usually one to one and a half hours after surgery, on their own feet.

Contrary to what many people expect, you do not leave with your nose blocked by packing. At the end of the surgery you are already breathing through your nose. When they are placed, two small soft silicone tubes inside the nose help keep the airway open. They are well tolerated and you are given an explanation of how to keep them clean.

It is the stage that worries people most, but it is mainly about discomfort rather than pain. In the vast majority of cases paracetamol is enough to control the discomfort. With the anaesthetic and surgical technique we use, bruising around the eyes is uncommon; it is more likely over the age of 40 or in a revision rhinoplasty.

This week, the most important care instructions are:

• Ice on the face several times a day for the first five days. A bag of frozen peas fits the face well.
• Sleep with your head raised, between 30 and 40 degrees, to help the swelling go down.
• Cleaning the tubes and nostrils, as instructed. It is normal for small clots and crusts to form at the entrance of the nose; keeping it clean greatly improves comfort and breathing.
• Ointment on the sutures or on the tip of the nose, as prescribed.
• Soft, cold or lukewarm food, and avoid very hot, spicy or salty food, which increases swelling.
• Do not smoke, avoid very warm environments and, if you sneeze, do it with your mouth open.

Losing small amounts of blood in the first few days is common. If the bleeding is heavy or does not stop, contact the clinic team. If you work at a computer, you can usually work from home the day after surgery. See in detail when you can go back to work after rhinoplasty.

The first post-operative consultation takes place between day 7 and day 10. That is when the splint and the silicone tubes are removed, comfortably. From then on you rinse the nasal passages only with saline or sea water, slowly, a few times a day.

With the splint removed, most people feel comfortable returning to their routine. Those with in-person jobs usually stay about a week at home, and can fly again after 8 to 15 days. During these first two weeks you should continue to sleep with the splint at night, as instructed at the consultation.

Walks are welcome from the start. Moderate physical exercise can be resumed about two weeks after surgery.

The most visible swelling has gone and, to those around you, the nose looks practically normal. Inside, however, healing continues. You may have crusts until week 4 or 5, which come away on their own with the rinses.

At this stage the nose is still relatively mouldable. If a small irregularity or slight deviation appears, the surgeon may recommend massages or taping to correct it. It is also normal for the tip of the nose or the front teeth to feel a little numb; that sensation gradually disappears over the first month.

Until the end of the first month you should avoid strenuous exercise, such as weight training or spinning, and sources of heat on the face, such as saunas or prolonged sun exposure.

The consolidation of the structures of the nose continues until 6 to 8 weeks. That is why, until 6 weeks, you keep taping the bridge of the nose when at home at night and, if possible, avoid wearing glasses until 8 weeks, so they do not press on the bridge.

After the first month you can return to intense exercise. Alcohol and caffeine should be avoided for at least six weeks.

From three months the nose already has a shape very close to the final one, but residual swelling persists, especially at the tip, which slowly disappears over the first year. In large noses, which require more extensive surgery, the final result can take between 6 and 12 months.

If an external incision was made at the base of the nose, you should protect the scar from the sun with sunscreen for the first 12 months. In the vast majority of cases the scar becomes practically imperceptible.

Finally, an important note: the evolution depends on three factors, the surgeon, the patient and each person’s healing capacity. Following the instructions and being patient is part of the result. You can see examples of evolution in our clinical cases.

Is rhinoplasty recovery painful?

It does not usually hurt much. It is more a period of discomfort than of pain, and as a rule paracetamol is enough. You can read more about this in the article Is rhinoplasty recovery painful?

How many days off work will I need?

If you work from home, you can usually work the day after surgery. If your work is in person, in contact with other people, allow about a week at home.

When can I go back to the gym?

Moderate exercise after about two weeks. Intense exercise and heat on the face only after the first month.

When can I fly?

8 to 15 days after surgery, which is useful for anyone coming from outside Porto or living abroad.

When will I see the final result?

The nose looks natural after a few weeks, but the final result is only seen after 6 to 12 months, when the residual swelling disappears.

At Clínica do Nariz e Face, Prof. Dr. Miguel Gonçalves Ferreira follows each patient from the consultation to the end of recovery, with follow-up consultations and written instructions for each stage. You can have your consultation at our rhinoplasty in Porto practice or our rhinoplasty in Bragapractice, and preview the result with a facial simulation.

If you are still comparing options, see our guide on how to choose a rhinoplasty surgeon in Porto.

If you are thinking about rhinoplasty, book your consultation or call +351 915 808 584.

This article is for information purposes only and does not replace a medical consultation. The instructions for your case are always those you receive from your surgeon.