The downtime required after rhinoplasty is fairly short.
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that can improve both the function and appearance of the nose. The surgery can be performed in order to fix structural defects or simply change the shape and size of your nose for an enhanced aesthetic.
Rhinoplasty is performed by a surgeon with specialised training in facial plastic surgery techniques. The length of your recovery will depend on many factors, including your individual anatomy, the extent and complexity of your surgical procedure, and your overall health during the healing period.
Read on to find out how long it usually takes to recover from rhinoplasty surgery, as well as what side effects to expect after treatment…
How long does the recovery take?
Although each patient is different, you should ideally plan to take around two weeks off work. During your first week, you will begin to feel gradually better over time. You should be able to resume most of your normal day-to-day activities after around a week to ten days, and you will probably feel back to normal within a month. Your surgeon may recommend that you avoid strenuous exercise for between four and six weeks after treatment.
One of the side effects of rhinoplasty surgery is swelling. This swelling can take up to a year to completely resolve, although it will be less noticeable after around two months.
What are the side effects of rhinoplasty?
After your rhinoplasty procedure, you can expect some swelling and bruising at the site of surgery, as well as around the eyes. This bruising can last up to two weeks. You will be required to wear an external nasal splint for your first week of recovery and often at night for up to six weeks.
Like any surgical treatment, rhinoplasty is associated with some potential risks, probably less than most other surgeries actually. These include bleeding and infection. Some of the risks of rhinoplasty specifically include usually temporary numbness of the skin of the nose; and nosebleeds. The most important risk is undergoing a rhinoplasty and not being happy with the result. This is why choosing your surgeon carefully is so important. These risks and potential complications will be explained by your surgeon at your consultation and you should feel comfortable with this before considering surgery.
When will you see the results?
Although side effects like bruising and swelling will resolve with time, it can take many months or even up to a year to see the final refined results of your rhinoplasty. The healing process takes time, and it is important to understand this before going ahead with the surgery. As the swelling subsides though, you will gradually begin to see how your procedure has enhanced your overall facial appearance and balance.
How can we help?
Dr Sophie Ricketts offers a number of procedures designed to improve the appearance of the face, including rhinoplasty. If you are concerned about the appearance of your nose or have functional problems that you would like resolved, we encourage you to come in for a consultation. Dr Ricketts will discuss your concerns and expectations with you and let you know if you are a suitable candidate for treatment. She will explain the details of the procedure to you, as well as what to expect from the recovery period.
During your consultation, you will have photographs taken, including some with a 3D camera — this allows Dr Ricketts to simulate the changes of your nose so that you see what you can expect from your final results. This is also helpful in showing you the limitations of the procedure to ensure that your expectations are realistic.
If you would like to find out more about the rhinoplasty procedure and what the process involves, please have a look here.
If you are ready to arrange a consultation with Dr Sophie Ricketts, please don’t hesitate to get in touch here.
Dr Ricketts offers a comprehensive range of cosmetic procedures for the face, breast and body. To see her full list of services, please have a look here.
