Rhinoplasty swelling - what to expect during the rhinoplasty healing process

UsefulRhinoplastyInformation.com is intended as a helpful resource for people considering nose surgery, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

The healing process for rhinoplasty surgery, as with many forms of cosmetic surgery, can be long and uncomfortable as it causes a lot of facial trauma. The amount of post-operative bruising and swelling will vary from patient to patient. Mostly this will be down to the extent of work that was done and the technique that was used, for instance patients that had the nasal bone broken and reset normally have the most severe swelling and open rhinoplasty will cause greater swelling than closed rhinoplasty. But there is a common pattern that all patients can expect to follow.

The worst of the swelling, naturally, occurs immediately after surgery and will peak at two to three days. While the nasal area will obviously be the part worst affected, patients may also find the rest of their face is also quite puffy, particularly around the eyes. The swelling will cause a lot of discomfort but should be more uncomfortable than unbearable, and medication will be prescribed by your doctor to relieve the pain during this sensitive period. Surgical tape and a splint will usually be applied over the nose which helps compress the swelling and prevents the build up of fluid and scar tissue beneath the skin. The rhinoplasty surgeon may also advise the use of cold compresses in the week following surgery, which can help reduce swelling and sooth the discomfort.

By the time the rhinoplasty splint is removed, which is normally at the post operative check up a week after surgery, the swelling and bruising should already be greatly improved. After a couple of weeks the puffiness should be barely visible to a casual observer. However, it takes several weeks or often even months for the swelling to disappear completely. While this may make the patient a little self conscious about the visibility of their cosmetic procedure, it is highly unlikely that the swelling is at all noticeable to anyone other than a plastic surgeon and the patient themselves. The swelling should be gone by 9 to 12 months after the rhinoplasty operation, by which time the finished result of the procedure should finally become apparent.

There are factors which can influence the amount of time it takes for the swelling to completely go down after rhinoplasty surgery. Patients with thicker skin - which often includes certain ethnic groups such as African Americans - tend to have more swelling which can increase recovery time. Steroid injections are sometimes given to speed recovery. Too much sun exposure can prolong the length of time the nose remains swollen, as increased sensitivity makes the area particularly sensitive to the sun’s rays (sun block must be worn at all times following surgery). Failing to follow post operative instructions to sleep in an elevated position or abstain from vigorous exercise can also perpetuate the swelling.

If you are at all concerned that the amount of swelling you are experiencing after nose surgery falls outside the normal range for the length of time it has been since the procedure, it is important that you get in touch with your surgeon. A list of contact numbers should have been given to you before being discharged after surgery.