After a cosmetic surgery procedure, such as a nose job, the days leading up to your recovery can come with some discomfort.

This is the same with any type of surgery.

And when agreeing to an optional cosmetic procedure, any reputable surgeon or doctor will discuss the side effects with the patient beforehand.

This is why it’s only in very rare cases that a patient will experience a symptom or side effect that they were not already made aware of.

If you’ve made the decision to have a nose job, post-surgery, you will have a few days of mild discomfort.

The most common side effects or symptoms you will experience after a nose job are:

• bruising
• swelling
• congestion
• or slight difficulty breathing due to a blocked nose passage

If you have had your nose job procedure completed by a reputable surgeon, and following good post-op care, you can expect a speedy recovery.

This means you’ll be back to your normal life in no time at all.

What is the recovery time of a nose job?

There are two main factors that affect the recovery time of a nose job.

These depend on:

• the method of surgery, i.e. an open or closed rhinoplasty
• and the level of post-operative care provided by your surgeon/doctor

The method of surgery has an impact on recovery time as a closed rhinoplasty is less invasive than an open rhinoplasty.

This means that a close rhinoplasty typically has a shorter recovery time than an open rhinoplasty.

What can I expect during nose job recovery?

It’s important to understand what your recovery journey will be like if you’re still undecided on whether to have a nose job.

Having an understanding of the recovery process may help you to decide if the surgery is right for you.

After surgery

When your procedure is complete, your surgeon will place a nasal splint (cast) on or inside your nose.

This will all depend on whether an internal or an external splint is used.

The splint is used to give the nose support while it heals, and is typically removed a week after the surgery.

For the first couple of days post-surgery, you will be expected to wear a piece of gauze under your nose.

This gauze is there to ensure that any excess fluid and blood is absorbed.

The gauze will need to be changed every 6 hours when you’re back at home, following your procedure.

As is one of the symptoms, in most cases you will experience bruising and swelling after a nose job.

At around day 3 post-surgery, the swelling will have reached its highest point.

This is very normal, and you can help to reduce the swelling by using a cold compress around your eyes and nose.

This will also help to reduce bruising.

For those who undergo some form of nose surgery, they are usually pleasantly surprised by the discomfort levels post-op.

Most people only experience mild discomfort from the swelling and bruising, and this typically only lasts for the first week after rhinoplasty.

This pain can also easily be relieved by over-the-counter pain medications.

Many people also experience congestion or a stuffy nose due to the swelling.

This can cause breathing difficulties, but as the days go by, this will ease, along with the swelling.

A doctor will also recommend only eating soft foods for the first few days post-surgery, as harder foods can make chewing quite uncomfortable.

Patients are also advised to elevate their head whilst they sleep using additional pillows.

This is to ensure that the airways are clear and do not get congested, which could lead to breathing difficulties.

At the end of your first week post-op, you will be asked to arrange a visit to your doctor. This is where the splint will be removed.

This will be the first main step to a full recovery, as breathing through your nose will become much easier without the splint in place.

Daily maintenance

A few weeks post-surgery, you’ll notice the swelling and bruising will start to fade, and it’ll be much less obvious that you’ve had a nose job.

At this stage, you will likely be in a position to return to work.

The only way this will not typically be possible is if your job involves strenuous activity or heavy lifting, as this should still be avoided.

It is also recommended that you limit sun exposure at this stage post-surgery, as your skin will be hugely sensitive after the procedure.

Resuming normal life

Around 2-3 months after your nose surgery, each day you’ll notice your nose becoming more defined as the swelling continues to decrease.

Your nose should have nearly fully healed at this stage, so you’ll mostly be back to a normal routine.

You will, however, still have to avoid contact sports.

Top tips to dealing with the nose job recovery process

It is typically recommended that you take at least a week off from work to fully recover from your nose job.

The best thing you can do to encourage the recovery process is to take plenty of rest after your surgery.

It’s also very important to visit all of your follow up appointments.

This is because a doctor will be able to keep you up to date of the progress of your recovery, and highlight any concerns.

To make sure you don’t delay your recovery, you should:

• avoid injuring your nose in any way
• not mess with your stitches
• don’t drink alcohol
• stop smoking
• and make sure not to miss any follow-up appointments

Drinking alcohol and smoking are big ‘no-no’s’ when it comes to nose surgery.

Drinking alcohol after the procedure can have very detrimental impacts on your recovery, as the nose is very susceptible to alcohol-related swelling.

If your nose swells, this will cause a lot of pain and it will take longer to recuperate.

All surgeons will recommend you stop smoking following your procedure too.

If you continue to smoke throughout your surgical process, the following complications may result in:

• delayed or improper healing
• skin loss or necrosis, a type of skin cell death
• excessive scarring
• constricted blood vessels (caused by nicotine)
• oxygen and blood flow is reduced to the treatment area
• obstruction of the airways
• an increased risk of a reaction to anaesthesia
• poor results or asymmetry of the nose
• excessive bleeding
• and even increased risk of infection

To ensure that you have the most sound advice ahead of your surgery, it’s important to undergo your procedure with a reputable aesthetic centre.

If you decide on a procedure with the team here at MedicoTrips, you can ensure that you are being looked after at every step of the way.

We have worked with Dr Abdullah Etöz, associate clinical doctor of Plastic Surgery at Acıbadem Hospital Groups in İstanbul, for many years.

He is responsible for all of our cosmetic procedures at MedicoTrips, and has many years of experience in the field.

Dr Etöz has completed medical qualifications from Selçuk University School of Medicine and a surgical residency at Uludağ University. He is therefore well-versed in a variety of cosmetic treatments.

Whilst you are in good hands with your surgery, the team at MedicoTrips are also on hand to make you feel at ease before and after your procedure.

We will give you peace of mind you need, answering any questions you may have about your surgery, so you can ensure it’s the right step for you.

If you’re considering a nose job, and would like more information, we are on hand to help you.

A member of the MedicoTrips team can discuss the options you have in more detail, so please call +44 (0) 121 288 4552.