Rhinoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure, on average the surgery lasts about 2 hours and the patient may expect to stay in the surgical facility for a few hours after surgery.
Most patients find the recovery period to be better than expected. There is always some facial pressure, nasal congestion and swelling.
Bruising is variable between patients. Patients recovering from rhinoplasty typically need 2 weeks for bruising and swelling to go down. Again, this can vary on the patient.
While most patients can work from home after a few days, the average “social downtime” is 10 – 14 days.
With all this downtime, it’s important to find the timing for rhinoplasty that fits with your schedule.
Finding Time for the Procedure
The best timing for your rhinoplasty varies depending on the type of surgery you are getting and your lifestyle.
Students, for instance, often have their nose jobs over the summer so they don’t have to deal with recovery during classes, exams, and social activities.
Parents, on the other hand, may wait until school starts when their kids are in class, leaving them with more time to rest.
Maximizing rest is an important aspect of recovery.
In normal times, many people opt to have their surgeries before long weekends or holidays to maximize recovery time and avoid time off work.
Downtime Recovery: Open VS Closed Rhinoplasty
Everyone’s body has its own unique factors that influence their rhinoplasty recovery time.
Still, we are able to give patients a window of how long they can expect their recovery to take.
For instance, most visible signs of rhinoplasty, bruising and swelling, usually fade within 2 weeks. Nasal congestion can last a little longer.
Ultimately, the biggest distinction in how long your recovery takes depends on the extent of the surgery and your natural healing ability. Some people are more prone to easy bleeding or bruising based on genetics.
Although it is somewhat controversial in the surgical community, it is generally thought that a closed rhinoplasty will have a quicker recovery in terms of swelling as compared to open rhinoplasty.
Generally, surgeons use an open approach for more complex noses so we don’t really know if the increased swelling is from the open approach itself or from the extent of surgery needed in these more complicated noses.
Open Rhinoplasty Recovery
During an open approach, a tiny incision is made in the skin between the nostrils in an area called the columella.
Open rhinoplasty gives the surgeon greater access to the surgery site. The incision is made on the outside of the nose, allowing for greater access to the entire nose structure – from the bridge to the tip.
This approach is often used for structural and aesthetic reasons, or for revision rhinoplasty.
While it offers more options, it also has a longer recovery time.
External bruising usually reduces within 2 weeks. Nasal swelling goes down gradually and is most pronounced in the tip area.
Most of the swelling goes down in the first few months but it can take a year or more to see the final result. This swelling is subtle and not noticeable to the outside world but definitely to the patient and surgeon.
The incisions made at the base of the nose are small and hidden, but it can take a year for the scar to fade completely.
Closed Rhinoplasty Recovery
Closed rhinoplasty is less invasive and thus has a shorter recovery time.
The incisions are made inside of the nose, so there is no visible scarring. Most patients during the recovery period have a similar period of bruising of 1-2 weeks. Swelling especially in the tip area, however, tends to be shorter than with an open approach. You are able to see your results faster.
The drawback of closed rhinoplasty is that with the reduced exposure it may not be appropriate for more complicated noses.
Ultimately you want the best result possible and the approach used is less important than the outcome. When you consult with your rhinoplasty surgeon, they can help assess whether open or closed rhinoplasty is most appropriate for you. As well as what sort of recovery you might expect.
Take Time to Research Rhinoplasty Surgeons & Clinics
Getting the right clinic and surgeon for your nose job is important.
You need a place whose methods, skillsets, and capabilities mesh with your needs. The best results start with choosing the right rhinoplasty surgeon.
Prepare in advance by looking at reviews and asking to see a portfolio of past work. An ideal plastic surgeon has worked on similar noses to yours and produced the sorts of results you are looking for.
The clinic itself is also important.
You want to make sure that it is clean, organized, and accessible. Is there a reliable way for you to get to and from your appointments? Do you feel comfortable and confident in the provided environment?
Schedule a Virtual Consultation
Take advantage of virtual consultations and save time on your search for the best rhinoplasty surgeon for your nose job. Rhinoplasty Toronto is currently offering our patients virtual consults to assess their needs quickly and conveniently.