Perhaps you have a nose job scheduled, or maybe at this point you are just thinking about having it done. Either way, you probably have a lot of questions – a question just about every patient asks is, what will my recovery be like?

Your Rhinoplasty Recovery

Rhinoplasty (the medical term for a nose job) can make a big difference in how you look – a change in how the nose looks can change the appearance of your entire face. It can be used to fix trauma to the nose, it can correct problems that are keeping you from breathing properly, or it can give you the nose you’ve always wanted. And, the procedure itself only typically takes a couple of hours, and it is an outpatient procedure for most patients. However, it is still surgery, and that means you’ll need time to recover! It also means you’ll have specific instructions to follow for a speedy and successful recovery.

You may have to wear a splint on the nose for a week or so, to stabilize the tissue, and you might have some drainage or bleeding from the nose. Your nose and eye area will feel bruised and swollen, and you may have a dull headache. This swelling will go down in about 2 weeks to a month, although your nose may still be a bit swollen for months afterward. In the first phase of healing, you shouldn’t do anything that might increase your heart rate, like strenuous exercise. You can get back to most of your regular activities in about a month, but your doctor may have a list of things for you to avoid doing as you begin your recovery. These will include:

• Swimming or showering
• Blowing your nose
• Sunbathing
• Wearing glasses
• Drinking alcohol
• Smoking
• Wearing makeup

Dr. Alfonso Barrera and the rest of the staff at Alfonso Barrera Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery will give you detailed instructions to follow for your recovery and can answer all of your questions about your rhinoplasty procedure and what you can expect! Call the office in Houston at (713) 468-5200 for a rhinoplasty consultation today!