⚕️ General information only. Always follow your medical team's specific instructions.
Rhinoplasty (Nose Job) Recovery Guide
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Based on guidance from NHS, NICE, AAOS & healthdirect (last checked Oct 2026)
Last reviewed: July 2026 · Free to use · No data collected
Rhinoplasty requires more patience than almost any other surgery. The cast comes off at Day 7–10, but the final result takes 12 months or more to see as deep swelling gradually resolves. The nose at 1 month looks very different to the nose at 12 months.
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What to expect
- Cast or splint on the nose for 7–10 days
- Bruising under both eyes: "panda eyes", peaking at 48–72 hours and resolving by 2 weeks
- Cannot breathe through the nose initially: mouth breathing only
- Swelling most severe at 3 days, improving slowly over 12 months
- The nose looks swollen, wide, and "not right" for months: this is normal
- Numbness at the tip, gradual nerve recovery over months
- Final result not visible until 12 months minimum
Key rules
- Sleep with head at 45° for at least 1 week, no lying flat
- No nose blowing: sneeze with mouth open if needed
- Keep cast completely dry, no shower water near the face
- No glasses on the nose for 4–6 weeks
- No ibuprofen or aspirin: paracetamol only
- Protect the nose from any impact for 6 weeks minimum
- SPF50+ on the nose for 12 months: UV exposure darkens healing scars
🚨 Seek emergency care if: heavy uncontrolled nosebleed · signs of infection (fever, pus, increasing pain) · any significant impact to the nose in the first 6 weeks
Recovery essentials
Practical items that other patients have found helpful during recovery.
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Gentle wound dressings help protect delicate incision sites around the nostrils and columella as they heal. Wound dressings →
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UV exposure can permanently darken rhinoplasty scars: apply SPF 50+ to the nose daily for at least 12 months after surgery. SPF 50+ sunscreen →
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Frequently asked questions
How long does rhinoplasty swelling last?
Around 70% of swelling resolves in the first 2 months. The remaining 30% (mainly at the tip) takes up to 12–18 months to fully resolve. Final results cannot be judged before 12 months.
When can I return to work after rhinoplasty?
Most patients return to desk work at 2 weeks when bruising has faded. Working from home is possible from Day 10 after cast removal.
When can I wear glasses after rhinoplasty?
Usually 6 weeks minimum, and only with your surgeon's clearance. Glasses resting on the nose put pressure on the healing bones and cartilage during the critical early healing period.
When can I exercise after rhinoplasty?
Light walking from Week 2. Gentle exercise with no raised blood pressure from Week 3. Contact sport and any risk of impact to the nose: minimum 6 months.
Why does my nose look worse before it looks better?
Swelling continues to build for the first 48–72 hours after surgery and then slowly reduces. The deep internal swelling at the tip is the last to go, which is why the final result takes so long to appear. This is completely normal.
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🚨 When to seek help
- Heavy bleeding from the nose that does not stop with gentle pressure; seek emergency care
- Signs of infection: increasing pain, fever, pus or foul smell
- Sudden severe pain or rapidly worsening swelling
- Skin changes over the nose: discolouration, blistering
- Any injury or impact to the nose in the first 6 weeks, attend for assessment
000 (AU) · 999 (UK) · 911 (US) · 112 (EU)
In a life-threatening situation, call your local emergency number immediately. Do not wait.
In a life-threatening situation, call your local emergency number immediately. Do not wait.
Your recovery toolkit
Free interactive tools to track your recovery day by day. Everything stays on your device — nothing is uploaded or shared.
Pain trackerSpot the trend, share it with your GPIs my pain normal?A plain-English read on what you’re feelingMedication scheduleLay out dose times, add calendar remindersLast-dose tracker“When can I take the next one?”Daily dashboardMeds, vitals & wound photos in one viewDriving readinessWhat published guidance says before you drive
These tools support — never replace — the advice of your surgical team. If something feels wrong, contact your doctor or emergency services.