Post Rhinoplasty FAQ

Q: How long does a rhinoplasty last and at what point will you need to do additional maintenance?

A: A rhinoplasty will last for the rest of your life. However, even a nose that has undergone a rhinoplasty ages like the rest of your face and body. As we age, the nose begins to droop. After a rhinoplasty they will age from where they were after the procedure. The procedures we do for an aging nose is often more subtler than a formal rhinoplasty.

Q: Does wearing a splint over nose longer help rhinoplasty results?

A: To help control swelling and protect the nasal bone a nasal splint is used. Usually a nasal splint is required after rhinoplasty to protect the nose from any trauma and shifting during the first 5 to 7 days after surgery. Wearing a nasal splint longer has not been shown to make any difference in the healing process. However, splints do keep fingers OFF the nose during the first week which is the time the nose is most delicate and mobile. Sometimes, I re-tape the nose for a week or two which can help control any further swelling. Though, there has not been any scientific studies to demonstrate that this makes a difference, it is something we have been taught to do.

Q: What are the chances of keloid scarring developing after a rhinoplasty?

A: Keloid scars never occur on the nose after rhinoplasty. Though this statement is very strong, in my 20 years of practice I have never seen nor heard of a keloid scar appearing on the nose. The central face seems to be an area where keloid scar do not form. Another way to reduce scarring in general is to have a closed or intranasal rhinoplasty. 9 times out of 10, I prefer this technique at my practice.

Q: After a rhinoplasty, how long before I can participate in sports?

A: The healing process for the nose takes about 6 weeks to fully heal after a rhinoplasty. It takes about 6 weeks before the nose can take any kind of direct trauma, which is the standard time for bones to heal. If you or anyone you know has had a broken bone, casts and/or splints are can be left anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks. Due to the nose being one of the focal points of the face, having a cast or splint on that long is not practical. Therefore, being careful and avoiding physical trauma will do the trick. In my opinion, any sports where trauma to the nose can happen should be avoided for at least 6 weeks. Participation in non-contact sports can resume after three weeks.

Q: What are the risks, if any, in flying after rhinoplasty?

A: Air travel restrictions after a rhinoplasty vary from doctor to doctor, but maybe as soon as one week. Each surgeon has different philosophies when it comes to flying after a rhinoplasty. In regards to the nose after rhinoplasty, there is no inherent danger from flying. The nose is usually congested for about a week so flying during that time would be akin to flying with a bad cold. The majority of concerns come with lifting baggage and the overall hustle and bustle of traveling. If flying is a must and my patients are very careful, I let them travel 8 or 9 days after surgery.

Q: How long after a rhinoplasty before I can go out in the sun?

A: Following a rhinoplasty, I recommend at least 6 weeks before going out into the sun. The reason being is that the skin is still recovering after it has been elevated to access the underlying cartilage and nasal bone. If you get sunburned, the top of the skin is damaged leaving nowhere for the skin to heal. Also, the lymphatics, vessel that carry away swelling and fluid from the skin and underlying structures, are very delicate and need a few months to recover after the procedure.

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