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How Soon Will I See My Rhinoplasty Results?

Posted April 01, 2022 in Recovery, Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)

4 Minute Read:

Deciding to undergo a plastic surgery procedure is not always easy. You have to weigh the pros and cons, including cost and whether or not you want to go under the knife. 

However, deciding to have cosmetic surgery can be one of the best and most transformative choices you have ever made. The results are stunning and can make you look the way you’ve always wanted, which will only make you feel more confident and comfortable in your own skin. And one of the most popular and trusted plastic surgery procedures is rhinoplasty

All you have to do is look at some of your favorite celebrities and see the way they’ve been transformed by their nose surgeries

A plastic surgeon preparing a woman for rhinoplasty surgery

However, it is important to understand the rhinoplasty recovery time frame and how long it may take to see your final results. Unfortunately, rhinoplasty results are not complete and final right after your procedure. 

To better understand what to expect with your rhinoplasty results, including when they will become final, it is important to look at some of the different factors of this procedure.

What Is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty surgery — also known as corrective nose surgery — involves the surgical reshaping of the nose. Rhinoplasty corrects biological concerns or issues resulting from an injury. Some of these issues can include a nose that is crooked or too large, one with a hump or wide bridge, or a nose with a drooping nasal tip. 

Dr. Rey performs both open and closed rhinoplasty. With open rhinoplasty, the incision is made at the base of the nose, between the nostrils. With this type of incision, Dr. Rey can better see and correct the underlying structures; however, mild scarring may result. 

With closed rhinoplasty, Dr. Rey makes the incision within the nasal cavity, allowing him access to the nasal structures. With this technique, there is no visible scarring. 

The decision of which incision is used depends on several different factors, and at your consultation, Dr. Rey will decide which is best for you. However, the type of incision does affect the recovery period, as patients who undergo closed rhinoplasty tend to recover more quickly than those who undergo open rhinoplasty, which means that the final results tend to take longer with open rhinoplasty than with closed. 

Vector illustration showing different nasal shapes.

How Long Until I See My Final Rhinoplasty Results?

Even though patients are excited to see their rhinoplasty results, it can take up to one year before these results are final. 

While the recovery period usually takes between six and eight weeks, the final results take much longer due to several different factors. 

But what are these factors that make rhinoplasty results take so long to become permanent?

What Contributes to the Length of Rhinoplasty Recovery?

The bruising and swelling on and around your nose will subside over the first six to eight weeks after your rhinoplasty. The length of time it takes for the swelling and bruising to lessen depends on several factors, including the incision type (open or closed), the thickness of the nose skin, and the extent of the corrective surgery.

It is important to understand what goes into rhinoplasty. For some patients, the nasal bone is purposefully broken, which means that you will need to allow time for the broken nose to heal. Additionally, it is important to realize that the nose is one of the most sensitive parts of your body, with high amounts of nerve density. 

This causes the recovery period to take longer than with other parts of the body. 

Also, your nose is made of cartilage, which, like bone, takes longer to heal than something more simple, like skin closing after incisions are made. 

Additionally, since you are constantly breathing, you are constantly using your nose, meaning that you are not allowing it the proper rest it needs to heal. 

How Can I Speed Up My Recovery and Results?

Though patience is the name of the game with rhinoplasty recovery, there are a few things that you can do to help speed up your recovery and allow your final results to settle. These include:

  • Following all of your post-operative instructions and going to your follow-up appointments
  • Take any prescribed medication, including anti-inflammatory medications
  • Keep your head elevated at all times
  • Limit your activities, especially staying away from strenuous activities
  • Wear your nasal splint until directed otherwise by Dr. Rey

Interested in Learning More?

To learn more about rhinoplasty, please contact our office at (310) 205-3107 or schedule a consultation with Dr. Rey today to determine if you are a good candidate. 

See our transformations by visiting our rhinoplasty before and after gallery