Whether you’re after a fresh look, easier breathing or both, rhinoplasty — also known as a nose job — can help you get there. But before your new-and-improved nose makes its big debut, a little smart prep and self-care during recovery can make the whole experience go more smoothly.
From planning before your first consultation to taking time off work or school after surgery, simple choices can make a big difference in how you feel and heal.
Michael Eggerstedt, MD, is a double-board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and otolaryngologist at Rush. He has some advice on steps you can take to get the results you want from your rhinoplasty and get back to life quickly.
Preparing for your rhinoplasty
There are a few ways you can prepare in the weeks and months leading up to your nose job. They will help your consultation, procedure and recovery go easier.
One is to check with your insurance provider to see if there will be any requirements you must meet before you’re approved for any coverage of your rhinoplasty.
Functional rhinoplasty, meaning nose surgery related to breathing, is often covered by insurance. Cosmetic rhinoplasty, or surgery to change the appearance of the nose, usually requires an out-of-pocket expense.
And if you are getting rhinoplasty to address a nasal breathing issue, your insurance provider may require that you try medications first before they offer coverage.
“One insurance requirement may be that you need to try a steroid nasal spray, like Flonase, for at least six weeks,” Eggerstedt says. “So if patients do that upfront, they can expedite their workup process and avoid any delays in their care."
When you'd like to schedule your first appointment, start the process months in advance of the date you plan to get surgery.
"Our facial plastic surgeons tend to be in high demand for rhinoplasty. It often takes a few weeks to get in for consultation, and then a few months to get in for surgery,” Eggerstedt says. “It's best to come for consultation as early as possible."
Talk to your surgeon
Before your first appointment, you should also give some thought to what kind of results you’re looking for with your rhinoplasty. This will help guide the discussion with your surgeon.
“It’s helpful if patients can delineate their goals up front,” Eggerstedt says. “It’s challenging for surgeons if patients show up and say, ‘Tell me what I need, doc.’ It’s better if they have at least some idea as to what they want done with their nose and what they’re hoping to improve.”
Eggerstedt also recommends asking questions of your surgeon to make sure they are the right provider to meet your goals. Some of the things you should ask your surgeon include the following:
- How many rhinoplasty surgeries do you perform each year?: A surgeon who does a lot of rhinoplasties will likely have a good amount of experience and expertise. Our surgeons typically perform over 100 or even 200 per year.
- What are the risks with this procedure?: Different techniques carry different risks. It’s important to know how to reduce them and what to expect.
- How comfortable are you with meeting my goals?: You’ll want to know that your surgeon has experience achieving the results you’re looking for.
- Will you need to take cartilage or other tissue from somewhere else in the body?: Some surgeons will make other incisions to use tissue from under the scalp or cartilage from the ribs or ears to reshape the nose. You’ll want to know if you should expect scarring in these areas.
- What can I expect for recovery?: Some procedures have fairly easy and straightforward recovery, while others are more involved and require more time away from school or work.
What not to do before your rhinoplasty
When preparing for a nose job, there are also a few things you should avoid.
First, your surgeon will likely ask you to stop smoking for a few months prior to surgery.
“Smoking can significantly worsen both aesthetic and functional outcomes following rhinoplasty,” Eggerstedt says. “Usually there’s not a rush to get to surgery for rhinoplasty, so you can take a few months to allow any tobacco to clear out of your system. And that’s something you can start ahead of your consultation to speed things along.”
It’s also a good idea to avoid alcohol for about two weeks before surgery for the same reasons.
“And if there’s a lot of alcohol consumption, that’s something we’re going to want to work through before undergoing an elective surgery,” Eggerstedt says.
Your surgeon and nurses should help you understand what else you may need to avoid in the weeks leading up to your rhinoplasty.
Recovery from rhinoplasty
Recovery after a nose job can vary from patient to patient, and it often depends on the type of rhinoplasty you get.
Usually, recovery will start with about a week of having splints in the nose and possibly a cast over the nose. You’ll have some swelling that can last for a few weeks.
There are some steps you can take to make sure your recovery is as smooth as possible. Your surgeon will give you instructions, and it’s important to follow them closely.
What to do the day of your rhinoplasty
Because rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure, you likely won’t spend the night in the hospital on the day of your rhinoplasty.
“Patients go home the same day unless we have a good reason for them to not go home,” Eggerstedt says. “About 99% of patients will go home and sleep in their own beds after surgery.”
You'll need to avoid driving, so arrange to have someone who can give you a ride home safely.
Once you’re home, it’s important to get plenty of rest and focus on recovery. It’s best to keep your head elevated. Don't do any strenuous activities.
Leave any splints or casts in place. Avoid getting them wet. Your surgeon may ask you to use ice packs to reduce swelling.
Follow your surgeon’s instructions closely. In some cases, they may advise you on how to apply medical tape to your nose. This can help support the shape of your nose, keep swelling down and help skin conform to the new nose framework.
Exercising after rhinoplasty
If you’re feeling well after surgery, you may be eager to get back to your normal exercise routine. But it’s important to allow your body time to recover, even if it seems like you’re fully healed.
“We'll typically ask people to avoid strenuous exercise for a couple of weeks," Eggerstedt says.
It’s also important to protect your nose from injuries following rhinoplasty. That rules out most contact sports and any sports that involve a ball or other object potentially hitting you in the face.
“Typically, you'll want to avoid trauma to the nose for about six weeks after surgery” Eggerstedt says.
What to avoid after your rhinoplasty
Aside from strenuous exercise and activities that could cause nose injuries, there are a few other things you should avoid to make sure you have the best recovery from rhinoplasty.
“A lot of the things that keep you healthy over the long term are things you’ll want to do both before and after surgery,” Eggerstedt says. “So avoid alcohol and tobacco.”
Your surgeon will also likely ask you to avoid flying right away. This may be inconvenient since patients will often fly in to have rhinoplasty surgery. But it is important for your recovery.
“We usually ask people not to fly for one to two weeks after surgery,” Eggerstedt says.
When is the cast removed after rhinoplasty?
Following your surgery, you may need to have a cast over your nose, as well as some splints on the inside of your nose.
“So for that first week, patients feel pretty stuffed up, but they’re moving some air through the nose,” Eggerstedt says. “And then they have the cast off after a week.”
Your surgeon will let you know when you can have your cast removed. Don’t attempt to remove your cast or splints yourself before your surgeon advises, even if you feel like you’ve fully healed.
Sleeping after rhinoplasty
Sleeping after a nose job can be hard, especially if you have some pain after surgery or aren’t used to sleeping in an elevated position.
You may consider taking sleep aids to help. But ask your surgeon which ones are safe to use.
“We don’t recommend taking anything that’s going to be really sedating the first night after surgery because patients are usually already taking some sedating pain medications already,” Eggerstedt says. “But over-the-counter sleep aids at the recommended dose are generally OK to use after that.”
Sleeping on your back with your head in an elevated position can also help with recovery.
“We often have people sleep at about 30 degrees, or even just put an extra pillow under their head and shoulders if they can, to help with swelling during the post-op period,” Eggerstedt says. “But some patients just can't sleep at all like that. So we are OK with those patients just having to lie flat.”
How much time will you need off work after rhinoplasty?
The amount of time you need to take off work or school after a nose job often depends on which type of procedure you have.
If you have a closed rhinoplasty, meaning the incisions are inside of the nose and not outwardly visible, you may need less time away.
“Patients will usually take a week off work because they have splints in their nose,” Eggerstedt says. “But they’re feeling OK, and sometimes they can work from home.”
But if you have an open rhinoplasty, which is common for patients who have the procedure for cosmetic reasons, you may want to take more time off.
“If they’re undergoing an open operation, then patients should know that they’re going to be visibly swollen for about three weeks,” Eggerstedt says. “So it depends on the patient’s comfort as to whether they go back at a week or wait the full three weeks until they’re not obviously swollen.”
Post-procedure medications
When you go home after rhinoplasty, your surgeon may prescribe a few medications for you to take.
“The average rhinoplasty patient will have some prescription pain medication after surgery,” Eggerstedt says. “We provide them with that in case they need it. But some patients come back and say they didn’t take any of the pain medication, which we prefer if possible.”
Your surgeon may also prescribe medication to reduce nausea. Some patients feel nauseous after surgery, which is usually a reaction to anesthesia.
“And we take it on a case-by-case basis whether patients get sent home with antibiotics,” Eggerstedt says. “We typically do not prescribe antibiotics after rhinoplasty. But depending on what we have to do, we will sometimes prescribe them.”
Post-procedure diet
Some patients are surprised to learn that there aren’t many dietary restrictions after rhinoplasty.
“Patients will almost always ask about warm versus cold foods and what to avoid,” Eggerstedt says. “But there are really no dietary restrictions.”
He also notes that many patients avoid spicy foods for the first week after surgery. But other than that, you can continue with your normal diet.
If you’re interested in getting rhinoplasty, whether you want to change the appearance of your nose or breathe more easily, you can learn more on our Rhinoplasty Surgery page. And if you’re ready for a consultation, you can call Rush at (888) 352-7874, and a care coordinator will help you set up an appointment.
