A nose job can consist of 2 different surgeries performed at the same time or just one of the other. Rhinoplasty refers to external nose and is used to change the outer nose to a different shape or size. Septoplasty deals with the internal nose and is used to change the structure of the nose from the inside. Out of all the cosmetic procedures Rhinoplasty has become most popular.
Rhinoplasty Recovery 101:
As with most operations, one should anticipate a certain level of pain and discoloration during the healing process. The surgeon will most likely prescribe some form of pain medication. Expect bruising, in most rhinoplastys the cartridge that makes up the interior nose is broken and reset. This causes the bruises and takes a few weeks to fade, if however the surgeon was able to avoid breaking the septum, healing will take a fraction of the time.
While you heal from the surgery both the area around the nose and the nose itself will be very swollen and sensitive. On average the time it takes to heal is dependent on the type of nose job. In closed type of rhinoplasty recovery averages three to six weeks, where as an open procedures is anywhere from one to six months. At all time heed the advice if the surgeon and do not put yourself in a situation where there may any kind of stress on the nose.
Be realistic. It tales some time for the bruising, pain and swelling to go down before you will be able to see any noticeable results and even then it is not an accurate partial of the final result. You will have to be patient for at least a couple month before your new nose will truly emerge. Again depending on how fast your body heals, and the amount of time you have to relax and recover (nothing slows down recovery like stress and over exertion) the sooner you will see results (typically with in 3 -6 months). Be for warned that there have been cases where patients have taken a couple years to fully heal (though few and far between).
When it comes to cosmetic surgery being realistic is important. The pain and swelling make it near impossible to see any kind of results after surgery. In fact most people have to wait several months before the final results can be seen. For some this happens faster because of less stress, over all health and again the bodies ability to heal. Expect anywhere from three to six months.
Make sure to keep in mind that recovery takes time and finally keep your head upright as often as possible, especially while sleeping.. This will reduce swelling and prevent fluid from building up in the nasal cavity. Best of luck in your Rhinoplasty recovery.
