Rhinoplasty FAQ

Questions About Rhinoplasty

What is the recovery like for a tip rhinoplasty?

The recovery from a tip rhinoplasty is generally fairly easy, although there is a great deal of variability among different patients. There is very little pain, but some swelling which may persist for several weeks to months. You will have to limit your activity for a couple of weeks but will be back to your normal lifestyle soon after that. Visit our main Rhinoplasty page for more information.

Will smoking affect my recovery?

Smoking adversely affects wound healing. The small vessels that supply blood to the tissues shrink up and prevent the necessary nutrients for healing to get to the wound. The incidence of having a wound complication such as an open wound or skin death is much higher in smokers. Furthermore, the rate of wound infection is also significantly increased in smokers for the same reason of limited blood flow. Because of this, a patient must stop smoking for a minimum of two weeks prior to surgery to decrease the risk of these complications.

Are facelifts commonly performed with other procedures?

Yes. Facelifts do not treat the upper portion of the face. Baggy eyelids, crow’s feet, descended brows, or a wrinkled forehead can be addressed by combining your face or neck lift with a brow lift, and a blepharoplasty. Other facial procedures which may help achieve your desired look, such as an otoplasty/ear surger, lip augmentation, chin augmentation and rhinoplasty can also be performed in conjunction with a facelift.

How long is the procedure (rhinoplasty) and will I need to take time off work?

Rhinoplasty surgery can take anywhere from 1 1/2 to 3 hours in surgery. Most people will take off 1-2 weeks for recovery.