Rhinoplasty can change your nose subtly or dramatically. Whether you want a discreet adjustment or a drastic redo, Robert A. Guida, MD, customizes your procedure to fit your vision of the ideal nose.
Dr. Guida even has a trademarked procedure called Rational Rhinoplasty™, his signature brand of customized plastic surgery that ensures superior results based on his extensive experience, board-certified skill, ability to listen well, and talent for merging science and art.
Once you’ve healed, you can expect smoothness, symmetry, and balance. You can also expect a confidence boost and many compliments — but what should you expect from the recovery process?
Here, we offer a week-by-week look at your post-surgery recovery to prepare you for what’s to come and help you identify signs of complications.
The first few days after the surgery are typically the most uncomfortable. You'll have a small nasal splint in place to protect and support your nose as it begins to heal, but Dr. Guida doesn’t pack your nose with gauze, making your recovery much more comfortable. You may experience facial bruising, swelling, and mild discomfort during this period.
After about a week, Dr. Guida removes your nasal splint. You may still have some noticeable swelling and bruising at this point, but it should start to subside. Most patients can return to work or school at this stage, but you should still avoid strenuous activities.
By the third week, most of the visible swelling and bruising should have disappeared, and you should be able to resume light activity. If Dr. Guida had to break bones during your surgery, you must avoid a nose injury for about three months.
Around four weeks after your procedure, you can resume some cardiovascular activities, including walking and using stationary exercise equipment. By six weeks, the cartilage and bones in your nose should be settled, and you can exercise without restrictions.
After rhinoplasty, it may take a few months for your nasal skin to return to its pre-surgery condition. It's normal for skin to be oily or dry, sensitive, acne-prone, or pink during this time.
It can take up to a year after your rhinoplasty surgery to fully recover. While most of the healing occurs in the first few months, minor swelling can persist for several months, and the final shape of your nose might not be evident until a year or more after your surgery.
To learn more about Rational Rhinoplasty, schedule a consultation with Dr. Guida by calling either the office in Staten Island or New York, New York.
