April 21, 2025
If you’re considering rhinoplasty, decisions like selecting a surgeon, the type of rhinoplasty that will be right for you, and finding the perfect sample pictures may be at the front of your mind. Understandably, recovery after rhinoplasty can get lost in the shuffle. But what happens after the surgery plays a huge role in the success of the procedure and final outcomes. So, how can surgeons and patients encourage a smooth healing process? Let’s start with the basics.
One of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures for decades, rhinoplasty is meant to refine the appearance of the nose by modifying or reshaping the bridge, tip, nostrils, or multiple areas. Patients may want to address specific aesthetic concerns such as a dorsal hump, crooked nose, or a bulbous tip. Rhinoplasty can also correct functional issues like a deviated septum or other breathing problems to offer patients better breathing, especially during sleep or exercise.
There are a few different methods for rhinoplasty, including closed, where all incisions are made through the nostrils, or open, where a small incision is made at the base of the columella for greater access to internal structures. This is an incredibly customizable surgery, and surgeons must take into account overall facial structure, skin thickness, preserving cultural identity, and the patient’s aesthetic goals to ensure optimal results for the patient.
After rhinoplasty surgery, patients often experience some swelling and bruising, and they can expect to wake up in recovery with external and possibly internal splints around their nose. External splints are usually sutured into place. Internal splints are attached on the inside with small sutures as well and serve to support the septum and internal structures.
For the most optimal healing experience at home, patients should focus on rest, keeping the head elevated, icing the nose and face, and staying hydrated. Splints may be removed after about a week, and swelling and bruising will slowly decline after about two to four weeks. Because these are delicate and sensitive tissues, it could take up to a year to two years for final results and all residual swelling to resolve, so don’t panic if, six months into recovery, you feel like things aren’t quite right.
While a good healing and recovery experience after rhinoplasty, of course, makes for a more comfortable and pleasant experience, proper tissue healing is also key to the final aesthetic and functional outcome. The use of internal splints or internal skin grafting can help further improve the chance for positive outcomes.
Being cautious during recovery and having a surgeon who uses the right techniques can help patients avoid common issues that might result in the need for revision. These might include cartilage shift, asymmetry, or even internal collapse of the nasal valves. Excessive scar formation or even new breathing issues could also happen. A common but easily prevented complication called nostril retraction occurs when the nostrils gradually shift upwards, causing them to show more from the front. In short, it’s important to keep these possibilities in mind during your decision process.
Beverly Hills rhinoplasty specialist facial plastic surgeon Dr. Nima Shemirani has developed an innovative way to use internal skin grafts as an added precaution in the prevention of nostril retraction. In the final stages of surgery, Dr. Nima strategically places the internal graft, which causes the nostril rim to roll down, preventing retraction and creating symmetry. Then, to secure the graft, a small piece of plastic is placed that connects from the inside to a small splint or stent on the outside of the nose.
This protects the surgical work and prevents the graft from being disturbed internally while it heals. After about two weeks, the skin graft should be healed and integrated enough for stent removal. This is a simple yet highly effective way to see great outcomes for the overall structure of the nose and can work to prevent any unexpected revisions in the future. Check out more about this technique with a short video explanation. This is just one of many ways that Dr. Nima provides unmatched results and goes above and beyond for patient outcomes.
The nasal structures are unique and often require specialized knowledge not only for the surgery itself but also for ideal aftercare guidance. It’s important to choose a rhinoplasty specialist who understands both aesthetics and structural dynamics. Dr. Nima, who is double board-certified in facial plastic and head and neck surgery, believes that patient care doesn’t stop after surgery is over and is committed to ongoing patient satisfaction.
