Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

If your face is seriously swollen, try using some ice packs... just don't overdo it.

Ashley Carter95 said:Yeah, they whip those up right at the pharmacy—usually doesn't even come in a box, but it only takes a few minutes. I'm thinking it's $1.75.

Thanks a ton. Honestly, I think this is exactly what I need.

Ashley Carter95 said:It’s been five months now. My nose is actually just starting to take shape; the bridge is narrowing and the tip is finally defining itself. Up until now, it honestly looked kind of potato-like.

Usually, those little bumps show up after two or three months. I noticed one at the bridge about a month ago, but it seems to be fading—the other side is starting to even out, so the bump isn't nearly as noticeable anymore. Honestly, you really have to wait the full six months to see what the final shape looks like. There's no point in panicking over anything because everything is constantly shifting.

So basically, everyone gets those bumps? 😢 Ugh... I don't get why they even have to happen in the first place. 😢 I can't believe recovery actually takes this long. But is it just visible to you? Or can others see it too? Man, I can't wait for these six months to be over. 🙂 hehe

Ashley Carter95 said:If your whole face is really swollen, maybe try some ice packs... just don't overdo it.

I know... My surgery was just last month, so everything is still relatively fresh. I mean, if my face and nose would just go down, I'd be fine. Right now, I look exactly like a piglet.🙂

swiftheron48 said:So basically everyone gets those little bumps? 😢 Ugh... I honestly have no idea why they even happen in the first place...😢 I can't believe the recovery actually takes this long. Is it just me who notices, though? Or can others see it too? Man, I am counting down the days until this six-month mark hits🙂 hehe

It isn't visible to anyone else but me... I'm only just realizing how swollen my nose actually was. Other people didn't notice a thing... Don't stress out or start panicking over it. The nose shape settles in around 6 months, and breathing usually doesn't feel 100% normal until about 9 months on average.

Ashley Carter95 said:Other people can't even see it, just me... honestly, I'm only just realizing how swollen my nose actually was. No one else even noticed. Don't worry about anything or start panicking. It takes about 6 months for the nose to settle, and breathing usually doesn't feel 100% normal until the 9-month mark on average.

Well, okay then. 🙂 Thanks a lot. 🙂

Ashley Carter95 said:it’s not something others can see—just me. Honestly, I'm just realizing now how swollen my nose actually was. No one else even noticed.. don't stress out or start panicking over nothing.. the nose takes about 6 months to really shape up, and breathing usually doesn't feel 100% until the 9-month mark on average.

Hey, are you maybe a smoker? How does that affect things?
I haven't tried lighting up a cigarette yet, but man, the cravings are hitting hard...
One more thing—I can feel the right side of my nose, but not the left. Is that normal?

Hey ladies, I’m curious if anyone on this forum has undergone rhinoplasty where the surgeon avoided touching the tip entirely? My logic is that if they don't mess with the tip, the result should be identical to how it looked before the procedure—meaning no "Miss Piggy" look or exaggerated features. I’ve actually brought this up here before, but nobody bothered to respond to my inquiry...

wanderingangler8 said:Hey, are you maybe a smoker? How does that even work?
I haven't tried lighting up a cigarette yet, but the craving is hitting me hard...
Also, I can feel the right side of my nose, but not the left. Is that normal?

I don't smoke. Everything you're describing sounds perfectly normal; one day the swelling will be less, the next it might be more. If you're genuinely worried, just give your doctor a call and ask. You paid for their expertise, after all, and it's their job to be available to you throughout your entire recovery process.

Bryan Gomez27 said:Hey ladies, I was wondering if anyone on this forum has had surgery where the doctor didn't actually touch the tip of the nose? Basically, would the tip look exactly the same as before the procedure... without any changes at all? I've asked this before and nobody replied...

In my case, they don't touch the tip, nor do they lift or shorten it. Since it's just bone work and removing certain bits, the tip ends up looking just as swollen as everything else...

Ashley Carter95 said:The tip of my nose hasn't changed at all; it’s neither lifted nor shortened. Since the procedure involves working directly with bone and removing certain fragments, the tip is naturally going to be swollen.

So you're telling me the tip looks exactly the same as it did before the surgery?.. I realize there has to be some swelling involved, of course... but which surgeon did you go to?

Bryan Gomez27 said:hey girls, I'm wondering if anyone here had surgery where the doctor didn't even touch the tip of their nose? Like, basically nothing changed at the tip after the procedure... I've asked this before but nobody ever replied...

So, look—I had my surgery and they didn't mess with my tip or my bridge at all. But since they lifted the whole structure up, the tip naturally went up too—so for about a week, I totally looked like a cartoon pig. If you're asking about whether it drops back down right when the splint comes off, then yeah, mine was already looking more normal by then.

Bryan Gomez27 said:Hey girls, I’m wondering if anyone on here had surgery where the surgeon didn't actually touch the tip of the nose? Like, the tip ended up looking exactly the same as before... not looking like a piglet or anything. I asked this before, but nobody really answered...

Well, they didn't touch my tip either. But honestly, everyone looks like a piglet for at least a few days while you're dealing with the molds and the packing 🙂 and all the swelling. My tip stayed the same as far as I can tell... and I know for sure they didn't touch it 🙂

Hey everyone,

I had nose surgery this past Friday—so, three days ago now. I’m really looking for some recovery advice from you guys.
The packing was taken out yesterday, and my splint comes off this Wednesday. Right now, I’ve got those nasty purple bruises around my eyes and I am just so swollen.
The only thing actually bugging me is how stiff everything feels above my lip; I can’t even crack a smile. And just to clarify, they didn't do an external incision on the nose, it was all done through an internal technique.
I've been wearing nasal strips and breathing through it. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good eye cream?
Should I be doing facial compresses or maybe some light massage? And honestly... is my smile going to come back to normal?
Do you think it's okay to step outside for a little walk in nature? Just somewhere quiet where nobody will see me, because I feel like some fresh air might actually help.
Also, do I really need to sleep propped up on two pillows?
Does anyone know anything about lymphatic drainage for the face after a procedure like this?

Thanks in advance, seriously. Any bit of advice helps while I'm sitting here feeling so uncertain and just waiting for things to settle down.

wiredcrane12 said:Hey everyone,

I had nose surgery last Friday, so it’s been three days now. I could really use some recovery advice.
The packing was removed yesterday, and they’re taking the splint off this Wednesday. My eyes are bruised purple and I’m swollen everywhere.
My main concern right now is that everything above my lip feels totally numb—I can't even crack a smile. They didn't do an external rhinoplasty; it was all internal work.
I'm using nasal drops and breathing through my nose. Any suggestions on what kind of cream to put on my eyes?
Should I be doing facial compresses, or maybe massage it? Will my smile eventually come back?
Can I step outside for a quick walk in nature? Just when nobody is around, obviously, because I think the fresh air might help.
Do I need to sleep propped up on two pillows?
Does anyone know anything about facial lymphatic drainage after surgery?

Thanks in advance. Any advice would be appreciated while I'm stuck in this limbo of waiting and uncertainty.

Hahaha... mine felt numb too. When I tried to smile, I looked like a total wreck.🙂 I had my surgery in April. I usually head out for some fresh air, but only very late at night when the streets are empty.🙂 My doctor didn't mention massaging it. I use compresses, but not too often. I haven't used any today. Who was your surgeon? Mine just took the packing out today. It was brutal.🙂 But at least I can breathe now. I'm also using nasal drops.🙂

That’s not really up to you, ladies

Phew, I feel way better now. So you're saying things felt totally numb too? Honestly, I was starting to freak out thinking something was actually wrong. I saw my specialist over in Miami, but I'm originally from near Washington, D.C.
I love taking long walks by the ocean late at night under the stars. We should probably walk together sometime—just two Hannibals hanging out. :-) I’ve stopped using those nasal strips, though, since they always seem to trigger a sinus infection.
Looking at everything under one mold makes me think my nose is going to look great. Ugh, I can hardly wait to see it, even though I'm low-key terrified I might lose my mind once I finally get rid of this profile I never even liked in the first place.
And Jesse Alvarez4, don't mess around... not if you aren't planning on being serious about this. None of us are doing this just to be reckless. It took a massive amount of courage and maturity to make this call. swiftheron48, hang in there—keep me posted on how you're doing.

wiredcrane12 said:Well, I feel better now. So you think the area feels hard as a rock too. I was actually starting to worry something had gone wrong. I saw a specialist in Miami—I’m originally from there.
I take night walks by the ocean under the stars. We should probably walk together, like two Hannibals :-) I stopped using those compresses because I'm worried about sinus infections.
Looking at myself under one light, my nose looks nice. Honestly, I'm almost looking forward to seeing the final result, even though part of me is terrified of finally losing this profile I never truly felt was mine.
And Jesse Alvarez4, don't mess around... not if you aren't planning on being serious about this issue. We aren't doing this out of shame. It took a lot of courage and maturity to make this decision. swiftheron48, hang in there; let me know how things progress.

🙂🙂🙂 My teeth show a bit more today when I smile🙂 hehehe... and I look absolutely ridiculous, like Hannibal. 🙂 How are you doing today? For me, the bags under my eyes are sagging and my cheeks look super puffy right now. 🙂 Just some baby fat... they're so easy to squeeze. And my nose is still swollen. 😢 A little less than yesterday, though... I was out walking the dog late last night and saw a few people. But honestly, most people out at 1 AM aren't even sober, so they wouldn't even notice me if they did see me. 🙂

Has anyone here actually dealt with Dr. Stanec over in Washington, D.C.?

Hi everyone! So, I had an appointment today with my doctor, and honestly, he’s just fantastic. I'm actually heading in for a follow-up procedure soon. Has anyone else here seen him before? Are you happy with the care you received?