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After rhinoplasty surgery, many patients wonder when it’s safe to resume drinking alcohol, coffee, or other beverages. It’s a smart question—because what you drink can directly affect your healing, swelling, and even the outcome of your nose job. In this guide, we’ll explain when you can safely reintroduce different drinks like water, tea, coffee, and alcohol, and why timing matters during recovery.
Avoid alcohol for at least 5–7 days post-surgery (or longer if you’re on medication).
Limit caffeine for at least 3 days, and avoid hot drinks during this time too.
Cold or frozen drinks can irritate healing tissue and are best avoided in week one.
Room temperature water and hydrating fluids are essential and encouraged right after surgery.
Drink carefully—no bumping your nose with the cup or over-sucking on straws.
Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages in the first 5-7 days after the surgery. If you are taking painkiller medication, this is a good enough reason by itself but not the only one.
When you drink alcohol, your nose may swell up. This will not only look bad but slows down the healing process too.
As your body breaks down alcohol it uses a lot of water in the process. As a result of dehydration and the opening of the blood vessels, the body becomes bloated.
Dehydration can also delay the healing process. Overall, this lengthens the amount of time it takes to show results.
This is the last thing most patients who have undergone rhinoplasty want to see.
After the first week, if the recovery is going well, there’s no reason why you cannot enjoy an alcoholic beverage or two in moderation after your surgery.
It is best to avoid caffeinated beverages while you are recovering but at least during the first 3 days.
When combined with pain medication, caffeine can cause discomfort and cause an inability to sleep. Consuming caffeine can also cause dehydration which is another issue you are trying to avoid.
If you must drink coffee, green tea, black tea, or a caffeinated soda try consuming less than you normally would and cool it down to room temperature before drinking.
You can also drink as much decaffeinated coffee or tea as you want.
If you are regularly drinking green tea for its health benefits, decaffeinated green tea extract should provide those during the recovery period.
Hor drinks, including coffee and tea, but also other hot beverages such as hot chocolate should be avoided during the fists 3 days following a nose job.
The sinuses are stimulated by the heat, potentially causing more nasal mucus buildup and bleeding in your nasal area.
Hot drinks and meals can also dilate blood vessels and increase the swelling of your surgery area.
Avoid frozen or cold drinks during the recovery period. The last thing you wanna risk is catching a cold or even just a sore throat while your nose is still blocked and bleeding after surgery.
Consume cool or room temperature drinks until your nose is healed.
Your body needs plenty of water to help the healing process. Drink 2 liters of water during the first 2 days after the procedure. Keep up this rate in the following days too if you can.
You can start drinking water soon after surgery. It’s best to stay with water or room temperature soft drinks, juices, or decaffeinated tea.
If the recovery process is going well after 3 days, you can start raising the temperature of your coffee or tea gradually, still keeping it decaffeinated if possible.
If you must drink caffeine, start with small amounts after 3 days. Keep in mind that you still need plenty of sleep during this period so make sure that caffeine does not interfere with rest.
It’s best to stay off alcohol until full recovery but if you have a celebration coming up after a week, you can make an exemption.
If you drink low to moderate amounts of alcohol after surgery, this is unlikely to increase your risk of complications.
Drinking more, however, increases your risk. You can negatively affect your immune system with as little as two or three drinks per day.
| Timeframe | What to Drink | What to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Day 0 (Surgery Day) | Small sips of water (if cleared by your surgeon) | All other drinks |
| Days 1–2 | Water, diluted juices, room temperature herbal tea | Hot drinks, caffeine, alcohol, dairy, frozen drinks |
| Days 3–7 | Water, decaf tea/coffee, juices, electrolyte drinks | Caffeine (limit), alcohol, very hot or cold drinks |
| Week 2 | Most non-alcoholic drinks (room temperature preferred) | Alcohol (still best avoided if on meds) |
| After Week 2 | Resume normal hydration (as advised by your surgeon) | Alcohol in excess, anything that irritates your nose |
There is conflicting information around the web regarding the use of straws for drinking after nose surgery.
You can drink with a straw, just as you can drink from a cup. The most important thing is to do it carefully either way.
When you are drinking from a straw, do it slowly and avoid sucking on it too hard, trying to drink the last remaining liquid from the bottom of the glass.
When using a cup or a glass, make sure you don’t bump your nose into the brim in the process.
Yes, drinking alcohol within the first week after rhinoplasty can negatively impact your recovery. Alcohol dilates blood vessels, increasing swelling and bruising around the nose. It also dehydrates the body and interferes with medications such as antibiotics or painkillers. To protect your results and avoid complications, you should avoid alcohol for at least 7 days after surgery, or longer if advised by your surgeon.
Yes, drinking water directly supports healing and helps reduce post-surgical swelling. Staying hydrated improves blood circulation, supports your immune system, and helps flush out toxins that contribute to inflammation. After rhinoplasty, aim to drink at least 2 litres of water daily during the first week and continue this habit throughout your recovery.
No, you should avoid milk and other dairy products for at least 7 days after rhinoplasty. Dairy can increase mucus production, which may lead to nasal congestion and discomfort while your nasal passages are healing. To minimise congestion and support a smoother recovery, replace milk with water, clear broths, or non-dairy alternatives.
No, you should not drink alcohol for at least 7 days before rhinoplasty surgery. Alcohol thins the blood, increasing the risk of bleeding during the procedure, and can interfere with anaesthesia. To reduce the risk of surgical complications, follow your pre-operative instructions and remain alcohol-free for the full week leading up to surgery.
No, you should not drink caffeinated coffee for at least the first 3 days after rhinoplasty. Caffeine can cause dehydration, interfere with sleep, and may elevate blood pressure — all of which can delay healing. If you wish to drink coffee after day 3, start with small amounts and avoid drinking it hot. Decaffeinated coffee is safe to consume starting from day 1, as long as it’s not too hot.
Yes, it is safe to use a straw after rhinoplasty if done carefully. Avoid creating strong suction or drinking thick liquids that require force to sip, as this can strain healing tissues. When using a straw, drink slowly and gently. Alternatively, use a cup or glass, making sure not to bump your nose. Both methods are safe as long as you’re cautious.
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