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After a nose job, one of the most common recovery questions patients ask is how soon they can safely resume sex. While it’s a normal part of life, sexual activity can increase blood pressure and risk unintentional bumps to the healing nose. In this article, we’ll explain when it’s safe to get intimate, how to avoid complications, and what your surgeon might recommend based on your stage of recovery.
Light sexual activity is usually safe after 10 days, but more vigorous movements should wait until around 3 weeks post-surgery.
Avoid positions where your nose could be accidentally bumped or compressed.
Use gentle positions like missionary or spooning to protect your nose during intimacy.
If you feel throbbing, swelling, or pressure, stop and rest.
Every patient heals differently—always follow your surgeon’s advice for personalised guidance.
Once you’ve passed the initial recovery milestones, you can begin to judge when it’s safe to be intimate again. Most patients are cleared for light sexual activity around day 10, but should wait 18 to 21 days before engaging in anything vigorous.
To avoid accidental bumps or pressure on your healing nose, stick to gentle positions—like missionary—where you face each other and can keep an eye on swelling or redness. Start slowly, and if you feel any throbbing, tenderness, or discomfort in your nose, it’s best to pause and give your body more time to heal.
| Timeframe | What’s Safe | What to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–7 | Rest only, light walking is okay | All sexual activity, vigorous movement, any risk of bumping the nose |
| Days 8–10 | Light intimacy if healing well, avoid touching the nose | Positions that risk bumping or applying pressure to the face |
| Days 11–21 | Gentle sex in safe positions (e.g., missionary, spooning) | Vigorous sex, intense movement, anything causing swelling or pain |
| After 3 Weeks | Resume normal sexual activity if cleared by your surgeon | Ignore any lingering discomfort or swelling |
Here are the 5 most important tips to help recover as fast as possible:
Make sure that you always follow your surgeons’ instructions. The most important thing is never to be embarrassed asking these questions to members of our team at Berkeley Square Medical.
Most patients can resume light sexual activity around 10 days after surgery, as long as there is no pressure or contact with the nose. Vigorous movement should be avoided until around 18 to 21 days post-op.
Yes. Intense physical activity, increased blood pressure, or accidental contact with the nose can lead to swelling, bleeding, or shifting of the healing structure. It’s important to be gentle and wait the full recovery period.
Positions that minimise contact with your nose are best. Missionary or spooning positions are typically safest, as they help reduce the risk of accidental bumps or pressure.
Signs you may have resumed too soon include swelling, redness, nasal throbbing, or pain. If this happens, stop activity immediately and rest. Contact your surgeon if symptoms persist.
Yes. Sexual activity increases heart rate and blood pressure, which can worsen swelling in the first few weeks after surgery. Keep activity slow and gentle to avoid complications.
Kissing gently may be safe after about 7–10 days, but avoid anything forceful. Even light contact to the nose area can affect healing if done too early.
Vigorous activity, including workouts and more active sexual movements, should be avoided for at least 18 to 21 days post-rhinoplasty. Your surgeon may advise longer based on your healing progress.
London Cosmetic Surgery Group, Berkeley Square Medical, is one of the UK’s leading providers of cosmetic surgery specialising in all types of cosmetic rhinoplasty surgery based in London.
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