Rhinoplasty Aftercare, Day By Day
This guide covers what you need to know during the first 7+ days of your Rhinoplasty surgery recovery, to ensure you are recovering as safely as possible and are fully aware of how to perform your normal daily routines.
The most important aspect of Post-Rhinoplasty surgery is never to assess your results in the first 7-14 days after surgery. You may naturally see angular changes to your profile and a size reduction instantly, but there will always be internal nasal bruising and swelling to your nasal tip and upper bridge in the first several weeks that needs to reduce. Though you may return to full energy within 1-2 days of rest, your nose begins the process of swelling reduction once the nasal splint has been removed.
Medically reviewed by Mr Taimur Shoaib, Consultant Plastic Surgeon (GMC 3615443), Berkeley Square Medical, 64 Harley Street, London. Last reviewed 22 October 2026.
Your First Seven Days
Please note that this section is an observation of what to expect as a guideline.
Date Of Surgery
- You may feel tired and/or nauseous in the first 24 hours after surgery. This is entirely normal and may lead to vomiting. This is commonly caused by the numerous medications and fluids that were administered that your body wishes to dispel. This is reported in 5% of post-Rhinoplasty patients.
- Your bruising around your eyes will be visible.
- Your nose may likely appear upturned / over-rotated. As the swelling starts after surgery, your swelling may cause an upturn of your nasal tip and expose more of your nostrils. This is nothing to be concerned about and is not permanent. As the swelling reduces over the next several weeks, the nasal tip will return to its normal position.
Day 1
- Your bruising will have increased from the previous day, and the swelling will likely have increased around your upper eyelids. This is normal, and we expect this in all patients. It is also normal to have swelling to the cheeks and jawline.
- You may still be bleeding from the nose, which should be continued to be managed by using the disposable drip pads and tape we provided you to collect any discharge. This should be used until you have observed the bleeding stop.
- If you bought any herbal products like Arnica, you can resume these from today.
- Your nose will be almost blocked completely, and you may have to resort to occasional breathing through your mouth, especially at night. You are able to use any decongestant nasal sprays or saltwater sprays we previously advised from 24-hours after surgery.
Day 2
- Your bruising will further increase and be visibly more apparent around the eyes and cheeks. This is normal, and we expect this to look more intense than the previous day.
- You may still be bleeding but at a very slow rate. 40% of patients on day 2 will still have discharge/bleeding to manage.
- Your breathing will still be constricted, and this is normal.
Day 3 · Usually The Peak
- Your bruising and swelling will now be reaching a peak and will look slightly more than the swelling from day 2. Either or both of your eyes may be swollen, causing a limitation in opening your eyes fully. This is normal, and you have now likely reached the peak of swelling. 20% of patients may have slightly swollen cheeks and soreness further down towards the jawline. This is not uncommon and is nothing to be concerned about.
- Any bleeding should have stopped entirely for 95% of patients. 5% of patients may still have a continuation of slight discharge. If this is the case, lay back in an upright position and place an ice pack on your forehead (not on your nose) and leave for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove the ice pack and rest for 10 minutes before re-applying the ice pack for another 10 minutes. Please continue to do this for 60 minutes and let the remaining discharge slowly stop itself.
- If you assess the inside of your nose, expect swelling, blood clots and inflamed tissue. Do not be concerned about this; this is temporary and should not be touched. This will be for every Rhinoplasty patient.
Day 4
- Your bleeding will have stopped by this day, but if it has not, please get in touch with us, and we will observe and advise, but again it is nothing to worry about.
- Finally, your bruising, purple skin areas and swelling will begin reduction on this day. You may see yellow pigmented skin around the lining of your bruising, and this is a sign of recovery.
- Please expect your nostrils to look slightly asymmetrical. Almost 70% of patients will see asymmetry around their noses, which is nothing to worry about. It is worth reminding you that assuming this will be a prevailing result will lead to unnecessary concern. You are on day 4 of a 12-month recovery, and making observations at this stage is not advisable.
Day 5
- You will see a much-improved decrease in swelling and bruising compared to Day 3. You may see more areas of yellow pigment around the skin as the swelling increases in the recovery speed.
- Your nasal splint may look slightly off-centre due to the swelling, and in about 1 in 5 patients it may have become loose. For most patients, the splint will be securely attached. If your splint becomes loose or comes off early, call the clinic first and keep the splint; do not try to re-attach or re-tape it.
- Should you still find it difficult to breathe, this is normal. However, you can discontinue the Paracetamol if you are not in any pain.
Day 6
- A further reduction to bruising and discolouration and your facial movements may feel more flexible.
- On the night before your 7-day post-operative nursing review, soak your splint, either in the shower or by pouring several cups of water over it while leaning over the sink. This helps loosen the adhesive, so having the splint removed the next day is more comfortable for you.
- Your post-operative review might be booked on this day if this was arranged accordingly by our team.
Day 7
- This is commonly your post-operative date when you will be back to see us for the removal of sutures and splint (if applicable).
- Again there will be further reduction where virtually all bruising would have subsided with trace amounts remaining.
How You Will Feel
General Anaesthesia
As part of your surgery, you were administered General Anaesthesia. It is not uncommon for anaesthesia to cause nausea or sickness whilst at the hospital. We will provide you with Anti-sickness medication during your stay to manage this. It is likely that the feeling of nausea is still present after leaving our hospital. If you are sick when returning home, this is normal and may cause your nose to bleed, but it is nothing to be concerned about. Should you be sick, it is important to replenish any lost body salts and to keep hydrated with fluids.
Your Medications
It is essential to take all medications that we have given you. In most cases, you would have been given the following:
• Ibuprofen
Take 400mg every 6 hours with food. This is to help with any swelling and inflammation.
• Paracetamol
Take 2 tablets every 4 hours. This is to control any moderate pain/discomfort.
Please do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours.
Most patients feel no pain but do not be concerned if there is slight pain. You can avoid any onset of pain if you continue to take both the above tablets on time as soon as you leave the hospital.
If you are on any other prescription medications, please continue to take them as normal after surgery, unless you have been told otherwise.
For all herbal supplements, dietary products, vitamins, etc. You can restart these 24 hours after your surgery.
- Arnica
Arnica is a holistic product you may have been previously advised to purchase. You can resume taking these from when you return home after surgery, from the first evening onwards.
- Decongestant Sprays / Salt Sprays
You are permitted to use these sprays from 24 hours after surgery.
Advice About Bleeding
Bleeding is the most common after-effect of a Rhinoplasty, and most of the discharge will occur in the first 24-48 hours after the surgery.
It is common to have the odd slight nosebleed for up to 1 week after the surgery, but this is considered normal and nothing to be concerned about.
Bruising & Swelling
Bruising is as common as bleeding, and a Rhinoplasty is performed in an area where soft skin tissue is present near your eyes and cheeks, which is susceptible to swelling and bruising.
Bruising Locations always vary. You can have bruising in the lower eye bag area or in some cases, in the upper eyelid. In common circumstances, your cheeks may be slightly swollen down to your jawline. As mentioned above, this is the softest tissue closest to the nose that responds to trauma. Bruising around these areas will continue to increase for up to 72 hours after your surgery and then begin to reduce and disappear over 7-10 days.
Bruising and swelling can’t be predicted perfectly. Every patient's defence against trauma is different, and for this reason, you may recover faster or slower than a person who you know has had this surgery before.
What is important to remember is that swelling and bruising is not permanent, your skin will heal quickly and bruising and discoloration disappear completely once you have recovered.
Recovery Tips
Tips And Tricks To Bruising/Swelling
- Arnica tablets are safe to take, but there is no medical evidence that they reduce bruising or swelling. If you choose to take them, they are taken before and after the surgery.
- Using Ice Packs (Homemade or Disposable) are great to apply when you come home after surgery. They will help “freeze” the increased swelling of the nasal/eye area. It is important never to apply ice packs on the nose itself (the nasal bridge). Always apply ice packs to the forehead or around the eyes.
- You must continue taking Ibuprofen after surgery to keep the swelling down as best as possible.
Caring For It
Changing Your Dressings
Nasal Packing
Mr Shoaib avoids nasal packing wherever the surgery allows, and any packing that is needed is removed about 2 hours after surgery, before you leave the hospital.
Nasal Padding
The nasal padding covering your nostrils is to collect the remaining bleeding discharge. Generally, these can be removed after 24-48 hours when the bleeding has stopped. Commonly, some patients need to wait a few days before the bleeding has completely stopped before they can stop applying the padding completely.
Nasal Splint
Your splint must not be removed. This will be removed at your 7-day post-operative review by our nursing team.
On the night before that review, soak the splint in the shower, or pour several cups of water over it while leaning over the sink. This helps loosen the adhesive, so removing the splint the following day is more comfortable for you.
Your nasal splint is solely to protect your nose from trauma. If you notice your nasal splint is slightly bent and not sitting on your nose completely straight, this is fine and is not leaning/bending your nose during your recovery. Nasal splints will often move to one side as the swelling on one side pushes it away.
Around 1 in 5 patients may experience loosening of the nasal splint. This can be caused by the nose swelling reduction pulling away from the splint or even oily skin dislodging the splint. If your splint becomes loose or falls off early, call the clinic first and keep the splint; do not try to re-attach or re-tape it. Try not to assess your nose, as the width of the nose will appear wider and swollen.
It is absolutely crucial that your nasal splint stays dry until the night before your 7-day post-operative nursing review. Do not let water enter under or around the splint before then. If you feel the splint may have become wet, please contact the clinic.
How To Clean Your Nose
Key Facts: Only start the below process of cleaning your nose once your bleeding has completely stopped and you have removed the nasal padding (drip pad). Use a saline spray or gentle saline rinse 2 to 5 times a day to soften and clear dried blood and crusting, as your team advises. Be patient when cleaning your nose after rhinoplasty surgery.
Step 1: Soak a cotton bud in saline and gently clean only around the rim of each nostril, never inside the nose. This slowly softens and lifts the crusty discharge. Do not pick or push anything inside your nose for 3 weeks (4 weeks after septorhinoplasty, revision or graft surgery).
Step 2: With a fresh cotton bud, apply a thin layer of Vaseline at the edge of each nostril. Do not use hydrogen peroxide.
Blowing Your Nose
Do not blow your nose for about 2 to 3 weeks (about 4 weeks after septorhinoplasty, revision or graft surgery), as blowing will likely encourage bleeding. Try to use a saltwater spray to help clean the inside of your nose instead. Normal blowing with both nostrils is usually fine from about 4 weeks.
Checking For Infection
Bacterial Infections after Rhinoplasty are quite rare. There are two signs to look out for when checking for infection:
- Your bleeding has stopped completely but after several days/weeks you have a sudden bout of profuse bleeding. This may likely be due to a wound breakdown and antibiotics may be prescribed. In extremely rare cases (less than 1%), you may need to have the nasal packing re-inserted to absorb and stop the bleeding.
- Extreme swelling to the width of your nose specifically between your eyes and swelling/redness in the corner of your eye(s). This is likely an infection and requires antibiotics to treat.
What Is Not An Infection
Patients often observe an off smell in their noses or a bitter taste in their mouths a week or so after surgery. This is caused by regaining improved senses of taste and smell after nose surgery but also as the sinus ducts are likely swollen causing the mucus productions to contain an off smell/bitter taste. In this case, try to use a saltwater spray to irrigate your nasal channels up to 5 times daily and include a decongestant spray at night for 3-4 nights.
A bacterial infection is nothing to be concerned about as long as it’s treated within a reasonable time.
At Home
Movement & Activity
There are no restrictions to movements or any day-to-day house chores however, try to ensure you do not bend your head down for too long a period or lift any heavy objects E.g suitcases, heavy grocery bag etc. This is to avoid a rush of blood to the head and risk of a nasal bleed.
Eating & Drinking
What To Eat/Drink
There are no restrictions to eating/drinking. For the first few days after surgery, try to avoid spicy food and overly hot drinks. I.e let coffee/tea etc cool slightly before consuming.
Sleeping At Night
Sleeping for some patients on the first several nights can be disrupted.
On your first 7-nights (only), you can sleep on your back or side (shoulder) but always ensure your head is elevated. This is to ensure good circulation, which helps improve your healing time. At least 1-2 pillows under your head are recommended.
Showering & Hygiene
Bathing/Showering
You can shower anytime after your Rhinoplasty with the help of a few tips:
- Never let your splint get wet until the night before your 7-day post-operative nursing review. On that night, soak it in the shower or with several cups of water over the sink to help loosen the adhesive before it is removed the next day.
- Try to use a hand shower and wash your whole body as normal, but be careful about bending your head downwards.
- Keep the temperature of the water lukewarm.
Getting Going Again
Returning To Your Routine
- The first 7 days after surgery, try to rest and relax at home and don’t begin strenuous exercises.
- Returning to work can take 7-14 days from your Rhinoplasty procedure.
- Returning to the gym can be after 7 days after the surgery for light cardio exercise, running and cycling.
- Returning to heavy weight lifting can be from 6 weeks after surgery only. Any lifting before may cause nasal bleeding.
- Returning to swimming/sauna/spa only after 6 weeks. This ensures all incisions are fully healed and not open to a possible infection.
- Returning to facials, facial peeling, or any cosmetic treatments to the face should only be considered 8-12 weeks after your surgery.
- You can use all your everyday skincare products after 7 days post-rhinoplasty.
Flying After Rhinoplasty
- Short-haul flights of 2 hours or less can be taken 24 hours after your surgery. You will have special guidance provided about this.
- Mid-haul flights of 2-4 hours can be taken after 5 days
- Long haul flights of 4-12 hours can be taken after 7 days from your Rhinoplasty surgery
Frequently Asked Questions During Recovery
I'm finding it impossible to breathe through my nose. Can anything be done?
During the first 28 days, you may find it difficult to breathe through your nose and may resort to having to breathe through your mouth. Unfortunately, this is considered the most discomforting aspect of initial recovery. Some patients find relief in taking a nasal decongestant spray, Menthol Crystals can sometimes help with initial relief.
My nasal splint looks lopsided. Is this ok?
Your splint is to protect against any knocks to the nose accidentally. Your splint may be pushed to one side from swelling, forcing the splint to look bent. This does not mean the nose is recovering to one side. In all instances, keep your splint dry until the night before your 7-day post-operative nursing review, when you should soak it in the shower or with several cups of water over the sink to help loosen the adhesive.
I've looked up my nose, and it looks infected. Do I need antibiotics?
Your nose has the following:
- Swelling from the walls on the nose
- Inflamed balls of tissue
- Dried Blood/Mucus.
- Internal stitches (dissolvable) that look like white thread.
When added all together, your nose inside may appear of concern. However, all aspects above are a part of the healing process and should be left to heal, dry and shed naturally. This can take several weeks.
My nasal splint is peeling off. Is this ok?
Swelling and oily skin can contribute to the splint peeling away. If this happens, do not attempt to remove the splint yourself. If it is becoming loose or comes off, call the clinic first and keep the splint; do not try to re-attach or re-tape it.
My nostrils look asymmetrical; is this a final result?
Not at all. You should not be assessing your nose at this point. Swelling will always cause some or all of the following appearances, and none of these should be of concern:
- Your nasal tip appears too high - this is due to the swelling of the nose raising the tip upwards, and it will settle down back to normal as your swelling reduces.
- Your nasal tip appears bulbous - in some instances, it may become more bulbous than before surgery. Again swelling has filled the nasal tip and requires time to reduce and reduce in size.
- Your nostrils are different shapes/sizes - this is very common. Swelling on either side of your nose may pull, stretch or weigh down on one/both nostrils and this is temporary while the swelling is applying weight on the tip.
If You're Worried About Your Recovery
Most early symptoms, such as swelling, bruising, a blocked nose and small nosebleeds, are a normal part of healing and are explained in the sections below. This is your guide to when to seek extra help.
Call 999 straight away (do not wait to contact the clinic first) if you have any of these:
- Sudden shortness of breath, or real difficulty breathing (this is different from a blocked, stuffy nose, which is normal)
- Chest pain
- Pain, swelling or tenderness in your calf or leg
- Heavy bleeding you cannot stop, that keeps soaking through even after you pinch the soft part of your nose firmly for 10 to 15 minutes
After any operation these can, rarely, be signs of a blood clot and need emergency care.
Contact the clinic if you notice any of the following:
- Heavy bleeding that does not settle, or a sudden heavy nosebleed after your bleeding had already stopped.
- A high temperature, or feeling generally unwell and feverish, or spreading swelling and redness between or around your eyes, which can be a sign of infection.
- Severe pain that is not eased by the painkillers you were given.
- You feel very unwell, or you are simply unsure and would like reassurance.
