Rhinoplasty: How Can You Tell What’s Normal After Your Surgery?

Many patients who choose to undergo a Toronto Rhinoplasty are curious about what to expect after the procedure. When it comes to swelling and bruising, it is natural to wonder what is normal and question how to determine if you’re healing as expected.

At Solomon Facial Plastic, Dr. Philip Solomon, an Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon, practicing Facial Plastic Surgery for 20 years in Toronto, is a highly sought after and experienced Rhinoplasty specialist. Having performed thousands of surgeries over the course of his career addressing a wide array of issues and complications, his patients typically experience minimal discomfort following their procedure. However, it is still helpful to know what is normal in the days and weeks following your surgery.

The first thing to remember, is that it is completely natural to experience bruising, swelling, and in some cases, even numbness in the first few days after your surgery. Swelling usually peaks around 48 hours following the procedure, after which it slowly begins to subside. Nonetheless, it is not uncommon for residual swelling to persist for weeks or even months in the nasal tip area.

Following a Toronto Rhinoplasty, patients will usually have a nasal splint in place for 7-10 days. Once this is removed, although there will still be moderate swelling, most patients are comfortable enough to return to work and social activities at this time.

It is also normal for patients to experience varying degrees of bruising that will also dissipate over the course of the first week. For those who are uncomfortable with the appearance of bruising, it is safe to use concealer to help cover it up as well.

It is important to understand that a Toronto Rhinoplasty is a complex and major facial surgery, from which it takes the body time to heal and recover. Many patients do not realize that it takes a considerable amount of patience to see the results they are hoping for.

On average, it tends to take around a month for the swelling to subside to a point where patients are happy with the results from their procedure.

No two patients will have the exact same experience when it comes to recovery after a Toronto Rhinoplasty. Some patients will have limited swelling and very minimal discomfort, whereas others may have more swelling which takes longer to resolve.

The recovery will also vary depending on the extent and type of work that has been performed. For instance, the more extensive the procedure is, the longer swelling may last. Also if it is primarily the tip of the nose that has been altered, swelling can be expected to last longer, as the tip holds on to swelling longer than other parts of the nose.

It is important in either event, to ensure that you follow the postoperative care instructions very carefully that have been provided by your surgeon. In doing so, you give yourself the best possible chance of having a speedy and comfortable recovery.

Dr. Philip Solomon takes tremendous pride in his individualized approach to cosmetic surgery and works closely with all his patients to ensure that their journey is as comfortable as possible. If at any time in your recovery you have concerns, do not hesitate to contact our Toronto Rhinoplasty clinic for a follow up with Dr. Solomon to put your mind at ease.