What Is the Downtime for Full Nose Plastic Surgery? Post-Surgery Care and Precautions Explained

"Nose rhinoplasty surgery" can dramatically change the impression of your nose.

In particular, full nose rhinoplasty combines multiple surgical procedures targeting areas such as the nose bridge, nose tip, and nostrils, making it possible to reshape the entire nose in a single surgery.

In this article, KAI CLINIC TOKYO explains the expected downtime, how to spend it, and precautions for full nose rhinoplasty surgery.

Expected Downtime for Full Nose Rhinoplasty Surgery

To get straight to the point, the peak of downtime is 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, the downtime lasts approximately 3 months, and the final result takes about 6 months—or up to 1 year for some patients.

Condition in the 1st Week After Surgery

If swelling appears around the eyes, the peak is typically on day 2.

Generally, if osteotomy (bone cutting) is performed, a cast will be applied from the eyes to the nose tip for 1 week after surgery. The cast can be partially concealed with a mask, but it will still be slightly visible, so those who do not want others at work to notice will need to take at least 1 week off.

Depending on the procedure, it may be possible to conceal the cast with a men's mask, so please confirm this with your doctor during the pre-surgery consultation.

Condition in the 2nd Week After Surgery

By around 1 week after surgery when the stitches are removed, the swelling around the eyes should have subsided.

After the cast is removed, some swelling of the nose will remain, but by around day 10, the significant swelling will have settled down.

The general timeline for returning to normal daily life is as follows:

• Those who recover quickly: Can return to normal life 1 week after the cast is removed
• Those who take a cautious approach: Can return to normal life 10 days to 2 weeks after the cast is removed

Condition 1 Month and Beyond After Surgery

After 1 month following full nose rhinoplasty surgery, the condition is as follows:

Time Elapsed	Condition
1 month after surgery	Approximately 30% swelling remains
3 months after surgery	Approximately 10% swelling remains
6 months to 1 year after surgery	Final result achieved

How to Spend the Downtime and Precautions for Full Nose Rhinoplasty Surgery

For full nose rhinoplasty surgery, which can take up to 1 year to reach its final result, how you spend the downtime is extremely important.

Sleep on Your Back

In general, please sleep on your back for 3 months to protect your nose.

After 3 months, you may generally feel free to resume normal activities, but sleeping with your pillow slightly elevated will help reduce swelling.

Do not apply strong pressure to the surgical area

Blowing your nose forcefully can affect the columella, so please wait approximately six months before doing so.

This varies depending on the procedure, but you will generally be able to blow your nose gently starting around two weeks after surgery.

Avoid wearing glasses or sunglasses for the first week after surgery

In general, you may wear glasses after suture removal (approximately 1–2 weeks post-surgery).

However, if you have undergone rhinoplasty or autologous tissue procedures, please avoid wearing glasses or sunglasses for 3–6 months.

Diet management

It is important to eat regular meals without skipping them, and especially to consume adequate protein.

However, please be careful not to consume too much salt.

Avoid alcohol for 2 weeks after surgery

If swelling has subsided after 2 weeks, moderate amounts of alcohol are acceptable.

However, there is a risk of falling or bumping the treated area, so please avoid excessive drinking and social drinking situations.

Avoid strenuous exercise for 2 weeks to 1 month

Please monitor bruising and swelling and resume activity gradually under your doctor's guidance.

Remaining in bed continuously after surgery may actually prolong swelling. Try to take light walks starting from the day after surgery.

Be cautious with contact with pets

If you live with pets, please take thorough precautions to prevent bacterial infection, such as the following.

• Do not touch the treated area with hands that have touched your pet
• Disinfect with alcohol after touching your pet
• Have your pet sleep in a separate room
• Wear a mask, etc.

Other precautions

In addition to the precautions introduced above, please also keep the following points in mind during your downtime.

• Do not touch or wet the surgical area
• Do not irritate intraoral wounds for approximately 1 month after surgery:
  avoid foods that are too hot, too spicy, or too hard
• Be careful not to put force around the nose while chewing
• Wait at least 1 month before applying makeup to the nose

Side effects and risks of full nose surgery

The possible side effects and risks of full nose surgery are as follows.

Swelling	Bruising	Pain	Edema	Redness
Scarring	Infection	Asymmetry	Hypertrophic scar	Deviation
Relapse	Discomfort	Skin necrosis	—	—

Case studies of full nose surgery at KAI CLINIC TOKYO

At KAI CLINIC TOKYO, where we pursue beauty, we have performed full nose surgery for many patients.

Here we introduce some case studies of our full nose surgery.

Full nose surgery ①

【Surgeon】
Takafumi Saito
【Treatment details / Fees】
Costal cartilage harvesting: ¥660,000 / Auricular cartilage harvesting: ¥165,000 / Septum extension: ¥495,000 / Tip plasty: ¥330,000 / Alar base reduction: ¥275,000 / General anesthesia: ¥220,000 / FatXcore (1 vial | under chin): ¥165,000
【Risks / Side effects】
Swelling, bruising, pain, edema, redness, scarring, infection, etc.

View full facial surgery case studies in detail

Full nose surgery ②

【Surgeon】
Takafumi Saito
【Treatment details / Fees】
Costal cartilage harvesting: ¥660,000 / Auricular cartilage harvesting: ¥165,000 / Septal extension: ¥495,000 / Tip plasty: ¥330,000 / Alar base reduction (aristocrat surgery): ¥275,000 / Rhinoplasty: ¥330,000 / Revision from another clinic: ¥220,000
【Risks / Side effects】
Bruising, swelling, infection, hypertrophic scar, deviation, asymmetry, relapse, discomfort, skin necrosis, etc.

View full facial surgery case studies in detail

Full nose surgery × Facial contouring surgery

【Surgeon】
Takafumi Saito
【Treatment details】
Tip plasty: ¥330,000 / Septal extension: ¥495,000 / Auricular cartilage harvesting: ¥165,000 / Costal cartilage harvesting: ¥660,000 / Alar base reduction (aristocrat surgery): ¥275,000 / V-line contouring: ¥1,694,000 / General anesthesia: ¥220,000
【Risks / Side effects】
Bruising, swelling, infection, hypertrophic scar, deviation, asymmetry, relapse, discomfort, skin necrosis, etc.

View full facial surgery case studies in detail

For full nose surgery, please consult KAI CLINIC TOKYO

At KAI CLINIC TOKYO, your attending doctor will check on you during the post-operative downtime period.

We also offer comprehensive care including antibiotic drips and anti-swelling medications as needed, as well as KO light therapy to support your recovery during downtime.

If you are considering full nose surgery or have any questions or concerns, please feel free to book a consultation via LINE.

Frequently Asked Questions About Full Nose Rhinoplasty Downtime

How many days after surgery will it be hard for others to notice the nose job?

After 2 weeks, it becomes difficult for others to notice. As more time passes and you can conceal it with makeup, it becomes even harder to detect.

However, if the shape has changed, people who knew you before the surgery may still notice.

When can I blow my nose?

This varies depending on the procedure, but around 2 weeks after surgery, you may gently blow your nose.

However, blowing your nose forcefully with pressure can affect the columella, so you will need to wait about 6 months before doing so.

Is it okay to smoke after full nose rhinoplasty?

Cigarette smoke increases the risk of infection, so we strongly recommend continuing to abstain from smoking as much as possible.

For revision surgeries or patients with poor circulation, please refrain from smoking for about 3 months. For simple procedures, smoking may be permitted from 1 month after surgery in some cases.

Additionally, for nose surgery, you will need to stop smoking 1 month before the procedure.

Is it okay to laugh during the downtime period?

Movement may be restricted due to Botox injections, but please avoid expressions such as laughing loudly that could affect the nose.

Is it okay to receive Indiba treatment after surgery?

Please refrain from receiving this treatment as there is a risk of distorting the shape.

Should I apply heat or cold after surgery?

Please apply cold for the first 3 days after surgery, and then switch to applying heat thereafter.

Can I use a sauna or public bath during the downtime period?

To prevent infection after surgery, please refrain from using saunas for at least 2 weeks and public baths for about 1 month.

Summary

During the downtime period after "full nose rhinoplasty," which combines surgical procedures on multiple areas such as the nasal bridge, nasal tip, and nostrils, it is important to follow your doctor's instructions and take proper care of yourself.

At KAI CLINIC TOKYO, we provide thorough pre-operative consultations as well as comprehensive post-operative aftercare.

If you would like to resolve any concerns about full nose rhinoplasty and achieve the beauty you desire, please feel free to contact our clinic for a consultation.