When it comes to the recovery period of a rhinoplasty procedure there are a few things that any potential patient can expect. For starters, the average patient will receive a "cast" which can be composed of various things but most commonly it is a steri-strip covered with a splint. Some surgeons will pack the nose while others will not, but in general the stitches from the rhinoplasty are on the flap of skin in between the nostrils. All of this is generally removed after 7 days have passed, but they can be irritating from time to time.

It is important that during you recovery period that you do not take any types of medication that can thin your blood out. While this is generally the case with literally every type of surgery, when it comes to a rhinoplasty you must realize that you may get a nose lead and the only way to stop it is to use packing which can be painful to put in as well as remove.

During the first week it is ok and suggested that you get up and walk around a bit but try not to lift any weight or for that matter bend over more than you have to. You may be able to return to work when you feel well enough to but all of this depends on whether you are comfortable with going out in public with the splint on your nose. You will also have some bruising and swelling in the nasal area at this time. These bruises also mean that it is possible to look as if you have a black eye.

On week two you can begin to jog again but only if the jogging is light. Matter of fact any type of light aerobic exercise is generally fine to do by the second week of the rhinoplasty recovery period. Then by the end of the 3rd week you can return to your normal daily activities unless those activities include contact sports. If you are into contact sports you will generally have to wait for 7 to 8 weeks to return to these activities.