Question: Are there any differences in the recovery between open and closed rhinoplasty procedures?
Answer: While many rhinoplasty patients are told that there is a difference in recovery between open and closed approaches, the main difference is in duration and extent of post rhinoplasty swelling and scar tissue at the tip of the nose as well as numbness of the nasal tip. Recovery is slightly different between the two nose job approaches but recovery after a rhinoplasty is more a function of extent of work being done by the plastic surgeon as well as the individual patient’s unique anatomy such as skin thickness, etc. With all things being equal, close rhinoplasty does have a somewhat quicker resolution of post op swelling and shorter “recovery time” although in either approach, “final results” take many years to develop while the down time is about 7 to 10 days. This highlights the many phases of healing and recovery after rhinoplasty.
