Nose Hit After Rhinoplasty: What to Do if It Happens?

Mirror 3D Imaging
Lady with plaster on nose while doctor examining patients face after plastic surgery

It’s every patient’s worst nightmare. After finally getting that rhinoplasty procedure you’ve wanted so much, you have an accidental bump that could completely ruin your results.

It’s a scenario that almost every patient worries about, but is a hit nose after rhinoplasty really that disastrous? And what should you do if you accidentally bump your nose after rhinoplasty?

Read on and we’ll fill you in on what you need to know.

What Can Happen if You Have a Nose Hit After Rhinoplasty?

While the idea of a nose bump after rhinoplasty can be very concerning, in most cases, a slight bump shouldn’t cause significant damage to your new nose. The amount of damage caused by a nose bump will largely depend on the severity of the hit and how long it’s been since your rhinoplasty.

Your new nose will be most vulnerable in the first one to two weeks following the procedure, and it generally takes around six to eight weeks for your nose to regain strength similar to what it would have been like prior to your procedure. For this reason, a minor hit on the nose one month after rhinoplasty is likely to have a lesser impact compared to a nose bump when you’re only one week into your recovery.

If your nose does take a significant hit during the early recovery period, there is the potential of the nasal bones being displaced which could require a rhinoplasty revision.

Simple Ways to Prevent a Nose Hit After Rhinoplasty

If you want to avoid having to front up to your doctor saying “I accidentally bumped my nose after rhinoplasty”, “I hit my nose 1 week after rhinoplasty” or “my dog hit nose after rhinoplasty”, it’s important to know what not to do after rhinoplasty.

Here are some helpful tips you should follow to minimize the likelihood of experiencing a nose bump:

  • Follow your doctor’s instructions about how to sleep after rhinoplasty. Sleeping in a slightly elevated position propped up by pillows is ideal, as it will ensure you don’t accidentally roll over onto your new nose while asleep.
  • Sleep alone to ensure a stray limb from your partner, child or pet can’t accidentally cause a nose hit after rhinoplasty.
  • Continue to wear your nose splint for as long as your doctor recommends (usually around one week).
  • Avoid any type of physical activity which could lead to an accidental bump.
  • Give your body everything it needs to support a smooth recovery by following a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water and getting lots of rest.

What to Do if You Accidentally Bump Your Nose

If you’ve accidentally bumped your nose after recently undergoing a rhinoplasty procedure, you should immediately apply a cold compress to help to reduce any swelling.

If you think your nose may be broken or fractured or are at all concerned that the hit might have caused significant damage, you should contact your surgeon who will be able to check your nose for injury.

Need a Rhinoplasty Plastic Surgeon in Los Angeles?

If you’re looking for a rhinoplasty plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, Dr. Jacob Sedgh is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with extensive experience performing the complete spectrum of rhinoplasty procedures including cosmetic rhinoplasty and rhinoplasty revision.

Conveniently located in West Hollywood, contact Sedgh Plastic Surgery to arrange a personal rhinoplasty consultation with Dr. Sedgh.

Posted on behalf of Sedgh Plastic Surgery

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When under our care, Dr. Sedgh always ensures you feel comfortable, cared for, well-informed about every aspect of your upcoming treatment, whether surgical or non-surgical. With an approach which focuses on achieving refreshed, natural-looking results, Dr. Sedgh prides himself on always acting with transparency, honesty, and the highest level of ethical treatment, from start to finish.