Can You Exercise After A Rhinoplasty?
Getting back to a regular workout right after plastic surgery can be challenging. The same, of course, goes for rhinoplasty or nose-job patients. Many rhinoplasty clients ask the question, “How soon can I start exercising after the surgery? And the answer to that is, right after the nose heals.
After rhinoplasty surgery, you can go back to your regular schedule. The same, unfortunately, does not apply to your workout timetable. Returning to a vigorous exercise routine too soon after the cosmetic procedure is dangerous as the nose needs time to heal. The body takes time to recover through rest, nutrition, and fluid intake.
While following your surgeon’s aftercare procedure can quicken the healing process, working out during that time will reverse your recovery. Today’s article will tackle the question of when to exercise after a rhinoplasty, why doing so can help you, and the type of exercises you can take on post-surgery. Let us begin!
How Long Should You Wait?
Nose jobs ideally take about six weeks to heal, and the nose re-structures itself through muscle and tissue repairs. While rhinoplasty has nothing to do with the entire body, the rest period ensures that your body’s energy goes towards healing your nose.
After rhinoplasty surgery, the blood vessels on your nose will be susceptible. So if you exercise too soon after your surgery, it might raise your blood pressure and heart rate, resulting in nose bleeding. Your nose might also bruise from this side-effect, resulting in altered final results. Your nose might even swell up if you are not careful about your workout.
Since the tissues remain soft and fragile post-surgery, sweating, touching, or careless face bumps might affect your healing process. All in all, resting and cautious steps are a must for impeccable rhinoplasty results.
The Best Exercise Schedule After Rhinoplasty Surgery
If you want to keep an active workout schedule without risking your rhinoplasty results post-surgery, the best advice is to start slowly. So here is a planned-out exercise routine that you can follow for the first six weeks after your rhinoplasty surgery:
Week 1 after Rhinoplasty
The first week after rhinoplasty is best invested in medication and rest. If you still want to exercise or take on some light activities, strolling inside the house can help you out.
Engage in some light walking inside the house. Doing so can help with your blood circulation and reduce blood clotting risks. For the first two days, engage in five minutes of walking to build up a pace. After that, you can raise it by three-to-five more minutes each day if your body allows it.
Do not walk for too long or without breaks. Doing so can increase your heart rate and cause bleeding. If you feel breathless or tired, stop walking and return to resting to help your body heal.
Week 2 – Week 4 after Rhinoplasty
Within the next two weeks, your surgeon will remove your nose stitches and ask you to take that day off from any activities. Ideally, you can start walking again after 24 hours, but medical experts advise you to resume only if you feel safe after the splint and stitch removal.
You can continue to walk and increase your duration and pacing as you go. Of course, stay easy on your energy as you are still in the process of healing. If you feel confident in yourself, low-to-moderately-paced workouts are also alright.
If you have a strength-training schedule pre-surgery, you can resume with a few restrictions. For example, avoid contact-based and impact-based exercises for your nose’s safety. Try to lift lighter weights during this time.
You can also do light yoga sessions without inversion poses or any facial-contact-based exercises. Try to keep your daily activities as moderate as possible and take longer breaks between workouts to stabilize your heart rate.
Week 4 – Week 6 after Rhinoplasty
During these two weeks, your goal is to assess how your body and nose adapt to your movement. If you notice any improvements, then you are successfully recovering.
Take these weeks to gradually increase your exercise duration and intensity, depending on how you feel afterward. For example, if increasing your power is tiring you out too fast, you should stick to your previous schedule till the nose is healed. Doing so can ensure more energy for your nose.
Now is an excellent time to return to your gym if you feel better after adding more workouts and have been working out at home. You can also work on improving your strength training exercises. Of course, always stay careful that no one touches your nose or bumps into it.
You can also try to practice moderate yoga poses that were impossible in the last few weeks. Yoga is a safe option post-surgery as you can do it at home and counts on slow, mindful movements.
Week 6 after Rhinoplasty
By the 6th week, your nose would ideally heal and return to its structural integrity. You can now increase your workout intensity without worrying about any risks. It is best to avoid contact sports till your surgeon says otherwise.
Of course, individual results can vary depending on your aftercare and overall health. Ideally, a patient will recover by now and stay cautious while playing contact sports or similar activities. But, depending on health factors, immunity and healing, a patient might still be susceptible to injuries and side effects.
The surgeon will assess these risks and advice the patient on their next steps. It is best not to hasten your recovery, as it might look botched or unfinished. Instead, consult your surgeon on how to treat your surgical area and enjoy your Rhinoplasty surgery results.
Get the Best Rhinoplasty from Neil A. Gordon M.D.
All in all, yes, you can exercise after rhinoplasty surgery. The key is to heal slowly and allow your body’s energy to prioritize your nose’s recovery. Of course, you must also choose an acknowledged surgeon for the best results.
Neil A. Gordon M.D. from The Retreat at Split Rock can be your answer if you want the best for your nose’s structural integrity. His honorary credentials as a prestigious facial rejuvenation surgeon make him popular among New York and Connecticut clients. Contact us at (203) 834-7700 to book your consultation today!