Recovery travel guide
Rhinoplasty recovery, day by day
You wear a splint for 1 to 2 weeks and swelling lasts 4 to 6 weeks. The rules are about protecting the nose from knocks, pressure, sun and heat, keeping your head up and not lifting anything heavy.
When the limits lift
Within the 10 days this guide covers, according to the cited guidance:
- Knocks, crowds and pressure: still off-limits on day 10. Ask your surgeon when it is safe.
- Head position and lifting: still off-limits on day 10. Ask your surgeon when it is safe.
- Sun: still off-limits on day 10. Ask your surgeon when it is safe.
- Exercise: with care from day 4.
- Swimming, hammam and sauna: still off-limits on day 10. Ask your surgeon when it is safe.
- Blowing your nose: still off-limits on day 10. Ask your surgeon when it is safe.
- Flying home: with care from day 7.
Confirm with your surgeon. These are general activity limits from published aftercare guidance. Your clinic's written instructions always come first, and they may be stricter or looser for your procedure.
At a glance
- How long to stay
- 7 to 10 days, so the splint can be removed by your surgeon before you fly
- What the rules are about
- You wear a splint for 1 to 2 weeks and swelling lasts 4 to 6 weeks. The rules are about protecting the nose from knocks, pressure, sun and heat, keeping your head up and not lifting anything heavy.
Recovery timeline
- Days 1 to 3
Splint and possibly packing. Swelling and bruising around the nose and eyes. Head elevated, cool compresses on the cheeks, no nose blowing.
- Days 4 to 6
Pain usually eases within a few days to a week. Short, calm outings in the shade, away from crowds.
- Days 7 to 10
The splint usually comes off around the end of the first week. You can see the new shape, still swollen. No glasses resting on the bridge.
- Weeks 2 to 6
Light exercise from about 4 to 6 weeks and no heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks. Swelling keeps going down for months.
Activity rules, day by day
Sun, water, exertion, heat, alcohol and flying, for each day of a typical stay. Every rule is sourced on the day pages.
| Rule | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knocks, crowds and pressure | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today |
| Head position and lifting | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today |
| Sun | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today |
| Exercise | Not today | Not today | Not today | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care |
| Swimming, hammam and sauna | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today |
| Blowing your nose | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today |
| Flying home | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | With care | With care | With care | With care |
✕ Not today ! With care ✓ OK
Day by day
Day 1
Most of today is rest with your head raised. Breathing through your mouth is normal with packing or internal splints. Do not blow your nose. If you want to get out, keep it to one short, seated outing by taxi.
All rules for day 1, with sources
Knocks, crowds and pressure
Protect the nose from any knock. Avoid crowds, packed trams and boisterous places. Glasses and sunglasses must not press on the bridge.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Head position and lifting
Keep your head elevated, especially when sleeping. No heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks and no bending over.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Sun
Minimise sun exposure: shade, indoor sights and a wide hat. Sun on a swollen nose can prolong swelling and mark the skin.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Swimming, hammam and sauna
No swimming, steam or sauna while the splint is on and swelling is high. Ask your surgeon when to restart.
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons · Cleveland Clinic
Blowing your nose
Do not blow your nose. Sneeze through your mouth if you can.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Flying home
Plan to stay until your surgeon has removed the splint and checked the nose, usually 7 to 10 days.
Source: Cleveland Clinic · NHS
Day 2
Bruising around the eyes often shows now. Cool compresses on the cheeks, not on the nose, help. A short walk inside the hotel or around the block is plenty.
The rules are the same as yesterday.
All rules for day 2, with sources
Knocks, crowds and pressure
Protect the nose from any knock. Avoid crowds, packed trams and boisterous places. Glasses and sunglasses must not press on the bridge.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Head position and lifting
Keep your head elevated, especially when sleeping. No heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks and no bending over.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Sun
Minimise sun exposure: shade, indoor sights and a wide hat. Sun on a swollen nose can prolong swelling and mark the skin.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Swimming, hammam and sauna
No swimming, steam or sauna while the splint is on and swelling is high. Ask your surgeon when to restart.
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons · Cleveland Clinic
Blowing your nose
Do not blow your nose. Sneeze through your mouth if you can.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Flying home
Plan to stay until your surgeon has removed the splint and checked the nose, usually 7 to 10 days.
Source: Cleveland Clinic · NHS
Day 3
Swelling is usually at its worst. Plan a quiet indoor sight by taxi if you feel up to it, but resting is fine too.
The rules are the same as yesterday.
All rules for day 3, with sources
Knocks, crowds and pressure
Protect the nose from any knock. Avoid crowds, packed trams and boisterous places. Glasses and sunglasses must not press on the bridge.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Head position and lifting
Keep your head elevated, especially when sleeping. No heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks and no bending over.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Sun
Minimise sun exposure: shade, indoor sights and a wide hat. Sun on a swollen nose can prolong swelling and mark the skin.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Swimming, hammam and sauna
No swimming, steam or sauna while the splint is on and swelling is high. Ask your surgeon when to restart.
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons · Cleveland Clinic
Blowing your nose
Do not blow your nose. Sneeze through your mouth if you can.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Flying home
Plan to stay until your surgeon has removed the splint and checked the nose, usually 7 to 10 days.
Source: Cleveland Clinic · NHS
Day 4
Pain usually eases within a few days to a week. A short, slow outing to a quiet, cool place is a good test.
What changes today:
- Exercise: now with care
All rules for day 4, with sources
Knocks, crowds and pressure
Protect the nose from any knock. Avoid crowds, packed trams and boisterous places. Glasses and sunglasses must not press on the bridge.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Head position and lifting
Keep your head elevated, especially when sleeping. No heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks and no bending over.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Sun
Minimise sun exposure: shade, indoor sights and a wide hat. Sun on a swollen nose can prolong swelling and mark the skin.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Exercise
Gentle walking only. Light exercise starts at 4 to 6 weeks.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Swimming, hammam and sauna
No swimming, steam or sauna while the splint is on and swelling is high. Ask your surgeon when to restart.
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons · Cleveland Clinic
Blowing your nose
Do not blow your nose. Sneeze through your mouth if you can.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Flying home
Plan to stay until your surgeon has removed the splint and checked the nose, usually 7 to 10 days.
Source: Cleveland Clinic · NHS
Day 5
You can manage a half-day out if you keep out of the sun and crowds and sit down often.
The rules are the same as yesterday.
All rules for day 5, with sources
Knocks, crowds and pressure
Protect the nose from any knock. Avoid crowds, packed trams and boisterous places. Glasses and sunglasses must not press on the bridge.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Head position and lifting
Keep your head elevated, especially when sleeping. No heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks and no bending over.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Sun
Minimise sun exposure: shade, indoor sights and a wide hat. Sun on a swollen nose can prolong swelling and mark the skin.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Exercise
Gentle walking only. Light exercise starts at 4 to 6 weeks.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Swimming, hammam and sauna
No swimming, steam or sauna while the splint is on and swelling is high. Ask your surgeon when to restart.
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons · Cleveland Clinic
Blowing your nose
Do not blow your nose. Sneeze through your mouth if you can.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Flying home
Plan to stay until your surgeon has removed the splint and checked the nose, usually 7 to 10 days.
Source: Cleveland Clinic · NHS
Day 6
Keep your head above your heart: no bending over to tie shoes or pick up bags. Let your companion carry things.
The rules are the same as yesterday.
All rules for day 6, with sources
Knocks, crowds and pressure
Protect the nose from any knock. Avoid crowds, packed trams and boisterous places. Glasses and sunglasses must not press on the bridge.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Head position and lifting
Keep your head elevated, especially when sleeping. No heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks and no bending over.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Sun
Minimise sun exposure: shade, indoor sights and a wide hat. Sun on a swollen nose can prolong swelling and mark the skin.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Exercise
Gentle walking only. Light exercise starts at 4 to 6 weeks.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Swimming, hammam and sauna
No swimming, steam or sauna while the splint is on and swelling is high. Ask your surgeon when to restart.
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons · Cleveland Clinic
Blowing your nose
Do not blow your nose. Sneeze through your mouth if you can.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Flying home
Plan to stay until your surgeon has removed the splint and checked the nose, usually 7 to 10 days.
Source: Cleveland Clinic · NHS
Day 7
The splint often comes off around now. The nose will look swollen and that is expected. Still no pressure on the bridge.
What changes today:
- Flying home: now with care
All rules for day 7, with sources
Knocks, crowds and pressure
Protect the nose from any knock. Avoid crowds, packed trams and boisterous places. Glasses and sunglasses must not press on the bridge.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Head position and lifting
Keep your head elevated, especially when sleeping. No heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks and no bending over.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Sun
Minimise sun exposure: shade, indoor sights and a wide hat. Sun on a swollen nose can prolong swelling and mark the skin.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Exercise
Gentle walking only. Light exercise starts at 4 to 6 weeks.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Swimming, hammam and sauna
No swimming, steam or sauna while the splint is on and swelling is high. Ask your surgeon when to restart.
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons · Cleveland Clinic
Blowing your nose
Do not blow your nose. Sneeze through your mouth if you can.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Flying home
Most packages fly patients home after the splint is removed. Confirm with your surgeon, walk on long flights and drink water.
Source: Cleveland Clinic · NHS
Day 8
With the splint off, most people feel ready for longer, gentle days out. Protect the nose from sun with a hat and shade.
The rules are the same as yesterday.
All rules for day 8, with sources
Knocks, crowds and pressure
Protect the nose from any knock. Avoid crowds, packed trams and boisterous places. Glasses and sunglasses must not press on the bridge.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Head position and lifting
Keep your head elevated, especially when sleeping. No heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks and no bending over.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Sun
Minimise sun exposure: shade, indoor sights and a wide hat. Sun on a swollen nose can prolong swelling and mark the skin.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Exercise
Gentle walking only. Light exercise starts at 4 to 6 weeks.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Swimming, hammam and sauna
No swimming, steam or sauna while the splint is on and swelling is high. Ask your surgeon when to restart.
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons · Cleveland Clinic
Blowing your nose
Do not blow your nose. Sneeze through your mouth if you can.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Flying home
Most packages fly patients home after the splint is removed. Confirm with your surgeon, walk on long flights and drink water.
Source: Cleveland Clinic · NHS
Day 9
Ask your surgeon about flying, glasses and when you can wash your face normally.
The rules are the same as yesterday.
All rules for day 9, with sources
Knocks, crowds and pressure
Protect the nose from any knock. Avoid crowds, packed trams and boisterous places. Glasses and sunglasses must not press on the bridge.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Head position and lifting
Keep your head elevated, especially when sleeping. No heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks and no bending over.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Sun
Minimise sun exposure: shade, indoor sights and a wide hat. Sun on a swollen nose can prolong swelling and mark the skin.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Exercise
Gentle walking only. Light exercise starts at 4 to 6 weeks.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Swimming, hammam and sauna
No swimming, steam or sauna while the splint is on and swelling is high. Ask your surgeon when to restart.
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons · Cleveland Clinic
Blowing your nose
Do not blow your nose. Sneeze through your mouth if you can.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Flying home
Most packages fly patients home after the splint is removed. Confirm with your surgeon, walk on long flights and drink water.
Source: Cleveland Clinic · NHS
Day 10
Most patients are cleared to fly around now. Swelling will keep going down for weeks; full refinement takes up to a year.
The rules are the same as yesterday.
All rules for day 10, with sources
Knocks, crowds and pressure
Protect the nose from any knock. Avoid crowds, packed trams and boisterous places. Glasses and sunglasses must not press on the bridge.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Head position and lifting
Keep your head elevated, especially when sleeping. No heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks and no bending over.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Sun
Minimise sun exposure: shade, indoor sights and a wide hat. Sun on a swollen nose can prolong swelling and mark the skin.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Exercise
Gentle walking only. Light exercise starts at 4 to 6 weeks.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Swimming, hammam and sauna
No swimming, steam or sauna while the splint is on and swelling is high. Ask your surgeon when to restart.
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons · Cleveland Clinic
Blowing your nose
Do not blow your nose. Sneeze through your mouth if you can.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Flying home
Most packages fly patients home after the splint is removed. Confirm with your surgeon, walk on long flights and drink water.
Source: Cleveland Clinic · NHS
Recovering abroad? Pick your city
The city guides add what to see, what to skip and where to eat on each of these days.
Rhinoplasty
Istanbul
10 days, day by day. You wear a splint for 1 to 2 weeks and swelling lasts 4 to 6 weeks.
Open the guide
Questions
Can I fly home with the splint on?
Some patients do, but most packages are built so the surgeon removes the splint first. Ask your surgeon, and plan a flexible ticket.
When can I go back to work after rhinoplasty?
Usually in one to two weeks. Swelling lasts four to six weeks and keeps going down for months.
Questions people ask
Sources
- Rhinoplasty: recovery and outlook. Cleveland Clinic. Checked 2 November 2026.
- Rhinoplasty recovery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Checked 2 November 2026.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): long journeys. NHS (UK). Checked 2 November 2026.