when can i exercise after rhinoplasty?

Although light exercises can be performed 3-4 weeks following the procedure, you must wait 4-6 weeks before you resume strenuous physical activities. Read ahead to know what exercises to introduce at whoch stage.

Risks of exercising too soon:

• The nose may seem irrelevant to the rest of your body, but any activity you do has a systemic influence on your entire body, thus extending to your face. Simply said, your whole body needs to recover after any form of plastic surgery.
• Moderate or vigorous physical activities increase your heart rate and blood pressure and make you prone to nose bleeds, bruising, swelling, and other complications, which can prolong the healing process.
• Stop exercise if you feel light-headed, experience pain or throbbing sensation, or notice increased swelling.
• To avoid the trouble of getting a revision rhinoplasty, it’s best to moderately introduce physical activities throughout the course of the first six weeks post-surgery.

1 Week After Cosmetic Nose Surgery

• Get adequate rest during the first 7 days post rhinoplasty.
• You can have light walks around your house for maximum 20 minutes at a stretch.
• They improve blood circulation, which reduces the risk of clotting and quickens healing.
• Stop if you begin to feel exhausted or breathless. They indicate that your heart rate is increasing, which exposes you to the risk of bleeding.
• Keep yourself hydrated.

2-4 Weeks After Cosmetic Nose Surgery 

• If you have stitches and/or nasal splints, they shall be removed.
• It’s ok to gradually increase the span of your walks or add zero-impact, no-contact, and moderately paced exercises.
• Heavy lifting or jogging increases your blood pressure, which can cause nosebleeds. Valsalva maneuver, or holding your breath, can strain your face and nose area, it should be avoided for a minimum of 4 weeks.
• Strenuous exercises increase your blood flow, which can lead to swelling. So refrain from such activities for a minimum of 4 weeks as your body heals.
• Avoid road cycling as you might risk falling and injuring your nose. While yoga is a non-impactful exercise, you should avoid any pose that requires you to bow to the ground.
• Zero-impact, no-contact, moderate activities only.
• Strength training at 50% effort, but no running or swimming

4-6 Weeks After Cosmetic Nose Surgery

• One month post rhinoplasty, it’s safe to slowly increase the span or vigor of your workouts. You can go to gym, but avoid falling or getting bumped.
• You can perform inversions in yoga and increase your strength training efforts to 80%.
• If your incisions are completely healed, you may also go for light jogging or swimming.

2- 3 MONTHS

• Contact sports like football, soccer, etc., should be avoided for a minimum of two to three months post-operation as they pose a considerable risk to your results.
• Wear protective gear, such as a facemask, to prevent nasal injuries. They may negatively impact the results. However, take your surgeon's permission to ensure that the facemask itself will not strain your face/nose to the extent that it spoils your results.

Disclaimer: Every time your nose is injured, it becomes more fragile and results in additional scar tissue, which makes it more challenging to fix; thus, take precautions seriously to protect your nose even once it has healed.

For further advice/consultations, reach out to prominent surgeons in India or Turkey. We are available for your assistance as well!

Patients are usually advised to wait approximately 4-6 weeks before they can engage in vigorous exercise after rhinoplasty. Since individual results vary, it is important to follow the exact guidance of your rhinoplasty surgeon.