01Featured perspective
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Dr. Sarah Chen
Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, MD, FACS
Most patients describe rhinoplasty recovery as uncomfortable rather than painful. During the procedure, you'll be under general anesthesia and won't feel anything. After surgery, the most common sensations are pressure and congestion—similar to having a bad cold. Pain is typically well-controlled with prescription medication for the first 2-3 days, then many patients switch to over-the-counter pain relievers. The splint removal around day 7 is usually painless. The most discomfort comes from not being able to breathe through your nose initially, but this improves daily.