ASK DOCTOR YAGODA

Question: How long does the surgery for a rhinoplasty or nose job take? I’m a 45-year-old male living in Long Island and I’d rather not take off of work if I do not need to.

Answer: Depending on the complexity of the rhinoplasty procedure or nose job, and whether there is a functional component to the plastic surgery, the operating time itself can range from just under an hour to close to three hours.  All patients go home the very same day. I usually recommend that patients take a week off from work to recover.  Some patients return to work after five days but this is more the exception, rather than the rule.  It takes about five days for the anesthesia to leave your system after the cosmetic surgery procedure.  During that time, you may be more tired than usual. Your body clock and sleep cycle may be off. Your appetite may be decreased, just when you need the increased calories for rapid recovery. To play it safe, I recommend at least one week off from work.