Patients who have had rhinoplasty must avoid leaning forward, pushing, pulling, or lifting more than 5 pounds for several weeks after surgery.
I typically let my patients go back to non-bouncing light aerobic exercise two weeks after surgery letting them know that their nose may swell a bit.
Intensive weight training will need to be avoided for around 6 weeks because of risk of injuring the nose.
In the end, anything that raises your blood pressure is off limits because of the negative effect on your nose. (Manish H. Shah, MD, FACS, Denver Plastic Surgeon)
Minimize heavy activity for a couple weeks after rhinoplasty surgery
As others have already stated, avoid all strenuous activity, especially heavy weight lifting or intensive training.
Any activity which elevates your blood pressure or causes Valsalva effect may exacerbate and cause bruising, at worst even frank bleeding.
Strenuous activities to avoid include, but are not limited to running, exercise, weight lifting, pilates, aerobics, cycling, climbing, and sex.
Yoga should be avoided too. Patients should even avoid straining on the toilet! Your plastic surgeon will inform you when you can resume normal activity.
Most patients may resume regular activities within a couple weeks. (Houtan Chaboki, MD, Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Exercise is fine once cleared by your Surgeon
Typically, I let my rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty patients resume exercise starting gradually in the 2nd week after surgery. I tell them to ease back into their regimens, but to delay any heavy bending, straining, or lifting for the 3rd week.
Elliptical machines are particularly great for post-rhinoplasty exercise since there is very little jarring or impact and no bending. Once patients get 21 days out from surgery and I’ve cleared them, they may resume normal activities as they are able. (Randolph Capone, MD, Baltimore Facial Plastic Surgeon)
No lifting, bending, stooping, straining !
My number one postop recommendation after rhinoplasty is “No lifting, bending, stooping, straining” You do not want to do anything that will raise the blood pressure in your nose and face.
This could lead to bleeding. The most common cause of postop bleeding in nose jobs is weightlifting! After about 10 days, 99.9% patients are safe to resume lifting. My second strong recommendation concerning your activities is ” Don’t get bumped in the nose for 6 weeks!” After 6 weeks the bones will be healed to their normal strength. (Richard L. Dolsky, MD, Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon)
Exercise is possible three to four weeks after rhinoplasty
The nasal bones and tissues after rhinoplasty are reasonably well set and healed after three to four weeks to tolerate full exercise. The first week after the nose is tender and the splint which helps control the shape and swelling are removed.
You will look pretty well after the first week but the nose is not ready for the strain of exercise. The incisions inside must heal for two weeks before you are able to blow your nose and our patients work with saline spray to improve comfort. You are able to participate in low impact activities such as walking or a stationary bike though the stuffiness may prove to be a bother.
At three to four weeks, the swelling may have improved enough and the nose now is firm and set and will tolerate exercise well including running and swimming. Even if your nose is ready, make sure that you are and start slowly and build. Remember you have been down on your intensity and it takes time to come back. (Peter E. Johnson, MD, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)
No strenuous activity for 3 weeks following Rhinoplasty.
After your Rhinoplasty surgery, the most common complication you might experience is a nose-bleed. The likelihood of this can be reduced by refraining from strenuous activity like weight-lifting or jogging for 3 weeks. My patients have unrestricted activity 3 weeks following Rhinoplasty. I don’t think a high protein diet would be problematic. (Eric M. Joseph, MD, West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Rhinoplasty and exercise
Aerobic type exercises may be OK after about 3-4 weeks, but any exercise or physical activities in which you risk traumatizing your nose should be avoided for at least 6 weeks. (Theodore Katz, MD, FACS, Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon)
Rhinoplasty; When Can I Exercise After Rhinoplasty?
We tell our patients to wait about 3 weeks before resuming full physical activity after rhinoplasty. Enjoy the time off and let your body restore itself. Both your nose and the rest of your body will thank you. (Michael A. Persky, MD, Encino Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Exercise restriction after rhinoplasty
You should discuss this with your surgeon. It may depend on the agressiveness of your rhinoplasty. This can be relatively minimal if a minor tip rhinoplasty without hump removal or significantly more restricted if requring a rib graft.
In many instances strenuous physical activity may be limited for 6-8 weeks. (Otto Joseph Placik, MD, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)