Quick answer: After rhinoplasty in Apgujeong or Sinsa, expect a nasal splint for about 5 to 7 days, stitches out around the same time, and most bruising gone by two weeks. You can usually fly home after 7 to 14 days. Swelling, especially at the tip, takes months: the nose looks fairly natural at three months but often needs a year to settle fully.
Why recovery planning matters for international patients
Korean rhinoplasty commonly involves building height and tip projection with cartilage and sometimes implants, rather than only reducing a nose. That makes the first two weeks the critical window for checks, and the following months a slow swelling phase you will spend at home. Planning your stay around the clinic's follow-up schedule is more important than the surgery date itself. Most rhinoplasty clinics in the area cluster around Sinsa Station and the Apgujeong Station side of Sinsa-dong; see our
Sinsa area guide.
What type of rhinoplasty are you having?
- Augmentation: raises a low bridge with a silicone or ePTFE implant, or with your own tissue.
- Tip plasty: reshapes and projects the tip using cartilage from the septum, ear or rib.
- Reduction or hump removal: removes bone and cartilage, often with osteotomies (bone cuts) to narrow the nose.
- Revision: corrects previous surgery; often needs rib cartilage and takes longer to heal.
Osteotomies and rib cartilage harvest generally mean more bruising and a longer recovery than tip-only work. Our
rhinoplasty guide explains the techniques.
Days 1-3: the toughest stretch
Most rhinoplasty is done under general anesthesia or deep sedation. You may have light packing or internal splints, an external splint and tape. Expect a blocked nose, mouth breathing, a dull headache and swelling around the eyes. Sleep with your head raised, use cold packs on the cheeks (not the nose) as directed, and avoid blowing your nose, bending over or hot showers. If rib cartilage was used, the chest wound will be sore with breathing and movement.
Week 1: splint and stitch removal
Around days 5 to 7 the clinic removes the external splint and stitches, including any small columella stitches under the tip. The nose will look swollen, upturned and wider than the final result; this is normal. Bruising turns yellow-green and fades. Many people feel able to walk around Gangnam with a mask and glasses by the end of the week, though glasses should not rest on the bridge.
Week 2: when can you fly home?
Most surgeons are comfortable with flying 7 to 14 days after surgery once the splint is off and there are no signs of bleeding or infection. Ask the clinic for:
- A written operation summary in English listing the materials used (implant type, cartilage source)
- Medication instructions and a supply to finish the course
- A contact channel for photo follow-ups from abroad
- Guidance on what a doctor at home should do if a problem appears
Pressure changes in the cabin can cause temporary discomfort and stuffiness. Saline spray, if your surgeon approves it, helps.
Weeks 3-6: back to normal life, mostly
Desk work and social life are usually fine. Most surgeons ask you to avoid strenuous exercise for about four weeks, contact sports and glasses resting on the nose for six weeks or longer, and pressure on the nose in general. Remaining swelling is mostly at the tip and in the morning.
Months 3-12: the slow settling phase
At three months most people look natural in photographs. Tip definition continues to refine for 6 to 12 months, longer with thick skin or revision surgery. Avoid judging the result, or seeking a revision, before the swelling has resolved; surgeons generally advise waiting around a year before revision.
Warning signs to act on
- Increasing pain, redness, warmth or discharge, which can signal infection
- Heavy or persistent bleeding
- Skin over an implant becoming thin, shiny, red or the implant moving
- Fever or feeling generally unwell
Contact your clinic straight away. In Korea, call 119 for emergencies; the Korea Travel Helpline 1330 can help with interpretation.
How long should you stay?
Ten to fourteen days is a sensible minimum for most primary rhinoplasty. For revision or rib cartilage cases, two to three weeks gives more margin. Budget for accommodation near the clinic and confirm whether your quote includes VAT, since the VAT refund for foreign cosmetic patients ended at the end of 2025. Our
first visit guide covers the practical side.
Frequently asked questions
How visible is the bruising?
It varies. Tip-only surgery may cause little bruising, while osteotomies often cause under-eye bruising that fades over 10 to 14 days.
Is rib cartilage recovery much harder?
The chest donor site adds pain for one to two weeks and a small scar. It is usually manageable but worth factoring into your stay.
Can I wear makeup to cover bruising?
Light makeup away from incisions is often allowed after stitch removal. Check with your surgeon first.
This article is general information and does not replace a consultation with a doctor. Last reviewed: October 2026.
