For many people, the idea of a rhinoplasty procedure brings one big question: what happens afterward?
You might picture bandages, swelling, or that curious little cast on the bridge of the nose. But inside the nasal passages, a few small details make a huge difference in how smoothly the healing process unfolds. One of those details is the use of rhinoplasty stents, also called nasal splints.
At Eos Rejuvenation, Dr. Nima Shemirani often reminds patients that these tiny supports are not a burden. They’re an essential part of how your body heals. They protect the structure, support breathing, and keep swelling under control. Think of them as the scaffolding that holds a delicate sculpture in place until it’s ready to stand on its own.
After rhinoplasty surgery, surgeons place small devices inside or outside the nose to maintain shape and alignment.
Dr. Nima explains that both types of splints are used for specific reasons: “They support the new nasal structure while the tissues heal, minimize swelling, and lower the risk of postoperative complications. The goal is always a smooth healing progress and a stable, natural shape.”
Both types of splints share the same mission: to protect the results. But they do it in different ways.
Placed gently inside the nose after surgery, internal splints act as a protective barrier between delicate tissues. They keep the nasal septum straight, maintain the airway, and help prevent scar tissue from forming in the wrong places.
Dr. Nima often uses silicone nasal tampons or flexible tubes that allow airflow while the nasal tissues heal. The silicone keeps things comfortable and prevents sticking, while the open design ensures you can breathe through your nose during recovery.
Some older methods used sponge nasal tampons or dense nasal packing, which completely filled the cavity. These could trap dried blood and block airflow, making removal unpleasant. Today, techniques are far gentler.
These lightweight supports sit across the bridge of the nose and stay in place for about a week. Their job is to keep the nasal bones steady while early swelling subsides. They also serve as a gentle reminder to avoid accidental bumps or pressure on the nose.
Most patients wear external splints for about a week, sometimes slightly longer if swelling persists. Once removed, the skin may appear pink or tender for a day or two but quickly settles as healing progresses.
During rhinoplasty surgery, even the smallest refinements like shaping cartilage, adjusting bone, and opening airways affect how the nasal structure behaves afterward. Dr. Nima explains, “We want every adjustment to settle in the correct position. Stents and splints provide the support that makes that possible.”
He compares them to a seat belt: you may not notice them most of the time, but you’ll be grateful they’re there if something shifts. The added stability helps minimize swelling, control excess blood, and reduce internal movement that could affect the surgical outcome.
Dr. Nima’s focus is always twofold: an elegant cosmetic appearance and a strong functional outcome. Splints and stents protect both.
Inside the nose, new tissue forms around a fine network of cartilage and bone. During this initial healing phase, those structures are soft and impressionable. Without support, the nasal septum or surrounding walls could bend or drift slightly off alignment.
Internal supports prevent that. By keeping gentle pressure on both sides of the septum, they maintain symmetry and keep airways open. Patients who come in for revision surgery often learn that small misalignments from earlier procedures can be avoided with the precise use of internal nasal splints.
Dr. Nima uses flexible tubes rather than firm packs. They allow the nasal passages to stay open and make post-surgery breathing more comfortable. This choice also improves patient comfort, a detail that matters greatly when you’re in the recovery process.
One of the most common questions patients ask during rhinoplasty recovery: Is nasal tampon removal painful?
Dr. Nima answers honestly: “You’ll feel some slight discomfort, maybe a little gentle pressure, but not pain.”
Because he uses smooth silicone nasal tampons and internal splints that don’t adhere to the skin, the removal process is quick and controlled. Most patients describe it as a “weird” or “tickly” feeling rather than anything sharp. There might be a sense of cool air rushing through the nose again, a welcome sign that the nasal passages are open and clear.
He adds that older techniques using dense sponges or nasal packing were much less comfortable. “Those materials could dry out and cling to tissue. Removing them caused unnecessary irritation. Modern silicone is flexible and gentle, so patients recover faster and breathe easier.”
Nasal splint removal typically happens at the one-week follow-up appointment. Dr. Nima inspects the nose, checks the alignment of the new nasal structure, and then removes the supports with slow, steady care.
Here’s what most patients experience:
You might feel mild discomfort, more like a deep breath after being slightly congested. Any blood vessels that open briefly are managed right away, and minor drainage is normal. The goal is to allow the nose to breathe again while protecting the healing progress that’s underway.
Splints do more than hold structure. They also help control bleeding and reduce swelling during the first days after surgery. By applying gentle pressure, they stabilize small blood vessels and help move excess blood away from the area. This creates a cleaner environment for the nasal tissues to heal and prevents crusting or blockages.
Some patients with a deviated septum benefit especially from internal supports. The splints help keep both sides of the septum aligned and reinforce the correct position of internal walls. This attention to balance is what leads to both beauty and function, the hallmark of facial plastic work done with precision.
It’s normal to be cautious during this stage. Dr. Nima advises his patients to rest with the head elevated, avoid bending forward, and limit strenuous physical activities that could raise blood pressure. Gentle walks are fine. Weightlifting or running can wait.
You’ll also be asked to keep the nasal area clean using a saline spray or rinse. This prevents dried blood and helps maintain comfort. Sleeping on your back protects against accidental pressure, and sunglasses should stay off the bridge until the nasal bones are solid again.
For most patients, splints stay in place for about a week. Once removed, you’ll feel lighter and breathe more freely, but the deeper healing continues for several months.
Patients sometimes hear terms like nose tampon, nasal tampons, or nasal packing and worry that they’ll experience the old-school methods used decades ago. Dr. Nima clarifies that modern silicone nasal tampons are completely different.
He uses flexible, breathable materials that serve three main purposes:
The moment older-style nasal packing is mentioned online, people imagine difficulty and pain during nasal packing removal. Dr. Nima reassures patients that his approach focuses on patient comfort, no dense sponges, no suction trauma, no pain.
When it’s time to remove nasal tampons, patients often comment on how brief it feels. A few seconds later, they’re breathing easier and realizing the worry was worse than the experience.
The first week after surgery shapes everything. During that window, the body forms the foundation of the desired outcome: a nose that looks balanced, functions well, and feels natural. Splints keep this foundation secure.
If a patient accidentally bumps their nose, those external supports absorb most of the impact. Internally, stents prevent small shifts in cartilage that could affect alignment. Together, they safeguard both appearance and airflow.
Dr. Nima notes that in rare cases, patients who remove splints too early or disrupt them can see subtle changes in contour later on. That’s why his post-op care includes detailed guidance and check-ins to confirm proper healing.
When the last splint is gone, your nose still needs gentle care. The initial healing phase is complete, but swelling remains under the surface. You might see small changes week by week as the nasal tissues continue to settle.
Dr. Nima reminds patients that the body needs time to adapt. “Each structure is learning its new balance,” he says. “The goal is steady, natural recovery—not rushing the process.”
Keeping the head elevated, avoiding strenuous physical activities, and staying hydrated all help with optimal healing. The next few weeks are about patience, letting the body do its quiet work.
Patients sometimes read online forums that make rhinoplasty recovery sound frightening. They’ll see words like packing or tampon removal and imagine the worst. Education changes that. Once you understand that these materials are soft, flexible, and temporary, the fear fades.
Dr. Nima says the most common feedback after splint removal is relief: “They always say, ‘That wasn’t bad at all.’”
Knowledge also helps reduce the stress that can affect healing. When you understand what’s inside your nose and why it’s there, every step makes sense, and anxiety has less room to grow.
Rhinoplasty is often called one of the most delicate procedures in plastic surgery. Every adjustment affects both form and function. Using the right internal nasal splints and external splints is part of that artistry.
The primary function of these supports is to protect what’s been created: to hold cartilage and bone while the body knits new connections. But their quiet secondary role is emotional: they let patients relax and trust the process.
Dr. Nima says, “When patients know why we use these tools, they stop thinking of them as an inconvenience. They see them as part of achieving the best possible surgical outcome.”
Every rhinoplasty procedure is a collaboration between surgeon and patient. The body’s natural ability to heal meets the precision of modern facial plastic surgery. Stents and splints bridge that partnership, ensuring that all the fine details crafted during surgery stay protected while the tissues heal.
When you look at post-surgery photos and see that small cast or mention of internal supports, remember they’re temporary. They’re simply holding the blueprint in place until the structure underneath is ready to stand on its own.
At Eos Rejuvenation, Dr. Nima Shemirani uses these details with intention. Every step from the rhinoplasty surgery itself to the careful removal process is designed for patient comfort, precision, and long-term stability.
Healing well starts with understanding, and understanding begins here: a clear, calm explanation of why small things, like a pair of silicone splints, make such a lasting difference in how your nose looks, feels, and functions.
