Scar tissue or cartilage misplaced?

Talmage J. Raine, MD answers: Lumpy cartilage after open Rhinoplasty

I had an open Rhinoplasty three months ago, and I now have quite a bit of lumpy cartilage up my nose. Is this normal/part of the healing process? Is this scar tissue, and will it go away in time? I'm also not seeing any results yet and my nose still looks wide at the base.


Talmage J. Raine, MD
10 months ago

Without an exam it is difficult to discern whether the area will resolve or not. What does our surgeon say? Most surgeons will not recommend any revision for at least six months. However, at three months the overall shape should be somewhat pleasing and symmetrical.

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A: Lumpy cartilage after rhinoplasty: Do you see it or feel it?

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
10 months ago

Cartilage grafts are very common during rhinoplasty.

When you say lumpy cartilage, do you mean that you can see it or feel it.

  • If you can see it, that may be a concern that you want to discsuss with your surgeon.
  • If you can feel it, I would not worry at this point but give it time for the swelling to resolve which as stated can take up to a year.

Did the surgeon attempt to narrow your nostrils and did you request this.?

  • If they narrowed the nose at the base, then it can be wide due to swelling and healing tissue and give this at least 8-12 months to improve.
  • If they did not narrow the nose, it can be an optical illusion which makes it seem more noticeable after removing a big hump. The other possibility is that it is swelling which is normal at this point in time.
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