Tip swelling is normal right after rhinoplasty

The nose begins to swell right after rhinoplasty and reaches a peak after about three to four days. Swelling occurs over the bridge of the nose as well, however the tip is the "mobile" part of the nose and can swell upward or appear to turn. The taping and splinting your doctor applied will guide and control the swelling and as the swelling goes down the splint begins to loosen and the tip drop, usually at about one week.

Your nose should look pretty good at a week and continue to improve throughout the year. Many are a bit anxious and uncertain until the splint comes off. Elevation, ice, and a little time are all that are needed at this point.

7 of 9 found this helpful

Helpful?

Contact the doctor

I can reassure you and tell you from personal experience that this will go down.

Patient's often relate that initial concern that when they look in the mirror, all they see is their nostrils and they feel that they have a snout but this is quite normal and is a reaction to seeing your nasal changes for the first tme.

Of course, it is difficult to say without a picture and without knowing the details of your specific procedure but generally you will see a vast improvement within 3 weeks after surgery.

You will then see long term subtle changes over a longer 12 month period.

I encourage you to stick witih your surgeon's recommendations and avoid straining or vigorous activity which can cause greater swelling during this period. Also as previously stated sleeping with your head elevated.

I hope this helps!

10 of 10 found this helpful

Helpful?

Contact the doctor

Hi Vladimer,

Dont worry too much. This is rather common. By two weeks, it should come down quite a bit. Ask your surgeon if he or she thinks taping it down would be helpful.

Good luck.

2 of 2 found this helpful

Helpful?

Contact the doctor