Solutions for drooping columella after rhinoplasty?

I had my first nose surgery April 2008 for a big bulbous tip. He broke the bone to narrow my nose and narrowed my nostrils. I had a second open rhinoplasty in August 2009 to make the tip smaller.

3 Weeks after surgery, a box fell on my nose and it swelled up even more. My nose is much wider, the tip is still big and now the columella hangs (which never did before). When I excercise or it's hot outside, my nose swells up, and it's uncomfortable. I've had 2 cortisone injections and don't know what else to do.

Solutions for drooping columella after rhinoplasty?

3 answers to “Solutions for drooping columella...”

A: Columella plasty can be done

By William Portuese, MD - Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Cortisone injections will not help a hanging or droop in columella. A hanging columella is a relatively easy procedure, whereby a small amount of skin and cartilage in the columella can be removed to stop the columellar show that is occurring on the nose. The rest of the swelling will take some time in the... more

A: See a revision rhinoplasty specialist.

By Toby G. Mayer, MD - Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

We say it takes 6-12 months for the last small bit of swelling to go away. It has been 8 months and the nose will probably change very little. The hanging columella will not go away and you will need to have it repaired. You should see a revision rhinoplasty specialist who deals with these problems. I... more

A: Talk to your surgeon or a revision rhinoplasty specialist

By Jason Litner, MD - Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

It's not abnormal to have some fluctuating swelling after a revision even many months after surgery. The injury you describe may have created some further or prolonged healing issues for you. But, at 9 months that should be at least starting to diminish by now. In your photo, the area above your tip does look... more