How long before I see alar base reduction results?

Alar base reduction results will be seen immediately after the surgery. The skin that is removed from the alar base once removed is clearly evident even through the swelling. It will become more evident over the next several weeks after the surgery as swelling decreases.

The change in alar size and contour will be seen immediately. Redness of the incision will be obvious for 10-14 days. This can be camouflaged wtlh makeup as the wound heals. Swelling will continue to resolve for 6-12 months, but will be relatively inconspicuous at the base of your nose.

Some procedures take more time than others to see the full effects due to swelling that occurs almost immediately after the operation and takes time to subside.  This is not so for alar base reduction - results should be seen immediately although the redness of the scar will improve with time.

Immediately. Swelling will take a while to fully subside and further improve upon the results seen immediately after the surgery. Hope this was helpful. Peter A Aldea, MD

 There are different types of alar base reduction. With some of them, only a small portion of the skin on the outside is removed. If there is a significant swelling, which is unusual for longer than several days,  you might not see the results for these first several days with this particual type of... more

 All doctors are saying the same thing - right after surgery.  If it still looks too wide in your mind, let your doctor know ASAP.

Once you have alar base reduction surgery, you should see results immediately. Yes, there may be some swelling but the results should be immediate.   Redness of the incisions should improve gradually over a few months.

An alar base reduction should show improvement immediately. Swelling is usually minimal with that procedure and typically resolves in 10 to 14 days. If external sutures are placed, they are usually removed in 5 to 7 days.

 Even though the nose is swollen, the results are seen immediately. As the swelling goes down, it will get even smaller in the width of the nose.

Evenb with a little postop swelling present, the results of an alar base reduction should be apparent immediately.  If not, go back to your surgeon and discuss this with them.