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.

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11 answers to “Lumpy cartilage after open Rhinoplasty”

A: Bumps 3 Months After Open Rhinoplasty

Michael A. Persky, MD

Hi MNM, Your question is difficult to answer without examining you, and knowing what your rhinoplastic surgeon did.  You should return to your surgeon for a check up. Occaisionally after rhinoplasty patients may feel bumps inside of their nostrils where the incisions have been made.  These usually... more

A: Bumps can be caused by different things

Manish H. Shah, MD

The nose can take 10-12 months to fully settle down. It is not unusual to feel mild asymmetries and contour irregularities for weeks after rhinoplasty. That being said, you should go see your surgeon and voice your issues so that he/she can examine you and help in the assessment. Bumps can be caused by... more

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

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

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... more

A: Hard to tell

Steven Wallach, MD

Lumpiness from a rhinoplasty is difficult to asses without examining you.  It could be scar tissue but it is more likely cartilage grafts that may have shifted.  A wide base may be becuase the base was not treated successfully, but with open rhinoplsaty, you should really give it a year before you... more

A: Multiple Possibilities

Scott E. Kasden, MD

At three months, your nose is not nearly healed, but enough swelling has resolved that you can start to see some detail. You may be seeing excess scar tissue formation, visible cartilage grafts, or warping of cartilage.  Best case you may be looking at some stubborn local swelling. With luck, your doctor... more

A: Give Rhinoplasty results more time

Samson Lee, MD

Having small cartilage irregularities can potentially happen after Rhinoplasty. If you can feel them but not see them, then I wouldn't recommend doing anything about it. If however you can see them, there are two possibilities. One is it is scar tissue buildup, the other possibility is that it is the edge of a... more

A: May still improve

York Jay Yates, MD

At 3 months, you should be seeing basically a slightly swollen version of the end result.  There is still some swelling present at three months and some scar tissue will continue to soften.  If there is quite a bit of irregularity at this time you may need a revision.  Unfortunately,... more

A: There are a number of reasons

William Portuese, MD

The lumpy cartilage in the nose may be a result of cartilage grafting or warpage that can occur in the postoperative phase. It can also be caused by edema and swelling in the postoperative phase. It could also be scar tissue, but at this point the scar tissue will subside in time, and no further surgery... more

A: Lumpy Cartilage

Daniel Reichner, MD

I agree with my Colleagues it is best to wait 6 to 12 months for the swelling to resolve.  However if there is visible lumps, irregularity or asymmetry a hyaluronic filler may be appropriate to smooth things out until your healing is complete.

A: Still too early to see final Rhinoplasty result

Joseph Perlman, MD

Rhinoplasty may take up to a year to see the final result. This is especially true after an open rhinoplasty because there is more dissection and more possibility of scar tissue formation. At the same time, I find that gives me better results because I can actually see the cartilage that is being modified. ... more

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Hinsdale - scar tissue or cartilage misplaced?
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