Nose Getting Bigger After Rhinoplasty? Doctor Answers, Tips
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Nose Getting Bigger After Rhinoplasty?

I had reduction Rhinoplasty to make the nose smaller. After getting the splint off, I was happy cause my nose seemed small but everytime now I look in the mirror it seems to be getting bigger. Is this normal and will it go down again?

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by angel35 in Ireland
+2

Normal healing

Initially the nose does look smaller as soon as the cast comes off because of the compression the cast places on the nasal bridge. This does not allow fluid retention in the nasal sidewalls while the cast is in place. As soon as the cast comes off, fluid retention, lymphatic edema occurs over the tip and the bridge, which takes a full year to settle down and go away. It tends to take longer in thick-skinned olive and oily skinned people. If it happens in the tip, cortisone shots can be... more
+2

Swelling from rhinoplasty may take 6 months or more to fully resolve

Swelling from rhinoplasty may take 6 months or more to fully resolve. In your particular instance, when the splint is removed any swelling that was controlled by the splint now fills your nose. What you saw immediately after the splint removal is approximately 80-85% of your final result. The remaining 15-20% of swelling will take the time mentioned above. Be patient. The nasal skin is thick and holds swelling for a longer time.
+1

Swelling After Rhinoplasty Will Lessen With Time

The swelling you are concerned about is completely normal after having a splint removed. A full recovery from a rhinoplasty can take up to a year. Our body has to go through the healing process, so I would give it a good amount of time and attend every post op appointment. If it has been more than a year and you area still feeling that way I would recommend discussing it with the surgeon who performed your procedure. “Dr. D”

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+1

Be Patient, Your Nose Should Improve With Time

Be patient. Rhinoplasty results can take time to become apparent. The amount of swelling and how long it persists after rhinoplasty depends on several factors such as the surgeon's technique, open versus closed approach, whether the nasal bones were broken, and the number of prior nasal surgeries. Patients in whom open rhinoplasty techniques were used, cases in which the nasal bones were broken, and a history of one or more previous nasal surgeries often will have more prolonged swelling... more
+1

Yes, it is normal after Rhinoplasty

It is a great sign that you were happy with the result when the splint came off. However, swelling in the nose is very very common after Rhinoplasty. I am not sure how long ago the procedure was done, but you will steadily see an improvement in the swelling in a few months. It may take 4 to 6 months for most of the swelling to diminish. Be patient and give it some time. Good luck.
+1

Yes it will.

 The swelling is temporary and usually takes 6-12 months to recede. There is nothing to do to make it go away faster than more time.
+1

Swelling usually improves with time after Rhinoplasty.

Dear Angel, How long has it been since your surgery? You may notice some slight swelling that is more pronounced in the am, but this shouldn't be worse than the day you had your dressing removed. Please visit your surgeon for a thorough examination, and photos. Seeing before and after pictures will demonstrate your progress. I hope this helps, and best regards.
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Comments (3)

Andcall4 29 Jul 2012
Hi Angel,
Did your nose swelling ever go down? Are you happy with the result after all. I too had a rhinoplasty 2 weeks ago and feel my nose looks the same as before and is swollen. Id appreciate any comments. Thanks!!
angel35 31 Jul 2012
hi, yeh it took a few months before it went down tho, and probably a year for it to be completly down. from experience dont judge too much on what you see in the mirror the mirror has a way of making the nose look bigger and any swellen the mirror makes your nose look wonky and not straight even tho to the eye it could be perfectly straight lol. its hard to get used mentally to seeing a new nose and not what was there before youll mentally picture ur old nose and best way to get used to ur new nose is mentally picturing it and taking a photo in a month or two and comparing it to an old one youll see differences and some people told me a new hair cut seems to freshing up your look after rhinoplasty weird i know but new hair new face i was told lol
Andcall4 29 Jul 2012
Hi Angel,
Did your nose swelling ever go down? Are you happy with the result after all. I too had a rhinoplasty 2 weeks ago and feel my nose looks the same as before and is swollen. Id appreciate any comments. Thanks!!

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