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Nose Looks More Bulbous and Round After Rhinoplasty

I had an open rhinoplasty three weeks ago, and I'm concerned about the current results. My goal for the surgery was to remove the side and front humps around my eyes and raise the tip. While I'm very satisfied with my new profile, and the bone is much slimmer around my eyes, the bottom 2/3 of my nose seems much more bulbous, and my tip appears way rounder (maybe kind of droopy too) than even before the surgery. Can I expect this to adjust with time? Is this still swelling? I don't regret having had it done, but I just hate that after all this, I still feel self conscious about my nose. Thanks!

Asked 39 months ago by PulchraPuella in US

Tip swelling may take a year to completely recede

We pioneered open rhinoplasty in the US more than 30 years ago. We said then that you trade outstanding exposure for a longer time of tip swelling--so, it will go down each month. The length, however, probably won't change. You should discuss this with your surgeon.

Doctor's Website

Toby Mayer, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Time is your friend

It has been about a month since you posted your question. Although I typically advise my patients that it may take 6 months to achieve your final rhinoplasty shape, usually at about 1-2 months my patients are 75% of the way there. You have likely noticed significant improvements in the swelling. This should continue to improve over the next 2 -3 months. Good luck!

Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Swelling of the Nose After Open Rhinoplasty

Hi Gorgeous, The swelling of the nose after open rhinoplasty takes longer to settle than swelling after endonasal (internal incision) rhinoplasty. This is because the entire skin-soft tissue envelope was elevated off of the underlying cartilage and bone. It takes an extra few weeks for the swelling to resolve, and most of it accumulates in the tip. You should expect improvement with time. Do stay in close contact with your surgeon, and let him/her know your concerns. Good luck and... more

Michael A. Persky, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Its way too early to worry!

An open rhinoplasty typically results in a great deal of tip swelling. At three weeks out, your concerns are most probably related to postoperative swelling. Ask your surgeon about a taping regimen to help mold your tip and elevate it. It is a very effective therapy. Rarely, your surgeon has to inject a little steroid if the swelling seems prolonged, but not usually at three weeks postoperative. Hope this helps. Good luck with your nose.

Manish H. Shah, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

It takes time for the nasal tip to improve

After a rhinoplasty, it may take 12 months or more to see the final results of tip modification. The initial swelling should be gone within 3 weeks, but the swelling due to healing will take much longer. During this time, skin will slowly contract and the body will fill the area under the skin with healing tissue that hides the underlying changes. Although major adjustments can be seen immediately, the healing tissue must undergo a maturation process that eventually makes it thin and... more

Randy J. Buckspan, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Post-op Rhinoplasty

If your profile and dorsum look better, than that is great. The lower third of the nose always takes a long time to settle down. This can take months. Give it time. In all likelihood it will look better over the next few months.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Rhinoplasty Experts advise waiting one year for final rhinoplasty results

Swelling may be more severe after an open rhinoplasty vs. a closed rhinoplasty. Nonetheless, a surgeon with enough experience in rhinoplasty would advise you to wait approximately one year to see the final results. The final shape of your nose will be determined by the thickness of your skin, the underlying structural support, and the position of the cartilage. Although swelling is an important factor, you will generally be able to see early signs of your longterm account in about one... more

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Open Rhinoplasty swelling can last for up to 18 months.

You look great and swelling of the tip after open rhinoplasty can last for up to 18 months. Relax and watch the healing take place.

Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

It depends

After open rhinoplasty, approximately 80% of the swelling resolves within the first two weeks. The remainder takes months to completely dissipate, particularly in the tip. If the fullness, however, is firm, it may represent scar formation under the skin (that would warrant a steroid injection at about this time) or the top of the septum that was not removed during surgery. Fullness above the tip is know as a pollybeak deformity and the most common cause of this is inadequate reduction of... more