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Does the Nose Become Smaller As Scar Tissue Matures?

asked 1 year ago by gelee30 in Dallas, TX
Latest answer by Ivan Thomas, MD
Question viewed 1,932 times
Tags: healing, scar tissue, smaller

I had an open Septorhinoplasty 19 weeks ago to straighten and narrow my nose, and to define my tip. So far, I'm not too satisfied with my result. I was hoping for more defintion and contour in my nose (sidewall/tip region), and for the tip to be smaller. I've read it takes up to a year to see the final result. My doctor doesn't believe in steroid injections, so will my nose eventually shrink, soften, and define with time? I'm confused about scar tissue and the healing process.

14 answers to Does the Nose Become Smaller As Scar Tissue Matures?

Does the Nose become Smaller as Scar Tissue Matures

At 19 weeks normal swelling is present and will continue to decrease for at least a year. At the same time, the skin will shrink. Steroid injections are sometimes used to accelerate the process. Be patient.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Rhinoplasty Improves with Time

Although there is an immediate improvement after a rhinoplasty, the nose continues to improve its contour as the swelling subsides and the scar tissue softens. These changes take approximately a year. I would encourage you to remain patient until the full healing has been achieved.

Frank Agullo, MD
El Paso Plastic Surgeon

www.elpasoplasticsurgery.com

Be Patient

At 19 weeks you can not judge the final results of your operation. If your nose is think and oily it may take up to 2 years for the swelling to subside. If your nasal tip is thick with weak cartilage you may never get a perfectly refined shape. It takes one year for the average Rhinoplasty to settle and shrink to its expected size. The key is patience.

Ivan Thomas, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Yes, the nose does become smaller over time following rhinoplasty surgery

Yes, the nose does become smaller over time following rhinoplasty surgery. Not only does scar tissue contract, but the post-operative swelling and edema takes many months to resolve. It does, in fact, take up to 12-18 months to see the final result of your surgery. Nonetheless, I do believe in steroid injections, if needed, to help even out any contour irregularities or prolonged swelling post-operatively.

Michael R. Macdonald, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drmmacdonald.com

Swelling in the nose

It takes up to one year for nasal swelling to resolve following rhinoplasty. So you'll have to wait it out for now. In one year you will know how much definition your surgeon got you.

Arian Mowlavi, MD
Laguna Beach Plastic Surgeon

Swelling after rhinoplasty

Most postoperative swelling after rhinoplasty (about 70-80%) will resolve in the first 2-3 months. Some residual swelling may be present, but it should not cause such a notable assymetry or difference. The best way to address this is to discuss it with your surgeon. It is not a good idea to push for any kind of revision inside of a year, however, because the healing process is not complete.

Paul K. Holden, MD
Phoenix Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.HoldenFace.com

Usually there is some shrinkage over time...

There are so many variables to the healing time of a nose following rhinoplasty: the thickness of the skin, the amount of size reduction, the skill of the surgeon, the health and age of the patient. At 19 weeks in my practice my patients may have 1-2 mm of soft tissue swelling, especially just above the tip. Refinement over time is usually the rule. There is a scar contracture factor that can set in at about a year and progress for many years after. Without seeing your photos it is hard... more

Ivan Wayne, MD
Oklahoma City Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty Surgery Takes Up To One Year To See The Final Result

The results from rhinoplasty is an evolving process and it may take up to a year to see the final result. While it is understandable at nearly 5 months after surgery that you are anxious to see a greater level of improvement, it would be premature to consider any revisional rhinoplasty at this time anyway. Besides the likelihood that some further refinement will occur as the skin of the nose continues to shrink back down, the nose tissues are not adequately healed and soft enough again to... more

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

Nose Refinement Over Time After Rhinoplasty

Hi Gelee, Yes, your nose should continue to refine over time after your rhinoplasty. Be patient. Seeing patients years later, it is sometimes amazing how much the nose can change. Good luck and be well. Dr. P

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

The nose does refine with time

It does take quite a while for the swelling and skin to heal after rhinoplasty -- especially with making the nose smaller as the same amount of skin must shrink wrap over the smaller nasal framework. The time frame for this healing process to occur varies depending on your specific surgery and your anatomy (skin type). The thicker your skin the longer this process takes. Although you'll often hear that healing is complete after 1 year, I often find that with the long term... more

Thomas A Lamperti, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Poor nasal tip definition amost 5 months after open septorhinoplasty

It has been my experience that, unlike the closed technique,the open rhinoplasty degloves the soft tissues of the bony -cartilage framework and thus leaves a longer recovery of the nose with late "shrinkwrap" So be patient longer it could take 1 year.Steroid injection may help but use it judiciouslly.

Erel Laufer, M.D.
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

Nose Surgery and Rhinoplasty Scar Tissue

There is no question that the nose remains swollen for a long time, and in general, up to a year after rhinoplasty. It is definitely worth waiting to make assessments about the result if possible until at least 6 months after surgery.

Jeff Scott, MD
Everett Plastic Surgeon

Skin changes after rhinoplasty over time

At 19 weeks, your nose is still swollen, so its too early to evaluate. With time almost all noses will get smaller due to two factors: 1. reduction of the post-surgery swelling, and 2. long term shrinking of the skin. Both of these processes will take longer in patients with thicker skin or patients whose nose was big or wide to begin with. Steroid injections can be somewhat useful in reducing local skin swelling and reduce skin thickening. Some doctors don't like... more

A. John Vartanian, MD
Glendale Facial Plastic Surgeon

Results of Rhinoplasty Take at Least 1 Year

After 19 weeks, you can expect to see your nose trending toward its final result, but there is still swelling present. This is most noticeable in the nasal tip region, where swelling lasts the longest. If you research this site, you will note that most Surgeons agree that Rhinoplasty results are best evaluated at 1 year. Use of steroid injections (kenalog) can be helpful in hastening the process, but are not always necessary, and can cause tissue atrophy. Your best... more