When Did Swelling Go Down After Your Rhinoplasty Surgery?

2 weeks after Rhinoplasty is still the infancy of healing. So, try to be optimistic and patient at this stage of the game.

Several things should be remembered while you are awaiting your long term (and enduring) result.

The cast and tape is placed to reduce rhinoplasty swelling over the first week. It does this by holding the tissues down tightly to the underlying cartilage and bone. As such, there is often a little swelling that comes out after it is removed.

Besides the cast issue, most rhinoplasty is reductive in nature, meaning that the height of the nose is reduced. When looking from the front, this can often give the impression of widening or a persistent bump in the early post operative period. Here's why:

• The perception of nasal width from frontal view has to do with the interplay of shadow, highlight, and shadow as one moves across the nose.
• The places where bone is broken in many reductive rhinoplasties is the side of the nasal bones below the eyes and the central portion of the nose where a hump is removed.
• Bones heal by initially forming what is called a callus, which stabilizes the 2 adjacent segments across a break. This callus is thicker than the final bone that will be there after healing is complete.
• Callus gets replaced by normal bone over the first few months after surgery.
• Therefore, it will take more time for shadows to reappear along the side of the nose than for other swelling to go down. This diminishes the contrast between the top of the nose and the shadow, creating the perception of widening. This will improve over time.
• The area where your bump was is also healing in the same manner, so be patient. It will flatten with time.

Finally, depending on your skin thickness, the nasal tip may take longer for the skin to redrape and assume a narrower configuration.

Web reference: http://www.michaelelammd.com

Bruising and swelling are a normal part of rhinoplasty recovery. They are dependent on several factors related to both the surgical technique and the patient. Techniques that increase bruising and swelling include whether or not the nasal bones were broken (osteotomies), the extent of soft tissue dissection/elevation from the bony-cartilaginous framework, and whether the surgery was performed open or closed.

Swelling after rhinoplasty resolves at variable rates. For the initial two weeks, the nose is markedly swollen and noticable to anyone. After the second week, the swelling usually subsides such that it is not obvious to the casual observer that anything has been done to the nose; however, the nose will look "puffy" to the patient for several months. Usually by 4 months, the vast majority of the swelling will dissipate, but it may take a full year (or longer in some cases) for all of the swelling to resolve.

When surgeons rasp (file down) a hump on the bridge of the nose, it will typically remain swollen for several weeks afterward. Your surgeon should be able to tell you whether or not the amount of swelling is normal.

Patience is a virtue. Swelling over the bones is usually gone in 6 weeks.  Swelling over the tip and the area just above the tip (supratip and midvault) can take 12-18 months to clear.  Depending on the thickness of your skin and the amount of surgery done to your nose, swelling can actually get worse once the splint comes off.   Please consult with your surgeon if you have any other questions.

Nobody has ever had a final result 2 week after rhinoplasty. Your lack of experience with this surgery also makes your evaluation difficult at this time. Share you concerns with the surgeon you choose to operate on your face. Don't second guess that individual now. You will see a lot of improvement during the next few weeks.

Rhinoplasty surgery is frequently accompanied by significant swelling. It’s not unusual for this swelling to last for several weeks. In most cases, small amounts of residual swelling may persist for up to a year following surgery. After two weeks the majority of patients are comfortable resuming their normal lives and going out in public. In the immediate postoperative period, nasal splints, elevation of the head, and ice can be used to minimize swelling.

It’s highly probable that your findings are related to swelling. It’s important that you discuss these issues with your plastic surgeon. Your surgeon should be able to recommend the most appropriate course of action to obtain the best possible rhinoplasty result.

Swelling after a rhinoplasty can last for several weeks so it's completely normal that you are not seeing the final results of your procedure yet. I would recommend trying to stay patient and allow yourself to go through the healing process. Your nose went through changes so it's important to allow for proper recovery.

Swelling after rhinoplasty surgery can be quite severe. The initial splint which is usually left in place for one week can control this to some extent, but it is often the case that after the splint is removed there can be some additional swelling in the area. Also, the swelling will continue to go up and down for several months after surgery. The swelling will increase when the temperature is hot, when you get upset or angry, or if you are physically active.

Two weeks following surgery is still very early, and at least 50% of the swelling is still there. By approximately one month after surgery about 75% of the swelling will have resolved. The remaining 25% of the swelling will not be very noticeable, and will slowly resolve from that point up until about 9 months following surgery.

Web reference: http://www.corygoldbergmd.com/toronto-rhinoplasty.html

Thanks for the great question. This is the toughest part of rhinoplasty -- waiting patiently for the swelling to go down. As others have mentioned, the soft plastic cast and tape which are placed after the surgery help to keep the swelling down and to get the soft tissues reattached to the underlying framework (bones and cartilage). After these are removed, some swelling will accumulate in the nose. Depending on the amount of work that was done, the thickness of your skin, and other healing factors, this may take a few weeks to a few months to completely resolve. In some cases, targeted injections of a steroid can help it along. Best of luck, and stay in touch with your surgeon.

Web reference: http://www.sanfranciscofacialplasticsurgery.com/rhinoplasty/

Thank you for your question. Swelling after Rhinoplasty can be very significant and easily hide the eventual result. Your appearance right after the splint was removed is more accurate than how it looks two weeks later. As a general rule, you can not evaluate the results for 3-6 months and the final result is at one year. Try to be patient and discuss your concerns with your surgeon. Good luck.