I had a rhinoplasty 2 weeks ago. when the splint came of it looked lovely and thin but went alot wider in just two days. I also still have a bit of a hump on the bridge. is this just swelling and will it go down? I don't know if bones swell and if the hump will go? Please help! My nose hardly looks any different at the moment and i am really dissapointed. Will it continue to improve?
Answer: Healing after Rhinoplasty goes in stages 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.
Helpful 76 people found this helpful
Answer: Healing after Rhinoplasty goes in stages 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.
Helpful 76 people found this helpful
July 22, 2018
Answer: Nasal swelling 2 weeks after rhinoplasty It is common to have swelling after a rhinoplasty and 2 weeks is very early to assess the result. The swelling is very commonly quite significant depending on the degree of work that has been carried out. Any swelling including that on the nasal bridge can mask the new shape of the nose, This swelling takes some time to go down and it can be many months before the nose starts taking shape. The nasal cast controls some of the swelling and as soon as it is removed it is natural for some further swelling to set in. For this reason I usually tape the nasal bridge for a further week after the cast is removed since this helps to contain swelling. I also use the ultrasonic rhinoplasty technique which uses a device called a Piezotome to perform the bony work during a rhinoplasty. This technique greatly reduces the swelling and bruising after a rhinoplasty and avoids the issues you are describing. You can read more about this technique in the link below.
Helpful
July 22, 2018
Answer: Nasal swelling 2 weeks after rhinoplasty It is common to have swelling after a rhinoplasty and 2 weeks is very early to assess the result. The swelling is very commonly quite significant depending on the degree of work that has been carried out. Any swelling including that on the nasal bridge can mask the new shape of the nose, This swelling takes some time to go down and it can be many months before the nose starts taking shape. The nasal cast controls some of the swelling and as soon as it is removed it is natural for some further swelling to set in. For this reason I usually tape the nasal bridge for a further week after the cast is removed since this helps to contain swelling. I also use the ultrasonic rhinoplasty technique which uses a device called a Piezotome to perform the bony work during a rhinoplasty. This technique greatly reduces the swelling and bruising after a rhinoplasty and avoids the issues you are describing. You can read more about this technique in the link below.
Helpful
June 30, 2013
Answer: Swelling after 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.
Helpful
June 30, 2013
Answer: Swelling after 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.
Helpful
Answer: Rhinoplasty recovery and swelling Hello and thank you for your question. Since you are only two weeks after surgery, it is very normal and expected to be very swolllen. The final results take at least 1.5 years for the swelling to fully resolve. This can require lots of patience and waiting. Steroid injections performed by your surgeon can be extremely helpful. I usually start steroid injections around 1 to 2 months after surgery and continue as needed. Most patients are able to return to work and resume exercise one week after surgery. I recommend that you maintain close follow up with your surgeon who can evaluate you in person. Best wishes and good luck. Richard G. Reish, M.D. Harvard-trained plastic surgeon
Helpful
Answer: Rhinoplasty recovery and swelling Hello and thank you for your question. Since you are only two weeks after surgery, it is very normal and expected to be very swolllen. The final results take at least 1.5 years for the swelling to fully resolve. This can require lots of patience and waiting. Steroid injections performed by your surgeon can be extremely helpful. I usually start steroid injections around 1 to 2 months after surgery and continue as needed. Most patients are able to return to work and resume exercise one week after surgery. I recommend that you maintain close follow up with your surgeon who can evaluate you in person. Best wishes and good luck. Richard G. Reish, M.D. Harvard-trained plastic surgeon
Helpful
November 17, 2022
Answer: Swelling after Rhinoplaty. 2 weeks is just too early to see the final results. Your nose is still very very swollen and you will need to wait approximately 3 months for your swelling to subside. If you have thick skin, this may take up to h12 months. What you are seeing right now definitely is not your final result. Please give yourself time to heal and be patient. Have a lovely day.
Helpful
November 17, 2022
Answer: Swelling after Rhinoplaty. 2 weeks is just too early to see the final results. Your nose is still very very swollen and you will need to wait approximately 3 months for your swelling to subside. If you have thick skin, this may take up to h12 months. What you are seeing right now definitely is not your final result. Please give yourself time to heal and be patient. Have a lovely day.
Helpful
October 16, 2021
Answer: Swelling after rhinoplasty Hi there. The splint keeps a bit of the swelling down so it is normal to see a bit more swelling after the splint is removed (this can be treated by using the splint at night for at least 6 weeks after surgery). Generally about 70% has resolved by 6 weeks, but it can take a year or two for the rest to go. There can also be swelling caused by specific treatments- eg if the dorm was rasped then some swelling is common on the dorsum. I think the best treatment in your situation is to wear the splint (sitting snugly) as much as possible.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
October 16, 2021
Answer: Swelling after rhinoplasty Hi there. The splint keeps a bit of the swelling down so it is normal to see a bit more swelling after the splint is removed (this can be treated by using the splint at night for at least 6 weeks after surgery). Generally about 70% has resolved by 6 weeks, but it can take a year or two for the rest to go. There can also be swelling caused by specific treatments- eg if the dorm was rasped then some swelling is common on the dorsum. I think the best treatment in your situation is to wear the splint (sitting snugly) as much as possible.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful