What I tell my rhinoplasty patients is that they must be patient, and it is O.K. to ask questions.

S. Pasquale Maggi, MD answers: Too soon after surgery to be worried about uneven nostrils?

I recently had open rhinoplasty and am now one week post-op. I realize that the end result is forever away, however, I am a little concerned about the convex shape of my right nostril. I want to know: (1) if this is normal, (2) will this fall away or fade, (3) are there possibly stitches there that are making it keep this shape or something else that could be causing that? I am hesitant to ask my doctor simply because it's his "art" and I can't help but think that his answer would be slightly biased (therefore not succeed at putting me at ease) :) Thank you all so much in advance for volunteering your time to do this -- it means a lot!!

17 months ago

By S. Pasquale Maggi, MD - Austin Plastic Surgeon

Dear Kacee,

I tell all my rhinoplasty patients many times before the surgery that this particular procedure requires allot of patience on the part of the patient. In my experience this is particularly evident in an 'open" rhinoplasty. I feel that most of this is because rhinoplasty is a "surgery of millimeters". And until the majority of the swelling of the various tissues (skin, cartilage, bone, etc) many of early concerns are dynamic and will change as the healing process takes place, In terms of my practice, and I feel is similar for most other physicians, having my patients ask me questions, or voice any concerns, is seen by me and my staff as a fundamental part of the healing/post-operative process, and thus encouraged. I hope you still trust your surgeon, as I am sure you do since you chose him to perform the procedure, and you should be confident that you will get an honest answer to this question. As far as answering your specific question about the contour of your right alar rim/nostril you would be best served to ask your surgeon, since it may require inspecting inside your nose to properly evaluate the area in question.

Best wishes,

S.P. Maggi, M.D.

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