3 Weeks Post Rhino, One Side is Beginning to Sink?

I had rhinoplasty about a 3 weeks ago and I know it is still WAY too early for all swelling to be gone. On one side of my nose right above the tip, it is beginning to somewhat sink in and is a little more squishy then the other side. When you look at it straight on it looks flat on the side that is sinking and is darker due to the depth of it. I feel like there was something taken out of that side and not the other. I’m wondering if this is normal or it’s something I should be worried about.

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by alexi999

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Swelling and fullness after rhinoplasty

Swelling of the nose after rhinoplasty is common. An examination is important to distinguish between swelling and cartilaginous fullness. Surgery90210

At 3 Weeks After a Rhinoplasty It Will Be Hard To Tell Cause Of Asymmetries

You are correct that swelling will be present at 3 weeks after a rhinoplasty. Swelling in and around the tip last longer than the other areas of the nose. It is hard to tell without a picture, the cause of the difference between the 2 sides. I would first look at your pre-op pictures to see the difference of the 2 sides before surgery. Many times patients are surprised that these asymmetries may of been present before the surgery. The indented area could be due... more

Sinking nose after rhinoplasty

You're right that there should still be swelling in the area this soon after surgery. It's hard to comment without seeing your nose, but it isn't uncommon for the nasal swelling to be somewhat asymmetric at this stage. I would give your nose time to heal and continue following your surgeon's instructions.

Swelling and assymetry following rhinoplasty.

After rhinoplasty the swelling typically peaks on Day 3 or 4 following surgery. It then begins to decrease and will initially decrease fairly quickly then much more gradually over the course of the next 9 to 12 months. Typically the tip and supratip regions remain swollen for longer time frames than other areas. I inform my patients that at approximately 2 weeks postop, approximately 75% of the swelling has resolved and by 4 weeks 85% of the swelling has resolved... more

Uneven swelling

After rhinoplasty when the splint is first removed patients can't help but stare and examine their nose constantly for the first few weeks. As a general rule when I first remove the splint from my patients I advise them that over the next two weeks the swelling will may go down unevenly and that one day one side may look bigger and then the next day the other will look different. I advise them not to panic as often this will settle down after the first 4-6 weeks. Check with your doctor... more