Rhinoplasty results don't match projected outcome photo

I had rhinoplasty, cheek implants, and blepharoplasty 12 days ago. I had a hump on my nose and the bridge was too wide. Also, my nose was too long and kind went downward at the tip when I smiled. I had a deviated septum also, so that was fixed, which was the main reason to even see the doctor and the rest followed.

I'm so scared b/c my nose looks terrible! It's still long and wide at the bridge, and I still have a hump on my nose.

From the side profile I can tell somewhat of a difference, but it doesn't look like the Photoshop picture he showed before the surgery. Is this normal??

I was always told how beautiful I was all the time before surgery now I'm scared I made myself ugly and wasted $12,000!!!

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11 answers to “Rhinoplasty results don't match...”

A: Rhinoplasty Results

By Raffy Karamanoukian, MD - Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Results after rhinoplasty surgery take some time to appear normal. The soft tissue sweling often imprairs the ability to see the results of the surgery in the first one or two weeks. Allow several weeks for the swelling to subside and maintain a close relationship with your surgeon to determine the next course... more

A: Give your Rhinoplasty some more time

By Andrew Miller, MD - New Jersey Facial Plastic Surgeon

After 12 days, I'm sure you still have significant swelling, so you can't tell what the final result is. You have to give it a few months. The computer is a very powerful tool and can make dramatic changes to a nose that sometimes cannot be duplicated in real life. We always try to approximate an imaging... more

A: Your emotional response is normal!

By Robert M. Freund, MD - New York City Plastic Surgeon

Many patients have an uncertain helpless feeling after the surgery when they look at themselves in the mirror. It takes time to see the final results. Even I sometimes get disappointed when performing a procedure and do not see the final results in days as opposed to months - which is more reasonable.

A: I'm glad it worked out

By Kenneth R. Francis, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Izzy, It's great that you discussed things with your surgeon and he/she was able to allay your fears. You've got a long course of healing to go, so have faith in your surgeon and if you have further concerns call and ask about them. I'm sure your surgeon will be more that happy to explain what is... more

A: Rhinoplasty and Photoshop/ Computer Imaging

By Michael A. Persky, MD - Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Hi Izzy, It is too early to make any judgments about your nose, and there is not anything to do about it for a few months. You need to share your concerns with your nasal surgeon and listen to his/her comments. Usually after 12 days one has somewhat of an idea of what you may look like, but there... more

A: Early Rhinoplasty Concerns are Usually Not Real

By Richard W. Westreich, MD - Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon

12 days after a rhinoplasty where tip and profile alteration were done is WAY too early to be concerned. Generally, the rule of thumb is 7-10 days for social acceptability, 1 month until 80% of swelling will be gone, and 9-12 months until 90-100% will be gone. Those numbers may vary a little based on what... more

A: Rhinoplasty and computer imaging

By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

I am not a big fan of computer imaging and therefore do not use it in my office. Although it can give a suggestion of the final result, the computer does not tak into account the underlying nasal architecture. That be said, since it is only 12 days out after surgery, you have to give it some time... more

A: It is early

By Evan Sorokin, MD - Cherry Hill Plastic Surgeon

It is very early after your procedure. Often swelling will distort the results of your procedure. I would go see your surgeon and address your specific concerns. Photoshop projections of what you "may" look like after a procedure are never exact as they are computer generated "ideals." ... more

A: Too early, so don't worry!

By Manish H. Shah, MD - Denver Plastic Surgeon

At twelve days postop with you will be very swollen, especially because you had eyelid and cheek surgery in addition to your nose surgery. Ask you surgeon about a postop taping regimen to help bring the swelling down. It takes nearly a year to get the final results from a nose surgery so be very patient. ... more

A: Rhinoplasty and Photoshop results

By Brent Moelleken, MD - Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Hopefully when the swelling subsides the nose will reflect more of what you had wanted. 12 days after surgery is way too early to judge results! That being said, doctors are usually careful to use Photoshop type aids as a platform to discuss the surgery, not as a guaranteed outcome. There is... more

More answers to Rhinoplasty results don't match projected outcome photo
Seattle - Best to wait and be patient

Comments

izzy2008
8 posts
2 Jan 2009

Thank you for all your input. After reading all the posts I went straight to my doctor to explain my issues. He said these were all normal and that I'm exactly where I should be. He made me laugh b/c he said if my nose would look perfect now I'd have to worry! I might end up with hardly any nose if it were perfect right now just before 2 weeks after surgery.

awalk
465 posts
5 Apr 2009

Izzy When you have nose surgery involving the tip it does take a little longer to see the final result and continues to shrink as the swelling goes down for up to a year or so after.. I watched this happen with a girlfriend.. Best wishes

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