Rhinoplasty: Q&A

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Swelling and Changing Shape of Nose After Cast Removal

I had rhinoplasty done about a week and a half ago and I loved the way my nose looked immediately after cast / packing removal. It was very taut, slim, and had a nicely upturned tip. Over the next few days the shape has changed, my nose looks bulbous and bulges out, the tip has dropped far more than expected, and one nostril droops down.

It looks entirely different. I've read that most of this initial swelling subsides after 2 weeks. Is this accurate? And is what I'm describing typical?

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nose tip bulbous tip bulging droopy swelling female drop

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by stampella

Doctor Answers (6)
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Nasal Swelling after Rhinoplasty Cast Removal

Hi stampella, The nose may appear larger, bulbous, or swollen after rhinoplasty cast removal. Most of the swelling improves in the first month after surgery, with the residual swelling taking a year or longer to improve. Speak with your rhinoplasty surgeon regarding any concerns you have. Best of luck. Dr. Chaboki

Rhinoplasty Swelling after Nasal Cast Removal

The nasal cast will minimize swelling after rhinoplasty. The present swelling will reolve over the next several months, not 2 weeks as you suggest. It will take time for you to see the final result.

Richard W. Fleming, MD

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Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Normal for nose to swell post-Rhinoplasty

It's completely normal and expected that swelling of the nose will occur, be asymmetrical for weeks after the cast is removed. I have all of my Rhinoplasty patients look at their nose right after I remove their cast following a Rhinoplasty and show them how their nose can and will swell unevenly on one side on day and the other side the next. I instruct all my Rhinoplasty patients on how to massage this swelling out of their nose beginning at 1 month. more

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Rhinoplasty swelling after cast removal

It is true that if you do not like what you see as the case is removed there can be trouble ahead. True also that the skin will swell a bit as the cast or splint is removed. Still your nose should look OK though the definition may be temporarily lost. After six months things should sort themselves out again, and still the best is yet to come after the first year of healing. Be patient and stay the course. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Temporary Changes in the Appearance of The Nose After Rhinoplasty Splint Removal

It is very typical that the nose shape will temporarily change after splint removal due to swelling. What once looked great right when the splint came off will swell and look less defined within a matter of days. This is because the splint adapted the skin to the changed underlying framework. Not that this pressure is off, the tissue will naturally ballon up and look 'worse'. This will eventually improve but it is going to take months before the shape returns as the skin shrinks back... more

Rhinoplasty changes

Dear Stampella, It is still very early in your healing process after rhinoplasty. If it looked good after your cast removal, it should look good after it heals up. The initial bulk of swelling takes about 2 weeks to come down, but the final result won't be permanent until about the six month mark. There are also patient factors like the thickness of the skin which can delay healing. As you heal, the skin will start contracting, or shrink wrapping, around your... more

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