Rhinoplasty: Q&A

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Is There Still Swelling 7 Months After a Rhinoplasty?

I had an open Rhinoplasty 7 months ago and my tip is still rather large for my taste. I talked with my surgeon about it and he injected a small dose of steroid in my tip and told me to be patient.

I worry that I might have developed too much scar tissue because my skin is thick. Does it go away with time, and will my nose improve in defintion/contour this late in the game? One side feels "puffier" more swollen than the other side of my tip. The skin can be compressed when I lighly touch it!

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nose tip puffiness scar tissue swelling 7 months post-op definition steroid thick skin

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by Shelly2 in Texas

Doctor Answers (8)
Community Comments (0)

Swelling after rhinoplasty

Unfortunately, your particular situation requires a lot of patience. I tell all of my thick-skinned rhinoplasty patients that they should expect at least one year before the majority of swelling has resolved. Many of them will notice a difference even after two or three years. The problem is that many surgeons do not adequately prepare their patients for this extended healing period. The great news for you is that there is still refinement to occur; it just takes patience. more

Ryan Greene, MD, PhD

21 reviews

Fort Lauderdale Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.DrRyanGreene.com

Thick skin

Swelling in thick skinned patients can take a long time to completely resolve. I have even seen patients show improvement up to two years after the procedure. Be patient. If you have a good underlying structure the "puffy" skin will hopefully continue to shrink to fit it.

Michael L. Schwartz, MD

3 reviews

Fort Lauderdale Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.palmbeachface.com

Tip swelling after Rhinoplasty.

At 7 months post Open Rhinoplasty, the nasal tip should be getting softer with decreasing swelling although some residual firmness and swelling can still persisit up to a full year after the Rhinoplasty. Scar tissue will not compress, so it's a good sign your fullness still does. Kenalog 10 shots may be an answer to further decrease swelling and prevent scar tissue formation...ask your Rhinoplasty surgeon for advice.

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Swelling 7 Months after Rhinoplasty

After rhinoplasty, resolution of tip swelling in thick skinned patients will take a lot longer than 7 months . As your surgeon has suggested, be patient - wait another 6-12 months to critique your result.

Richard W. Fleming, MD

10 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Nose swelling after rhinoplasty

You have really answered your own question. In thick skin individuals, nasal swelling can take upwards of 18 months to resolve. Be patient and your nose will continue to improve.

Swelling in nose after seven months

Actually when we consider rhinoplasty over decades, there is little evidence of scar tissue as the cause of thickened nasal shape, and there are few procedures in revision rhinoplasty which remove scar tissue. Years after all tissues in the nose thin and are pliable and soft, except when supported of stiffed by the natural cartilage or grafts placed to support the shape. Thick skin can take up to a year. It is best to wait out full healing, avoid the steroids and consider a... more

Swelling after rhinoplasty (nose job)

Swelling after rhinoplasty (nasal surgery) can occur up to one year after surgery. In thick skinned patients this may take even longer to settle. Patience is key and it seems your physician is trying to get things to settle more quickly with steroid injection. Good luck.

Swelling after rhinoplasty

The swelling after rhinoplasty can take up to 12-15 months to resolve. There is typically dramatic improvement in the first 3-6 months followed by slow improvement over the next 6-9 months. The waiting can be difficult, but try to be patient. Good luck!

P. Daniel Ward, MD

6 reviews

Salt Lake City Facial Plastic Surgeon

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