Rhinoplasty: Q&A

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After Rhinoplasty, How Much of an Upturned Nasal Tip is Due to the Swelling?

I've heard from other patients that postoperatively after rhinoplasty the nasal tip is a bit upturned, mostly due to swelling. As the swelling subsides, what factors contribute to the degree that the tip eventually moves down to the desired shape? And will it certainly move down to the desired shape as discussed preoperatively?

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by Christopherlanc in Boston

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Swelling and Nasal Tip

It is not necessary at all for the nasal tip to rotate upwards during rhinoplasty, unless this is a desired outcome of surgery. When in fact this upward tip rotation is achieved, it is common for there to be some settling of the tip, so that it drops by as much as 3 to 5 degrees, but this often can be minimized when desired to just 2 or so degrees.

After Rhinoplasty, How Much of an Upturned Nasal Tip is Due to the Swelling?

There is always some degree of residual swelling, of the nose, with a Rhinoplasty however how much the nasal tip is rotated is not where that swelling occurs. Tip rotation is caused or more often a consequence of the particular techniques used in the Rhinoplasty to elevate the skin and thin the nasal tip. Some techniques cause large amounts of tip rotation and others none at all. This should be factored in when the Rhinoplasty Surgeon makes his/her selection of what... more

Upturned tip

It is extremely common for the nose tip to appear up-turned in the first few weeks after rhinoplasty due to stiffness and swelling of the tip and columella

Sam Naficy, MD

84 reviews

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleface.com

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Swelling and Appearance of an Upturned Tip after Rhinoplasty

Post-op swelling can give the appearance of an over-rotated or unturned tip after rhinoplasty. This will depend on what was done during your operation and is most commonly seen during the first couple weeks after surgery. Share your question with your surgeon.

Richard W. Fleming, MD

10 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Rhinoplasty - how does the tip change over time

Thanks for your question Christopher, The tip of the nose can be modestly upturned as a result of swelling after a rhinoplasty. This swelling can take a good while (up to a year) to fully resolve. However, it is not certain that the tip will rotate downward as healing takes place. In some cases the tip can actually rotate upward slightly during the healing process. While the reduction of swelling is certainly a factor, the contraction of the soft tissue of the... more

Rhinoplasty and tip swelling

Some swelling of the tip may cause slight tip elevation, but it should not be too significant. Your concerns should be discussed with your doctor.

Steven Wallach, MD

13 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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