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Upturned Pig-like Nose After Rhinoplasty

I had my Rhinoplasty surgery done 3 days ago and am very concerned about my nose now. I had a downward turned tip, which I asked to be corrected. but now when i look at it, it seems to have gone totally opposite and now looks upturned like a pig's nose. I am very concerned as I have so many events to go to and i feel it's a drastic change and not a subtle one. I trusted the doctor and asked him to work with it to suit my face, but now I'm very very worried and feel people will comment. Can this still be corrected? I think I'm going to need revision surgery, but I am also very worried about it being made worse and people laughing at me. I wish I had not done this now.

Asked 36 months ago by New lady in UK
Sort 39 expert answers by:
+4

Tip rotation after rhinoplasty

The upturned tip you are describing three days out from rhinoplasty is perfectly normal. The swelling at the base of the nose and upper lip as well as the tape and splint are contributing to this "upturned" look. Once the splint comes off (around day 6 or 7) and the majority of the swelling resolves (around day 10), your nose will look significantly different. We usually recommend giving the nose a full year to settle down before even considering any sort of revision surgery.... more
Umang Mehta, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+4

Upturned Nose After Rhinoplasty

My colleagues are right - 3 days is too early to judge your final results. Swelling, sutures, taping and splints can alter the initial shape. It is not uncommon for the tip to drop during the healing process. After 8 to 12 weeks, if you are still not happy with the tip rotation, discuss a possible revision with your surgeon.
Daniel Reichner, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+2

Too Soon to Judge!

Your concern is completely reasonable, it's just way too soon to judge! In the first few days, the tip will look too high more often than not, due to the interaction of swelling, taping and the splint. The tip will often relax within minutes of removing the splint and tape.
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Upturned nose days after rhinoplasty: Please be patient!

It's much too early to predict your final result in the first few days. Immediately after surgery the nasal structures have been weakened and need time to heal and strengthen. Often surgeons will add extra support to the nasal tip with tape in the early period to support the nose until it gets stronger, and this makes the nose look upturned. After first-time rhinoplasty, I would give it three months before making any predictions of the final result. If after a suitable time you... more
Anand D. Patel, MD
Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Rhinoplasty and Upturned Tip

New Lady, I would just try and be very patient with the healing process. First off, as others have noted here, your bandages should still be in place that would preclude you from even seeing what your nose looks like underneath. I normally leave rhinoplasty bandages in place for about 5-6 days. Even without bandages, your nose is expected to be quite swollen and probably over-corrected in terms of the tip position. In rhinoplasty cases where we are elevating the nasal tip, most rhinoplasty... more
John M. Hilinski, MD
San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Upturned nose

Although I agree with previous posts, about the swelling causing the tip to be upturned, if the tip was over-rotated during surgery even when the swelling decreases the tip will remain too high. Pictures may be helpful.
Michel Siegel, MD
Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

It is too early!

Unfortunately you haven't even reached full swelling postoperatively yet. The nasal tip will temporarily turn up in patients when it is swollen. As time goes by and the nasal tip swelling comes down, the tip will deflate and rotate back down into a more cosmetically appropriate position. I would be patient and give it time. Ask your surgeon for tip deswelling exercises that you can do to help this process along. Good luck, Dr. Shah
Manish H. Shah, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+1

It takes time

Many of my patients have concern about the appearance of their nose immediately after surgery. Very often this has to do with swelling. For example there nose may look asymmetric, the tip may appear bigger, etc. Many of these concerns abate with time. An up-turned nose is not usually on of those concerns. The rotation of the nose is unlikely to go "down" over time. In point of fact - many patients will see a subtle increase in rotation over time. So - it is possible that your... more
Benjamin C. Marcus, MD
Madison Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Upturned, Snout-like or Piggy Nose following rhinoplasty

It is far too early to  judge the long term outcome of your rhinoplasty (nose job). Nose frequently appear to be snout-like or upturned or piggy during the first couple of weeks. In most instances this settles by 3 weeks and is markedly better by 6 months. If you are upset with the appearance discuss it with your surgeon and he/she may instiute massages that could expedite this process. see video
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Post-Rhinoplasty 3 day Expectations

While I am not sure just how much your nasal tip was rotated up, I advise all my patients to expect some dropping of the tip with healing - usually somewhere around 3 to 5 degrees from the angle made with the upper lip.
Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD
Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

3 days after rhinoplasty is too soon to judge results but...

It is too early to judge the results of your rhinoplasty. At three days, the swelling, dressings, and splints may have a distorting effect on the appearance. You may also feel that it looks too upturned, even though it is within normal aesthetic limits (especially if it was drooping significantly pre operatively).  The angle between the lip and bottom edge of the nose should be 95-100 degrees, so this can be an objective measurement. ... more
Lawrence Tong, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon
+1

Rhinoplasty Remorse

A Rhinoplasty is a very precise technical operation that produces significant post operative swelling and may take at least a year to see a final result.  Having performed many, I have seen a wide variety of reactions and concerns from patients in the initial post operative period, that are ushered in with relief when the nasal splint is removed at 7 days.  It is too early to make any estimation of how your nose will look or what your surgeon intended by the operation.... more
Daniel Shapiro, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
+1

3 days is too soon to judge rhinoplasty results

3 days is way too soon to judge the results of a rhinoplasty.  It can take months to see the results.  Your nose is going to evolve over the next few months.  Don't fret.  Relax.  It is truly hard to see the final result so early after surgery.  You can start seeing the true results at about 6 weeks, however you will not be able to see fine definition at this point.  It will take months for the swelling to subside to slowly see the fine detail. more
Raghu Athre, MD
Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Nasal tip and upturned tip after rhinoplasty

The upturned nose may reflect an artifact of the differential swelling of the tip and the splint placement on the dorsum.  I would wait one week for the swelling to resolve.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Piggy nose after rhinoplasty

It is normal for the nose to look upturned after rhinoplasty. Please do not judge the nose for 1-2 weeks, after which it will slowly start to look normal. Remember, the final nose will not be evident for several months, and it can take up to 1 year for all of the swelling to come down.
Andres Bustillo, MD
Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pig nose after surgery.

  Its still very early!!  Your nose will come down as the swelling goes down. You should not judge your nose for many months. If you do have issues with your final results I would not recommend a revision for a minimum of 6 to 9 months.  Talk with you physician as I am sure he will make you feel better.  If worse comes to worse revision surgery is always an option. Good Luck.
Carlos Wolf, MD
Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

3 days After Rhinoplasty

3 days after a Rhinoplasty, I would expect that the nose is still taped and that you are wearing some form of nasal splint.  Although it may be very hard for you to avoid anxiety, 72 hours postop is not a good time to start analyzing your result; it will take at least a year for your result to fully unfold. Taping after Rhinoplasty is designed partially to act as a tip supporting measure and can exaggerate the rotation of your nasal tip.  Secondly, if you had a very drooping nasal... more
Stephen Prendiville, MD
Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Overcorrection of the tip of the nose can be corrected but might require an implant.

3 days is too early to make a pronouncement about the outcome of a rhinoplasty.  If, however, your problem persists, the tip will need to be pushed into the correct position.  The angle between the columella of the nose and the upper lip should be 90-100 degrees.  This might require an onlay graft to push the tip cartilages into their rightful position.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Rhinoplasty Post-op Concerns

Patience is definitely a virtue following rhinoplasty surgery.  I usually explain to patients that you don't see a final result following rhinoplasty for a full year.  So, at 3 days you should not even concern yourself.  It is simply too early to assess.  And certainly too early to even be thinking about a revision.  Swelling is probably at its worst now and any bruising may further contribute to the early post-op appearance that is concerning you.  Give it... more
Jeffrey Weinzweig, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Upturned nose after rhinoplasty

Being only 3 days out from your surgery your nose will continue to evolve as the swelling goes down. It is quite common to get a significant amount of tissue swelling at the base of the nose which will cause the nose to appear upturned. This should settle down during the first few weeks of surgery especially. I would certainly suggest mentioning your concerns to your surgeon, however, as your surgeon would best be able to give you a sense of how everything is progressing. more
Thomas A Lamperti, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Rhinoplasty appearance 3 days after surgery

It is not possible to evaluate the nose at 3 days after surgery with a cast, splint in place.  Patience is the key early on with the nose.  Once the swelling has dissipated, a better evaluation of the nose can take place.
Anil R. Shah, MD
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Be Patient for Swelling to Resolve

I would voice your concerns with your surgeon.  This does not sound unusual for being 3 days out from nasal surgery.  Be patient.   Warmest regards, Dr. Pippin.
Gregory Pippin, MD
New Orleans Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

It is not possible to know the final result of the rhinoplasty so soon

Rotation of the nose is a common technique in a rhinoplasty and can yield pleasing results. At three days after surgery the nose is swollen and the tissues have not healed to know the final result.  It is best to consult the surgeon who performed the procedure and express your concerns.
Robert Mounsey, MD
Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Three day old rhinoplasty

     First, three days after your rhinoplasty I would expect you to still have the splint on.  The early swelling can lead to distortions which will look nothing like your final result.  Don't over-scrutinize or obsess with what you see right now and trust the process.  Months from now, if you still don't like the result, get several opinions for a revisional surgical approach.  Check with some trusted friends in about a week or two to get a more... more
Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Nose appearance shortly after surgery

At 3 days after surgery your nose should still be in a cast, which makes it nearly impossibly to tell wht your final result will be.  Hoppe you chose your surgeon well, and your final result will turn out like you wanted.  As you probably have learned by now rhinoplasty is one of the more difficult procedures for a surgeon to master. same.  In my practice we offer computer imaging to our prospective rhinoplasty patients, so that the goals and aspirations of the patients can be... more
Boris M. Ackerman, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
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