R. Graham Boyce, MD

I would highly doubt that you would have caused any external damage to your post surgical nose by blowing your nose. I suspect that any swelling that you see will be short lived. Best of luck.

Surgeons use the computer imaging systems to discuss ideal surgical goals and express what results are reasonable to expect. It is a communication tool only. All patients should understand that what is created in a computer simulation is not a guarantee of actual surgical results. In your case, it is an improvement from your preoperative photo although you didn't reveal how far out from surgery you are now. Remember that the final results of a rhinoplasty may not be present for a year. Best of luck to you.

Cartilaginous grafts are frequently placed in the lower third of the nose to provide structural support and contour. If you are only 2 weeks post surgery please don't be anxious as the final results are months away. The nasal tip stays swollen longer than any other part of the nose post surgery and the final product has yet to be revealed. Please discuss your concerns with your surgeon but I would not advise another surgery at this early stage. 

The short answer is yes, that is very normal. Because of its positioning on the face the nose is frequently subject to accidental trauma. The inside of our noses just like the mouth is coated with bacteria so placing a foreign implant millimeters away can result in infection and ultimately the need for the implant's removal. Your surgeon was wise to use native cartilage which is much more resistant to the development of infection.

Hello and thank you for your question. Skin thickness alone is not an absolute contraindication for reductive rhinoplasty if you have realistic expectations. The procedure to reduce the nasal skeleton is performed and then the existing skin must shrink to its new smaller more refined size. This takes time and is limited by skin thickness, prolonged swelling and also from the skin's elasticity itself. Based strictly on your photos, you could probably expect some improvement in your nasal appearance but your results may be tempered by those factors.