What are the stages for rhinoplasty swelling? When can I expect results from my original nose?

Question

I am 13 days post op from an ethnic rhinoplasty and I really only see a slight difference in my nose despite having a lot of work done : osteotomy, ear cartilage to the tip, alarplasty. Most of the 2 week post op pics I see of others show at least a 50% change from their original nose at this stage while I only see a 10% change. The other patients that had surgery around the same time are enjoying their new nose. This is depressing. My surgeon is out of the country says be patient.

Philip Solomon, MD, FRCS · Answer

Its far to early to assess your final result from rhinoplasty.  If you had a lot of work done and you required cartilage grafting it can take months to see  tip definition.  See your surgeon frequently if you  need reassurance.

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thank you very much for enquire.

It's too early to make value judgments with only 2 weeks after a rhinoplasty.Swelling after a rhinoplasty depends of the surgery complexity.In this regard, the nasal swelling Post-op It can last from two weeks to two months.To reduce this swelling, I recommend you perform delicates daily lymphatic drainage massage therapy over the face (around the nose) avoid sun exposure, and take pain/inflamation pills, as your surgeron precribe you.Kind regards, Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Laxmeesh Mike Nayak, MD · Answer

As you have experienced, changes occur over the course of rhinoplasty healing. At first, the nose looks too "fat" and too "up," especially at the tip. Most of the dropping happens early, but there can still be significant changes over the full year and beyond.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

You wil have maximall swelling for several weeks. Over the next few months the swelling will gradually improve but may last up to a year or longer in some.

Jeffrey Watson, MD · Answer

I educate my patients that swelling is inevitable up front and that it takes 3 months for 85% to leave. The last 15% takes a full year to leave. Everyone's time table is different and other factors including number of grafts, skin thickness, and degree of change in the nose all affect how long the swelling takes to leave. Hope that helps!

What are the stages for rhinoplasty swelling? When can I expect results from my original nose?

Answers (5)