1.5 years post op, do I have Polly beak deformity or just swelling? Options? (photos)

Question

It’s been 1.5 years since my septic-rhinoplasty and I’ve been waiting for a while now for my top swelling to go down. I understand I have thick skin and it will take a while for my tip to go down especially but it the supra tip is making my tip look big while my bridge is low so it looks weird. But I don’t know if this is a c complication or just swelling. I think it’s swelling or scar tissue because when I press down it’s pretty squishy still. It’s worse when I smile and the tip drops.

Donald Groves, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. After rhinoplasty (nasal surgery), the nose can become REALLY swollen, particularly around the tip, and this swelling can take a LONG TIME to resolve (up to 2 years to fully resolve). I would recommend that you continue to observe things for now. Steroid injections can help with the swelling in some areas, such as the supratip. You are still only 1.5 years post-op, so ultimately you should still wait to see what your final results will be. I constantly remind all my rhinoplasty patients how important it is to be patient after rhinoplasty surgery as it can take up to 2 years to see what the final nose will look like. I hope this helps! 
Best Wishes, 
Dr. Donald Groves 
Plastic Surgeon

Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS · Answer

Your supratip swelling interferes with the aesthetic result but I Would not characterize the appearance as a Polly beak deformity which also implies inadequate tip support.  However , at this long after surgery it is likely to be scar tissue that will not resolve. A series of steroid injections can sometimes help but it is likely you will need a revision surgery for an optimal outcome

1.5 years post op, do I have Polly beak deformity or just swelling? Options? (photos)

Answers (2)