My nasal bones are wider after rhinoplasty. Is this common, and if so, what causes it?

Question

I had an open rhinoplasty preformed three weeks ago. One of the things that my surgeon, did was bring the nasal bones closer together towards to top of my bridge. When he first took the splint off, it looked amazing, even though I was swollen. Now it has been two weeks since the splint has been removed, and the nasal bones on my bridge look like a bit wider than they did after the splint was first removed. Is this common, or possible? And if so, what causes this? Thank you.

Shahram Shahidi, BSc, MBBS, FRACS · Answer

As you are only 3 weeks
post op. It sounds like your nose is swollen. Swelling can take many months to
subside and swelling does make the nose appear bigger. It is best to see your
surgeon and see if he will suggest tapping your nose?

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

At three weeks you are likely still very swollen. At this point you need to give it time to heal. This can take 6 months to a year.

John Zannis, MD · Answer

Unless your surgeon performed an osteotomy intentionally widening the bones, you are probablu experiencing some swelling of the upper vault.  This should improve with time.  See your doctor for an exam to be certain.

Stephan Finical, MD · Answer

The splint you were wearing not only held the bones in place, but kept swelling out of that compresswed part of the nose. With the splint off, and your activity level increasing, you probasbly have more swelling in the nose. The bones are unlikely to separate, but to be safe, check in with your surgeon.

My nasal bones are wider after rhinoplasty. Is this common, and if so, what causes it?

Answers (4)

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