Do I need an alarplasty? Scarring and swelling. Columella retraction?

Question

I am 34 years old. Caucasian with fair skin. I had a Rhinoplasty 3 months ago. My tip was lifted and refined and my dorsal shaved down. I have an indentation and I would like to know if this is due to swelling, a retracted scar or a retracted Columella? I would also like to know if I should have had an Alarplasty and if so, when is the earliest I could have it done? My tip is still hard. I don’t like the appearance of my nose, the tip still appears quite bulbous and my profile is very projected.

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

You are a good candidate for alarplasty. The minimum time you should wait to get alarplasty is 3 months after your rhinoplasty but the preferred wait time is one year. Your nose will continue to change for a whole year. There is likely some swelling in the tip and will get better over time. 
Regards
Dr. Janjua

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

I agree that an alarplasty would be worthwhile. If your tip seems to stick out to far I would question if there is a cartilage graft there. I don’t think your columella is retracted though it a least bit to a significant degree

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