Supratip swelling or polly beak deformity? (Photo)

Dear Pinksand1At 3 weeks post op, supratip swelling is not unusual. The fact that is resolves with taping is supportive of the likelihood that it is swelling and not scar tissue. At this point be patient. You should follow your surgeons recommendations re taping.

Hello,Your photo could be deceiving, but that doesn't look like swelling. I think your entire tip complex dropped, exposing the end of your septum (the angle). Taping brings the tip back up, and it falls back down after taping. A quick exam would reveal exactly what it is. Go talk to your surgeon or get a quick second opinion. Best of luck!

Pinksand1,        At this early stage of recovery, it is hard to say the exact cause of the swelling.  I will say this is a very common area to have some swelling, and even scar tissue formation post-operatively.  The fact that it improves with taping, is encouraging and suggests it may just be postoperative edema.  Should scar tissue start to fill in the area (a common cause of polly beak), steroid injections to the area would be one option.  Make sure to keep close follow up with your surgeon, as a good exam and palpation are needed to decide on best treatment course.   Good luck with the rest of your recovery.

You have supratip fullness that can be either swelling or cartilage excess. If you are within the first month, it can be swelling; during this time, you can tape down the supratip especially when you sleep in order to avoid scar tissue buildup; it is is firm when you push on it, then it is likely due to cartilage excess and this will require a revision.

Dear pinksand1, The fact that the nose returns straight after the tape is removed is a good sign that this is just post-operative swelling. If you follow up with your surgeon an in office examination would answer your concerns. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.