Can taping the nose after Rhinoplasty affect the shape?

Question

It's only been 3 weeks since my rhinoplasty. i tape my nose every night as instructed by my doc, and all day on most days. My doc told me to leave the tip exposed. I do as told, but i am noticing that the tip is kinda pointy and turned up. I did bring this to his attention, and asked if i should cover the tip as well. He told me not to cover the tip. Don't wanna seem paranoid but still kinda worry if leaving the tip out would make it pointy and turned up. The tape leaves a line on the tip too.

David W. Rodwell III, MD · Answer

First, confirm with your surgeon that you are applying the tape as intended.In general, the point of taping is to help the skin mimic the structural changes that were done underneath the surface.  You want to allow those changes to show while keeping swelling and any potential scar tissue formation under the skin surface to a minimum.In rhinoplasty surgery there is almost never any change to the skin of the nose itself.  Instead the structural support underneath (the cartilage and bone) is altered.  You want the skin to redrape and show those changes.  In contrast, the tape is not intended to alter rotation or projection of the tip.Leaving some of the tip exposed and taping the other areas like you have been doing is the standard way of applying the tape.  It's more about getting pressure on the skin in certain areas and maintaining good blood flow in others.  Leaving the tip exposed won't give you more rotation, but just check with your surgeon to make sure you are not putting to much upward "pull" on the piece of tape that loops around the infratip area (the part that is in the middle just below the tip and above the edge of the nostrils when viewed from below).Good luck to you!And remember -- 3 weeks is early.  It's very common for a nose to "settle" in the first few weeks to months after a rhinoplasty leading to a little bit less rotation.

Michael Elam, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear Lereve1234, Personally I do not have my patients tape their nose after splint removal. I remove the splint at seven days post surgery and then give instructions for nasal exercises I prefer to taping. Some surgeons do have their patients tape and it is a personal choice of each surgeon. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon and follow his/her post operative directions. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.

Can taping the nose after Rhinoplasty affect the shape?

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Can taping the nose after Rhinoplasty affect the shape?

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.