Why does my columella look like this? (Photo)

You have a hanging columella because the cartilage above it is too long. It can be trimmed back. The other possibility is that there is a cartilage graft that makes it feel hard. If so the graft can be removed snd the septum shortened

Hello and thank you for your question and pictures. I can see what you're talking about but it's hard to fully tell based on these pictures and the swelling. Typically it takes up to 1-2 years for all the swelling to fully resolve, so by NOW you should have a better idea of what the final result will look like. If you are still unhappy with the appearance of your nose/columella, you might need a revision rhinoplasty to properly correct your issue and to solidly reinforce the entire underlying framework to assure you get the BEST long term results (to prevent distortion and retraction from scarring forces over time).

Revision rhinoplasty is truly a surgery of millimeters- they are the most technically challenging procedures in all of plastic surgery! Because your nose is the DEFINING feature of your face- I would only recommend seeing a surgeon who specializes in revision rhinoplasty procedures, and who has significant training and experience performing these surgeries. I actually trained under one of the world leading revision rhinoplasty experts (who performs 1,000+ nosejobs annually).

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your nose, I recommend for you to setup a formal consultation with me (or another plastic surgeon who is extremely comfortable with revision rhinoplasties) to thoroughly discuss your surgical goals, undergo a formal examination, evaluate your options, and develop a personalized plan just for you. I hope this helps!

Dr. Donald Groves
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Based on the area you circled, I do not believe that you have a hanging columella or other significant abnormality. It is typical for the base of somebody's nose to remain firm, and sometimes, surgeons use cartilage grafting in the tip and this can cause firmness at the base of the nose, since I think you have a reasonable result, please consider getting a second opinion from another local reputable rhinoplasty specialist near you. I hope this helps, and thanks again for this question. Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Hello! Thank you for your question.As far as I can see from your photo your columella looks quite normal, you have just had the operation, for the full result, it takes 1.5 years for your nose to heal completely according to your skin type.
Best regards!

To make an accurate assessment regarding the outcome of a plastic surgery procedure, we generally always need to see proper before and after pictures. If you don’t have before, and after pictures and ask your surgeon to forward the pictures they took. We generally do not make assessments with facial expressions. Patients should hold neutral facial expressions, not contracting, muscles or facial expression during before or after pictures. Pictures should also be taken at the correct angles.
If a rhinoplasty surgery includes raising the tip of the nose, then the columella will proportionately sit lower. If someone has it low hanging columella, then this can be addressed by raising it either during the procedure or as a revision procedure after the main rhinoplasty.
without seeing before, and after pictures, we can’t really address the outcome of your procedure. Based on the pictures you’ve included, I don’t think your columella represents something that requires surgical intervention.
Follow up with your provider and discuss your concerns with him or her.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD