Columella swollen or botched? Will this go away? (Photo)

Question

I am 6 months post rhino revision and I am worried about how protruding my colmella is. Will this go away?

Andrew Miller, MD · Answer

While your nose is projected well, there does appear to be a little fullness of the columellar. I always have patients wait a full year for any swelling to go down. If it doesn't, a minor revision may improve things so be sure to discuss it with your surgeon.

Randal Haworth, MD, FACS · Answer

At 6 months post rhinoplasty revision, some swelling and changes in the appearance of your columella (the tissue that separates your nostrils) are still to be expected. It's common for the columella to appear more prominent or protruding during the early stages of healing.

Swelling after rhinoplasty can take several months to fully resolve, and the final results of your revision surgery may not be evident until the swelling has subsided completely. The healing process is unique to each individual, and it's important to be patient and give your body ample time to recover.

It's also worth noting that the appearance of the columella can be influenced by factors such as your skin type, anatomical structure, and surgical technique. In some cases, additional refinement or revision may be necessary to achieve the desired outcome. However, it's best to consult with your plastic surgeon or ENT specialist, who has firsthand knowledge of your specific case, to evaluate your concerns and provide professional guidance.

During follow-up appointments, your surgeon will assess the progress of your healing and address any concerns you may have. They will be able to provide a better understanding of your individual situation and whether the protrusion of the columella is likely to improve over time or if further intervention may be necessary.

Selcuk Inanli, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question.From the photo you provided it looks like you have what we call ''hanging columella''. This can be corrected only with a revision rhinoplasty surgery.
Best regards!Prof. Dr. Selcuk Inanli

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Hi @ereeen. Thank you for sharing your photo. It's common for the columella to appear more prominent during the early stages of healing. I would recommend waiting a full year before considering another revision rhinoplasty.

Best of luck,

Dr. Nima

Best of luck,

Dr. Nima

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Somebody's nose holds on to swelling for the longest at the nasal base after rhinoplasty surgery. This time can be longer when revision surgery with grafting has been performed, and your columella is at the very bottom of your nose. For a more definitive answer, please consider visiting your surgeon. I hope this is helpful! Sincerely, Dr Joseph

David M. Kowalczyk, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Hello! Thanks for your question. At 6 months, there is still time for swelling to improve. It can often take greater than 12 months in many revision cases. Bumps at the columella could be soft tissue swelling or prominent cartilage if grafts were placed. I often encourage patients to monitor for any changes which may be swelling. Compressions and steroids (carefully done) can help. If after 12 months the area is still present, discuss options with your surgeon to see how improvements can be made. Hope this is useful!

William Portuese, MD · Answer

You have a hanging columella, and will not go away without surgical intervention. Best to wait at least a year to allow full healing before embarking on a revision rhinoplasty. A closed rhinoplasty approach can accomplish trimming back the excess cartilage and skin in that area. All incisions are placed on the inside of the nose.

Columella swollen or botched? Will this go away? (Photo)

Answers (7)

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