Is it common for swelling to make it appear as though dorsal hump is still present after rhinoplasty?

Question

I had open rhinoplasty 8 days ago primarily to remove a dorsal hump and fix some of the tip. My tip of my nose is extremely swollen, which I knew would be the case, but it still appears that I have a dorsal hump. My doctor said is should just be 2-3 mm of swelling, but it feels pretty hard and I can't help but think it wasn't entirely removed. Is swelling around the dorsal/bridge extremely common?

Kian Karimi, MD, FACS · Answer

Rhinoplasty swelling post-procedure is to be expected.  I agree there is often at least 1-2 mm of swelling at the area where the dorsal hump was reduced especially just 8 days out from surgery.  I generally have my patients tape their noses every night and perform "nasal exercises", which is simply applying gentle digital pressure to the nasal bones one minute of every waking hour between post-operative week 1 to 3, and this helps the swelling come down more quickly, but please follow your surgeon's post-operative instructions which will be tailored to his or her approach and technique.  Hang in there!  You will see that a lot more swelling will come down this second post-operative week.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

It is just too early.The nose 
can be swollen for up to a year or more.  Swelling will depend upon the 
nature of maneuvers employed, presence of grafts or implants, thickness 
of skin, open vs closed, revision vs primary,  etc.	Kenneth Hughes, MD	Los Angeles, CA

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

It is important to not judge the details of a rhinoplasty for three months after the procedure. At this early point after your rhinoplasty, it would impossible to judge the final profile/shape of the bridge with the entire swelling of the nose that is present.

Kristina Tansavatdi, MD · Answer

Yes, swelling around the bridge is common and more swelling is expected if it was done via an open approach. This swelling may last up to 6 months or more in the bridge area. The skin is thinner here than at your nasal tip and so slight swelling can make it look like the dorsal hump is still there. Your concerns are not uncommon. Follow your surgeon's instructions and keep your follow-up appointments. If there is any concern with persistent dorsal hump your surgeon should be able to address this issue.

Stuart H. Bentkover, MD (retired) · Answer

What you are noticing could just be swelling.  Your surgeon will advise you best when he/she continues to evaluate your nose post op.  You might need to massage the area but done do so without your surgeon agreeing.

Is it common for swelling to make it appear as though dorsal hump is still present after rhinoplasty?

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Answer: Swelling after rhinoplasty

Answer: Swelling after rhinoplasty

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Is it common for swelling to make it appear as though dorsal hump is still present after rhinoplasty?

Answers (5)

Answer: Swelling after rhinoplasty

Answer: Swelling after rhinoplasty

Answer: Too early to tel

Answer: Too early to tel

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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