I Am 9 Days Post Rhinoplasty and the Right Nostril is More Swollen Than the Left Side. Will It Go Down?

Question

I had septo-rhinoplasty with an overprojecting asymmetrical tip. Because my tip was asymmetrical, a cartilage graft to the tip of the domes was used to get a more symmetrical look. The inside of my right nostril is more swollen than the left (I can see some white flesh/tissue- well, the surgeon said it is swelling. Due to this, from the outside the (more) swollen right nostril makes the nose/nostrils look(s) asymmetrical. Will this go down and become more symmetrical with time?

Ronald Schuster, MD · Answer

From your description it is probably just swelling. Your surgeon will be the best judge. Trust him/her.

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

Hello,

	Thank you for the question.  Swelling early on after a rhinoplasty can be pronounced and sometimes asymmetric.  Swelling inevitably improves with time.  Asymmetry secondary to swelling will go away.

	All the best,

	Dr. Remus Repta

Steven Schuster, MD, FACS · Answer

As the other Dr. Schuster said, you are far too early to even tell. There is still much swelling present. Even if there is some asymmetry I certainly would not consider trying to fix this at nine days. You can ask the surgeon, but if the nose looked symmetric to him at the time of surgery's completion, I am pretty sure it will look close to that in the end. Be patient. Dr. Schuster in Boca Raton

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  It is very common to have the asymmetry that you describe as early as 9 days after rhinoplasty.  Be sure to see your plastic surgeon and follow his or her advice.

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

At 9 days after rhinoplasty surgery the swelling in both nostrils will decrease. The asymmetry that disturbs you will change as healing progresses. Hopefully you will achieve the result you want.

I Am 9 Days Post Rhinoplasty and the Right Nostril is More Swollen Than the Left Side. Will It Go Down?

Answers (5)