Is it normal to have uneven nostrils and crooked nose after septoplasty? 1 week post op.

Question

I had a septoplasty last Thursday. I had my apparently one and ONLY post op follow up visit Monday. I was told everything looked good however my nose looks crooked to me and my nostrils look uneven. The deviation was on the right side and that nostril looks fine the left looks widened. I had splints and gel packing. I know it's only 5 days post op but I am nervous that it's permanent. Will my nostrils be even again and my nose less crooked is this normal?

Jon Kurkjian, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. 
With any nasal surgery, the name of the game is patience. At one week, we would expect you to have quite a bit of swelling and bruising still noticeable and may have trouble breathing out of one or both nostrils. By the end of two weeks, typically, you will still be swollen but look more like you have a bad cold, rather than post surgical. Swelling can take up to a year to be completely gone, however, by 9 weeks you will look very good and should see big difference from your pre-op pics.

H. George Brennan, MD, FACS - Account Suspended · Answer

Although not always it is common to have asymmetry after septoplasty.  It could take months for uneven swelling to go down completely.  See your Dr. regularly on your follow up appointments and document change.  Best of luck to you.

Somyos Kunachak, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi JWN860,I know it concerns you but at this point, it is really too early to judge the result of any surgery. Please be more patient, and incase it still bothers you in 6 months, a revision can always be done.

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Is it normal to have uneven nostrils and crooked nose after septoplasty? 1 week post op.

Answers (3)

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