3 days post op, the tip of my nose has turned purple all of a sudden. Is this normal? (photo)

Question

I had open rhinoplasty 3 days ago as I had a long, a little bit droopy nose with a sharp tip. My doctor shaved the bone a little bit, shortened the tip of my nose drastically, lifted it up a little bit and made it look rounder. The tip of my nose has turned purple all of a sudden. Is this normal? I have two kinds of stitches in my nose: dissolvable ones inside and normal ones on the columella. My columella looks so round, is it because of swelling? Is it normal to have two kinds of stitches?

Deepak Raj Dugar, MD · Answer

Hello,You are very early in your recovery process and your nose is bleeding and swollen. This is very normal. If the color darkens or your nose begins to hurt then have a post op consultation with your board certified facial plastic surgeon. All the best, Deepak Dugar, MDScarless Rhinoplasty ExpertBeverly Hills, CA 90210

Ali Sajjadian, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question!

It is understandable that you are
concerned. Changes after rhinoplasties vary with every patient and what you are
experiencing is normal especially that swelling takes time to subside as it
masks the results of your surgery. Also, bruising is normal at various degrees after rhinoplasties. As for the suture choices, it is up to the surgeons to chose according to their surgical approach but usually the absorbable ones are placed on the inside as you have mentioned in your post!

It is important to keep in mind that it
is early to pass a judgment. Usually, a year is required before formulating how
your nose will be. Even then, your nose will keep shaping itself and to
complement your face for better results in the years to come.

My best recommendations at the moment
is to be patient, allow nature to take its course and edema subsides for better
results. There is no doubt that once the swelling subsides, more definition and
shape will be achieved and you should be happier with the results.

Also, it is important that you keep
communicating with your surgeon and work as a team together to achieve the best
results possible.

Congratulations on your surgery and
please remain positive!

Ali Sajjadian, MD FACS

Guido P. Gutter, MD · Answer

Hello yenmoomoo, You had surgery just three days ago and bleeding, and swelling are still settling. Swelling of the columella "rounding" the appearance  is expected; Purple color of the nasal tip can occur but if it worsens you may want to call your surgeon for him to check the splint and/or dressing being too tight. Suture choice is usually the surgeons choice. You're right though we often place absorbable ones on the inside and non-absorbable ones on the outside. Follow your surgeons advice to decrease or minimize swelling as much as possible. I think you will have a nice result.

3 days post op, the tip of my nose has turned purple all of a sudden. Is this normal? (photo)

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3 days post op, the tip of my nose has turned purple all of a sudden. Is this normal? (photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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