Why is my nose healing at a super slow rate? (Photo)

Question

I'm concerned about my nose. It's been 5 months since my rhinoplasty & it seems like my nose is healing so slowly! Another concerning issue is that it's like a rollercoaster ride. One week it's bad, the next week it looks much better, then I notice swelling again. Is this normal 5 months post-op?Also- if u look at the picture I posted, the right side is worse than the left side. I had my surgery done overseas so I can't really 'follow-up' with my dr, which is why I need ur help & advice. Thanks!

Ali Sajjadian, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question!

It is understandable that you are
concerned especially with the rate your nose is healing. Changes after rhinoplasties vary with
every patient and what you are experiencing is not uncommon.

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, but longer with a thick skin. Even then, your nose will keep
shaping itself to complement your face for better results in the years to come.

My best recommendation at the moment is
to be patient and allow nature to take its course. There is no doubt that once the swelling resolves, 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 remain positive!

Ali Sajjadian, MD FACS

Elliot M. Heller, MD · Answer

EVERYONE HEALS AT THEIR OWN RATE, IT DOES TAKE SOME TIME TO HEAL FROM A RHINOPLASTY. ANY CONCERNS YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR PLASTIC SURGEON

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

My colleagues have already answered that results after rhinopolasty can take up to a year to settle, & ur swlllng cn 2.Please, you are asking professionals who spent 25+ years of education to learn our skills, but you went for surgery overseas, and can't even have the courtesy to use proper spelling and grammar to ask for free advice!Everybody asking questions on this site has had their surgery elsewhere, and all of us taking the time out of our personal lives to answer questions do so without any sort of pay from any of those asking questions. Yet over and over we hear of patients who decide that surgical tourism is a good idea, but when there are questions or complications or need for revisionary surgery, the surgeons here in the USA and in your metropolitan area weren't "good enough" to perform your surgery, but are suddenly "good enough" to get free advice from. Amazing!Please call your surgeon and ask him or her for answers to your questions. Follow-up is an integral part of every surgery, and I make arrangements to provide this for every one of my patients, even those who travel from other states or countries for surgery with me. I hope you got a really good "deal" if follow-up was somehow NOT included.Monthly hormonal changes, salt intake, even the position you sleep in, can all have an impact on swelling. After a year, your final results will be evident, but before then steroid injections can help to reduce scar tissue (if that is the source of the asymmetry--personal examination is needed to determine if scarring is the reason for more swelling on one side). After that, surgical revision will be necessary to change what you don't like. Please choose your next surgeon carefully. Dr. Tholen

Brian M. Harmych, MD, FACS · Answer

I know 5 months seems like a long time but you’ll need to wait at least a year after your surgery before the swelling will completely subside.  Generally I tell patients 12 months before the nose has settled completely.  I’d take a picture at that time and then compare it to this one now to see if you notice any difference.  However, the only thing you can do at this point is wait and be patient.  Examining it too often will only drive you crazy. Please remember to have regular check-ups with your rhinoplasty surgeon.Good luck!

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

In general, the typical
side effects of rhinoplasty may include the following:

1) Mild pain

2) Congestion

3) Blood tinged discharge for
48-72 hours following surgery

4) Swelling

5) Numbness

The final result of a rhinoplasty
may not be noticeable for up to a year following your surgery. The amount of
time the swelling lingers may be influenced by the following things:

1) Whether or not tip work was
performed

2) The thickness of the patient's
skin

3) If the procedure was open or
closedIt is not unusual for the nose to have "good" and "bad" days and have times where it is more or less swollen.  I would continue to be patient and let your nose heal.

Thanks and I hope this
helps!

Paul M. Steinwald, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question - what you are describing is not unusual, especially if you had open tip work to refine that area (an incision across the bottom of the nose is generally indicative of that).  It is normal to have "waxing and waning" of swelling that you describe, especially if you have been fairly active.  (Can't really comment on one side being "worse" than the others without a full set of frontal, side and oblique photos, but that may also be a natural variation attributable to swelling).You may get some benefit from regular "point-pressure" (clean fingertip) massage for 60 seconds several times a day, especially above the tip area, or gently pinching the tip.  Generally it can take up to a year for tip swelling to fully settle (especially if you have thicker/oilier skin there, which we all have to a degree), so hang in there! You will probably have a very nice final result . . .

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

On average rhinoplasty healing can take up to 1 year before final results are seen. Best to discuss with your chosen surgeon healing time frames.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Swelling might persist for up to a year for most patients,and it will fluctuate with activity. Best of luck with your results.

Why is my nose healing at a super slow rate? (Photo)

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