Is my Nose Tip Too Round Following Rhinoplasty?

After rhinoplasty, tip shape is typically the last thing to settle before seeing the final result. Depending on both the characteristics of your nose including thickness of the skin and what was technically performed during your surgery, this can take 12 months or longer. During this time you will notice that the size of your tip decreases as swelling resolves and subtle details and tip definition appear. Additionally, you may notice that your tip derotates and deprojects. Most patients should wait at lease 1 year following surgery prior to any revision rhinoplasty to allow all of these changes to settle and for adequate evaluation of the result of the first surgery. Additionally, scar tissue that was created during the first surgery needs time to mature and soften so that the nasal tissues are not tough and friable during the revision procedure. Overall, your nose looks quite attractive from the lateral view and suspect that this will continue to improve as you continue to heal from surgery.

The tip and columella (the strip of tissue between the nostrils) are the most dependent parts of the nose, and therefore, the swelling in these areas lasts the longest. Almost certainly the swelling of the columella will decrease given several more months and the definition of that area should improve. The area above the tip already looks good. The only times to perform revision surgery in less than a year are when there is an obvious persistent bony deformity or if a tip graft suture breaks and it clearly rotates under the skin (which is quite rare). So give it some time and you should see a nice improvement.

Hello,It is still very early in your healing process to say that this is going to be how your nasal tip heals. It usually takes 1-3 years for the swelling to fully go down after a rhinoplasty. The tip takes the longest time to heal and mold to the new framework because it is the thickest skin of the nose. The skin over the profile is thinner than the skin over the tip. Patience is required during this healing phase. The final nose can usually be seen one year post the rhinoplasty. Give it some time and in a couple months if you still don't feel confident consult your doctor.All the best, Deepak Dugar, MDScarless Rhinoplasty ExpertBeverly Hills, CA 90210

Your concern about roundness of your nasal tip is not well seen with your single profile photo. If you have concerns about your nasal appearance that are not seen by your surgeon, consider getting a second opinion from another rhinoplasty specialist.Hope this helps.Dr Joseph

In general, swelling in the tip of your nose generally takes longer to subside than when it occurs in other areas. You should wait at least a year before considering revision rhinoplasty, however in my opinion I don't think you'll need it. Your results look beautiful.

It’s important to
realize that changes occur in the nose for up to a year following rhinoplasty
surgery. This is primarily due to swelling and tends to be more pronounced at
the nasal tip. This swelling takes time to resolve and for this reason,
surgical revision should not be considered for at least a year following
rhinoplasty. With time, your swelling will resolve and your nasal tip will
develop more definition.

















It’s important to
discuss this type of issue with your plastic surgeon. He should be able to
reassure you and alleviate your anxiety regarding this problem.

At four months following rhinoplasty, you still have a considerable amount of swelling in your nose, particularly the nasal tip.  It will take up to a year or more for the swelling to resolve, and you will continue to see small refinements in your nose for up to two years.

Despite that, I think you have a very nice result on your profile picture, particularly for being only four months out. If for some reason you are still unhappy with your results, most rhinoplasty surgeons would only consider doing a revision rhinoplasty after one to two years.

Try to be patient and enjoy your new appearance in the mean time.

Jaime Perez, M.D.

Rhinoplasty Specialist in Tampa, FL

Plastic Surgery Center of Tampa, FL

I know being patient is very difficult but at 4 months post rhinoplasty, your photo shows good early results. I am sure your surgeon told you that a nose can take 12 months to finalize results and sometimes longer. As already answered by other surgeons, the tip is the last to lose swelling. Keep talking to your surgeon and the two of you will resolve this with time.

It is very normal to have nasal tip fullness, swelling, and numbness in this area even after rhinoplasty. It takes 6-12 months to resolve. It also depends on whether the patient has had 1. previous surgery 2. the thickness of the skin and 3. male patients tend to have more and prolonged nasal tip fullness and swelling up to 12 months. The key is to maximize shaping and contouring accurately intraoperatively so that the swelling will resolve over time. Tincture of time and patience is critical to allow for maximal healing and swelling resolution.

Wait before revision, of course, but it appears that the angle between columella and tip is the source of your concern.  This may be a straightforward correction in the office.  If it is the very tip you believe is too round and even after one year it remains so, this is likely partly due to your skin thickness and the anatomy of the underlying cartilages.  A more angular tip may be achieved with a graft, also potentially an office procedure.