Upturned Nose - 4 Days After Surgery? (photo)

Question

I had a rhinoplasty on 8th March so today is the 4th day after surgery. I know that the nose is very swollen but it seems to be very upturned...and nostrils haven't the same dimension (but it is visible that this is due to the swelling). I'm just a bit nervous...is it possible that the upturned nose is due to band-aid and to stitches? Will the tip drop? Thanks in advance.

Paul S. Nassif, MD · Answer

It is not abnormal for the nose to be turned up following rhinoplasty surgery. In general, the tip will relax to its final position within 2 weeks following your procedure. I would recommend communicating any immediate post-operative concerns to your surgeon, as they know the extent of your procedure and exactly what was performed. I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck.

Donald B. Yoo, MD, FACS · Answer

A combination of the tape and the swelling immediately after rhinoplasty will cause the tip of your nose to appear excessively rotated in the early post-operative period.  With time, as the swelling resolves, the tip of your nose should descend.

Thomas Buonassisi, MD · Answer

You can expect your nose to be pulled upward by the tapes and splint. Once they are removed the tip will start to come back down again. No need for concern at this point.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

At this point, the splint can cause distortion as well as swelling.  I would not be assessing anything at this point.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Ritu Chopra, MD · Answer

The splint, tape, sutures (inside) and edema (swelling) all make the nose seem upturned.  Even when the splint is first removed, the nose will look upturned.  It takes a week after the splint is off to drop a little and will drop more for weeks and months.  This is a time for blind faith.  If you did your research and chose a good surgeon and had good pre-op visits to be sure you are on the same page, you should have nothing to worry about.  For now, ice, ice ice (if that's what your surgeon recommends).

Upturned Nose - 4 Days After Surgery? (photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Nose Upturned with Splint

Answer: Nose Upturned with Splint

Answer: 4 days is super swollen.

Answer: 4 days is super swollen.

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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Upturned Nose - 4 Days After Surgery? (photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Nose Upturned with Splint

Answer: Nose Upturned with Splint

Answer: 4 days is super swollen.

Answer: 4 days is super swollen.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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