6 months post rhinoplasty. White spot present from graft pressure - Will this eventually fade? (photos)

Question

I have gotten a rhinoplasty done 6 months ago. At first I noticed a red spot on the horn/side tip of my nose where the end of the cartilage graft is. I asked my surgeon and he said the cartilage will eventually round out and it will go away. Now it’s a very white spot. Was he being honest with me?

Thomas Spalla, MD · Answer

The left tip of your nose appears to have some prominent cartilage causing that change. It would be helpful to know more about the indications for surgery and the type and technique for the cartilage grafting to guide you better. That being said, if you aren't being troubled by it in terms of pain or redness and can wait it out another 6 months, this is what I'd recommend. If the appearance is just too unacceptable for you or if pain/redness is present, discuss revision with your surgeon.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

You appear to have a swollen nasal appearance on front view, and we can see discoloration of your left nasal tip. How does that white spot feel? If it feels like a firm, pointy edge of cartilage, that may become more evident as your nose continues to heal. If it feels like the rest of your tip, it may be related to swelling. Please consider re-asking your question in a few months when your nose is less swollen. Hope this will help. Dr Joseph

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

If you eventually have a revision, revision time is a good time to re-assess anything that might be bothering you about the nose, in addition to the graft bump. To my eye, even without that little bump, your tip looks wide-ish to me. And the nose looks a bit long. Now, of course, you might disagree entirely, and you're the boss, but I'd explore narrowing the tip further and elevating the tip a bit as well.
How *much* to elevate the tip, or deproject the nose, or make other changes? We figure that out with morphs, well before surgery. I'd love for you to see some excellent professionally-designed morphs of what could possibly be done with your nose. Morphs could also help you identify better just what's bothering you, and help you set a goal for the rhinoplasty that's accurate for your tastes. Profile and three-quarter views would be particularly important in morphing your nose. (Side note: in my opinion, morphs should really be done by the surgeon, or he should direct an assistant as she makes the morphs. Morphs should be made with a constant eye to what actually *can* be done in surgery, for that particular nose, and the surgeon has that information and judgment best.)

I'd love for you to see some excellent morphs of what could possibly be done with your nose. It might make you feel better about the possibilities. Morphs help you plan your ideal goal, and help the surgeon understand what you need in order to be happy, and correlate that with what he thinks is possible in his hands.
Remember that rhinoplasty is an exquisitely difficult operation to get right, and you should only have surgery if you are able to make yourself very confident in your surgeon's skills. The changes that your nose needs require advanced techniques, and skill that most plastic surgeons don't possess with expertise. For most noses, it's much better to not have surgery than to have inexpertly-performed surgery. Read my essay on how to stay out of trouble while selecting a rhinoplasty surgeon. And for those who have had previous surgery, it also discusses how to tell whether your first surgeon should be performing your revision. And it also discusses how to take photos that are best for online evaluations.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

You may try massage as your surgeon suggested, but be very observant. If this issue does not resolve within few months, small procedure in local anesthesia may be appropriate treatment. Good luck.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Overall you have a nice result. Occasionally a tip graft will be one noticeable. I would wait it out at least one full year. If it still bothers you the graft can always be removed.

6 months post rhinoplasty. White spot present from graft pressure - Will this eventually fade? (photos)

Answers (10)

Answer: Visible cartilage graft

Answer: Visible cartilage graft

Answer: Rhinoplasty

Answer: Rhinoplasty

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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6 months post rhinoplasty. White spot present from graft pressure - Will this eventually fade? (photos)

Answers (10)

Answer: Visible cartilage graft

Answer: Visible cartilage graft

Answer: Rhinoplasty

Answer: Rhinoplasty

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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.