15 days post op of Rhinoplasty, the tip of my nose is very swollen, numb, and a bit hardened. Is this normal?

Dear malgorzata93~Thank you for your question. The splint helps to reduce swelling in the early postoperative period, and it is common for the nose to get temporarily more swollen after the splint comes off. Fifteen days is very early in the healing process, and it is much too early to determine your final result as your nose is probably still very swollen from the surgery.After about a month you should start to see the general shape, and the majority of the swelling should resolve gradually over the next several months. It can take a year or longer for swelling to fully resolve after a rhinoplasty, and the tip usually stays swollen and firm the longest.  The numbness should also improve with time as the swelling resolves and the nose heals.If the raised area reduces in size when you press gently, that is a good indication that it is probably related to swelling (rather than underlying bone or cartilage). Rest assured that the swelling should improve with time, and please follow-up with your surgeon with any questions or concerns.Best wishes for your recovery!Sincerely,Amy Hsu

It is always difficult to assess the final result so early in the healing process.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

In general, almost all noses are numb right after a rhinoplasty. In most cases its the tip that is numb, but this numbness can extend down to the upper lip, and in rare cases some of the teeth. There are nerves that are cut and stretched during a rhinoplasty, and it takes a long time for those nerves to start working again. This is true of an open as well as closed rhinoplasty, although it tends to be more extensive in open rhinoplasty. This could also be more extensive if a septoplasty is performed at the same time. This, along with the swelling, gives you a stiff, plastic type feel, and can give you an odd smile. However, the nerves will start working and again, and your nose stiffness will go away with time. As the nerves grow back, you may feel some tingling, itchiness and on occasion pain. This takes in most cases months, but can take years in rare cases. Extremely rarely, the numbness is permanent, although I have never seen such as case.Best Wishes,Pablo Prichard, MD