Nose still looks big from the side 3 weeks after rhinoplasty . Could this just be the swelling?

It's best to realize every nose heals differently.   It's important to be patient.   Your nose will heal over months.  You likely will have good days and bad days.  Over time your nose will get better and swelling will Subside.  Your surgeon should see you over the year of healing and advise you.   I hope this helps. 

It is far too early to assess the final appearance of your nose, as it will continue to change for up to a year.  You will start to see results by 4-6 weeks.  Relay your concerns to your surgeon and he or she will develop a plan specifically for you.  Try to be patient and I'm sure you will obtain the results your are hoping to achieve.  Best wishes!

After a rhinoplasty, the nose can look big in places where ressection of bone or cartilage has been performed. This can be explained by the swelling, but also there is presence of scar tissue, which can have a volume that can distort and make parts of the nose look bigger. It will take time to look like the final result, often one year after the operation. Sometimes the scar tissue can be injected with triamcinolone at low doses to decrease the rate of scar formation. 

At 3 weeks postop, you likely have diffuse swelling throughout the nose. This is expected and completely normal. The swelling will continue to subside over the coming weeks to months. Be patient during this process and allow the swelling to come down before focusing on certain asymmetries present on your nose. Be sure to follow up with your rhinoplasty surgeon during this time so they can monitor your nose for any changes and address any concerns you have along the way. 

Have patience, and follow up with your Plastic Surgeon.  It takes weeks to months for the nose to heal.  You may not see the final result until one year.  Best wishes for an excellent recovery!