Upturned nose tip after rhinoplasty, advice? It's been nearly 2 weeks since I had septorhinoplasty. (photos)

Hi there. 
In every rhinoplasty, supportive ligaments are released in order to gain access to the various parts of the nose. As a result, if the tip is unsupported at the end of the operation, it runs the risk of dropping in the months and years following surgery. Therefore, many surgeons will support the tip, with or without grafts, in a slightly rotated position. Given it's only 2 weeks after surgery, I would definitely allow more time for swelling to subside and healing to take place. 
All the very best.
Dr Ray Goh
Valley Plastic Surgery

Thanks for the question and photos.  You hit the nail on the head. You are still very swollen. In the next two months you should see some significant improvement. Patience is the hardest thing about a rhinoplasty. Your initial results look good. Keep in touch with your surgeon, so he can help you through this.Good Luck.

It's still too soon to tell what your final results will be. You need to have patience with your body as it begins to heal. The skin, bone and cartilage are all traumatized during surgery. Inflammation (swelling) is the normal response and will help your nose to heal and look beautiful in the end. If, one year from now, you are unhappy with your nose, then that is the time to think about a revision procedure. Right now, concentrate on other things you like to do and let your nose and under eyes take the time to heal. I hope this helps.

You have to give yourself some more healing time.  Your nose and surrounding areas are going to be swollen for a while and you should be consulting the surgeon that performed the procedure but give yourself some time before going back in so some of it can subside. It can take up to a year for final results.
Sincerely,
Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS Double Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

I agree with your assessment. However, as you say yourself, it takes a long time for swelling to resolve and healing to complete with any rhinoplasty. Often the tip is taped up during the first week while the nose is splinted.  In most cases this is a temporary phenomenon and the tip will drop gradually with time.  By 6 weeks following the surgery you should have a better idea of where your rhinoplasty result is heading but even at that time the healing process will only be 60-80% complete.  Try to be patient and if you are very concerned, discuss it with your surgeon. Good luck.

Thanks for sending your photos and question.   The nasal tip is often swollen and over rotated due to swelling of the tip and the upper lip early post rhinoplasty surgery.  The nasal tip will change significantly for months. In general the tip will drop slightly over the first few months post rhinoplasty surgery. . 

Thank you for your question- let me just reassure you that all that you are hearing is correct- swelling after surgery makes the nose look more tipped up, two weeks is early, things look great from your images-Keep in close contact with your surgeon and be patient.

Hi Myra,
I understand your concerns but it is well known that the projection of your nose will drop by 2 mm and you are still very swollen. The swelling will significantly improve after 6 weeks and will not completely go down for 12-18 months
Stay in touch with your surgeon who can re-assure you, I take intra-operative photography for my patients so they can visualise the likely result during the early post operative extreme swelling phase.

Hi myraluxur,It is really common for the nose to have too much rotation right after the surgery. This is usually a good thing since noses will often drop a few degrees postoperatively. I also believe that the post surgery swelling will also rotation the nose due to tension on the skin envelope. Please discuss with your particular surgeon who can shed more light on your particular situation.Have a nice day.Michael M. Kim, MD

Rhinoplasty is one of the most complicated cosmetic procedures. This is because modifications made in the operating room do not translate into final results for 9-12 months.  Many rhinoplasties will result in a temporary "upturned" appearance.  This often improves dramatically within the first 2 months.  As always, it is important to communicate your concerns to your surgeon to get a better estimate of your final result.