How Long Does Post Op Swelling Last?

After rhinoplasty some swelling is normal as this is the way the bod naturally heals. Most of the swelling goes over the first 2-weeks however much more will go over the first 6-weeks, there can then be some fluctuation in swelling for a period of months, the final result is 12-months.1-week: When the cast is removed after one week, the nose will look swollen, particularly the tip of the nose and some swelling along the bridge of the nose.2-weeks: By the end of two weeks commonly 80% of the swelling has resolved, however there will still be swelling particularly in the tip of the nose and this will mask the fine detail at the nasal tip.6-weeks: Most of the swelling has gone down, there can be fluctuations in swelling on a day by day basis6-52 weeks: Gradual resolution of the swelling, that results in more definition being seen in the tip of the nose and nasal bridge.There is a degree of swelling after rhinoplasty that is dependent on your ethnicity, genetics, environmental factors, and surgical factors including if the surgery included nasal tip surgery, nasal hump reduction and revision rhinoplasty.There are surgical techniques that Dr. De Silva utilises to reduce swelling including the use of electrocautery, 3D telescopes and micro burrs. In addition there are measures that can be taken to reduce swelling after surgery including applying ice to the bridge of the nose for the 3-days, applying compression to the nasal bridge and tip after surgery.

Hi,

  You must be prepared to wait a year for the final result although you will see much more detail earlier than this.

  The nasal tip is the final part of the swelling to be defined.  In most cases, patients are able to get a good judgement of the upcoming results at 6 months or so and sometimes earlier.  Each patient is different in their absorption of swelling but the generalizations here are usually quite accurate.

                Steven M. Lynch, M.D.  Albany, New York