How Long Does Skin Reshaping Last After Rhinoplasty?

Hi Cleveland,

With thick, young skin it may take a few years for your nose to settle.  It does take time so be patient and eventually your skin will drape better.  Good luck and be well.

Dr. P

The skin redraping process takes at least a year (even longer with thicker skin or revision cases). I will sometimes have my patients do exercises to help stretch the skin over the bridge to help things along, but it does take time.

Revision rhinoplasty is a long term healing process. I would discuss your concerns with your surgeon. I frequently inject a small amount of a dilute steroid into the nose in revision rhinoplasty patients since this will help some of the swelling go down and help prevent scarring in the area. More than likely, the skin will normalize over time.

Andrew C. Campbell, M.D.

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
 

Hi Cleveland3286 in Cleveland, OH,

6 months is still relatively early after revision rhinoplasty surgery. The skin continues to shrink and tighten slowly over time.

Thick skin patients more likely develop scar tissue after rhinoplasty, as compared to thin skin patients. Thick skin may also require removal of some extra soft, fibrofatty tissue deep under the skin during surgery, effectively "thinning" the skin. Lastly, steroid injection after surgery help reduce swelling and scarring to further refine the nose.

The "final" rhinoplasty results for thick skin patient is typically farther out from surgery as compared to thin skin patient. Only after a comprehensive evaluation can a rhinoplasty surgeon help determine appropriate options for you. Best of luck.

Dr. Chaboki

The final shape and appearance of the nose following rhinoplasty is not fully determined until at least one year after surgery.  Even after one year, the nasal appearance will continue to mature over time.  In your situation, the "skin soft tissue envelope" will take some time to settle.  The "shrink wrap effect" of scar tissue formation under the skin will take upwards of a year.  Good Luck, Dr. Corrado

After a revision rhinoplasty, which you state you had 6 months ago, often times it will take up to 1 year to see your final results.  The shadowing and asymmetry that you describe may or may not be attributed to swelling.  It may also be a result of scar tissue formation or irregularity of the underlying tissues.  I would encourage you to see your operating surgeon to be evaluated.  Good luck!

Hi Cleveland3286-

Skin re-draping is one part of the overall healing process after rhinoplasty. Generally speaking 90% of the swelling/healing is done at about three months with the nasal tip and nasal bone areas taking up to twelve months. Swelling after revision rhinoplasty can take even longer than this. As you mentioned, swelling in thick skin also takes longer to resolve than thin skin. You have both thick skin and a revision surgery so I would anticipate swelling may last 18- 24 months.

While the swelling is resolving your surgeon will most likely want to follow your healing process to be sure things are healing appropriately.

Keep in touch with your surgeon.

Kind regards,

Tom Kaniff

As you can see, there are varied answers depending on the surgeon. Time will depend on whether an open or endonasal approach was performed. I perform only open approach, therefore, I tell my patients that skin re-contouring may take 6-12 months. After 8 weeks, I have my patients perform gentle massage which aids in lymphatic drainage. Regarding this particular case, there is an excellent chance of the skin re-draping over the next 6 months. In light of the thicker skin and a revision rhinoplasty, I expect swelling to resolve over a longer period of time than normal.

Believe it or not, it may take up to 2 years for final result to manifest.  I am not exactly sure about the skin in this case, but at least a year.  Your doctor should examine you to give you the best idea, as you do not provide pics.

 

sek

Edema is quite common and can last for 6 months to a year and sometimes longer. Give it some more time.