I feel like my nostrils seem larger after rhinoplasty and nose looks wider when I smile. Is there a way to fix this? (Photo)

The postoperative time for most rhinoplasty patients is
often fraught with anxiety. During a rhinoplasty, the skin and soft tissues are
often completely separated from the underlying bone and cartilage framework.
The framework is modified and the skin is laid back down. These are big
movements that are often intended to create millimeter changes to the shape of
the nose once it heals. After a rhinoplasty the nose swells from the trauma of
surgery and the tissues become edematous. This makes the normally pliable skin
firm and causes the nose to take on a “weird” appearance in the first few weeks
after surgery. The nose continues to settle over the next few months as the
edema finally escapes and the soft tissues adapt to their new underlying
framework. It will take 6 months to a year to see a final result. Close
follow-up with the surgeon is essential. Assuming there is no infection,
patients should allow at least 6 months for the swelling to resolve and the
tissues to soften before contemplating any changes. At that point, a detailed
exam and discussion will help delineate the best treatment option.

Swelling after surgery of the nose could take months until it resolves. I would recommend waiting a minimum of 6 months before making any decisions regarding another surgery. Also, pre-operative photos from a worm's eye view are necessary to judge if your nostrils are truly wider. Please communicate your concerns with your surgeon first. Best of luck.

Thank you for your question and photos but you are still very early post op to judge your final result so try to be patient but communicate your concerns to your surgeon.Dr. Corbin

As stated by the other surgeons below it is important to have patience during this recovery time. Rhinoplasty surgery takes time to heal and some patients will see signs of asymmetry etc.. that are only apparent due to the swelling that is still persistent in the tissues. Allow the swelling to completely dissipate over the next six months to a year and then you can reevaluate your situation. In the interim see your surgeon frequently to make sure your concerns are answered. He or she knows best where you are in the recovery phase, what your expectations were and what their desired result for you was. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.

6 weeks is very early to make any judgements.  Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure performed in a very small space.  After surgery, the tissues swell and, as you can imagine, there is not a lot of room for swelling.  The look may be uneven during the first few weeks or months.  Give it time; speak with your surgeon.  In a couple of months, reevaluate it and plan from there.