My nose bridge appears wider/more flat after Rhinoplasty. Why? (photos)

Question

I've had a rhinoplasty about 2 month ago. The surgeon did rasp a hump on the right side of my nose, to make my nose look more symmetric. But I'm getting the impression that my nose looks more flat and wide since the surgery, before I had a more prominent nose line. Has this something to do with swelling or when will the nose bridge have it's final shape? The first picture was before surgery (The hump was more prominent from profile) The second when is in current state ( R = that side which got rasped)

Juan Carlos Fuentes, MD · Answer

When there is a hump on the nasal dorsum, the bridge looks narrower, the higher is the hump then the thinnest the bridge looks. When the hump is reduced then that makes the bridge look wider. Imaging that the nasal dorsum is like a cabin roof, if you take the top part off, then the new roof ends being wider. A nasal osteotomy can reduce the width on the nasal dorsum, but there are some limitations on how narrow the bridge can be. Other factors that can make the bridge wider is when spreader grafts are use to avoid a collapse of the middle vault on the nose, or to correct a septal deviation, etc.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,This is a common phenomenon after dorsal hump rasping.  Typically to counteract this effect, the nasal bones are cut and moved closer together. This may or may not have happened to you, but ultimately you appear to have a slightly wider dorsum. If this is displeasing, a minor revision would be necessary to narrow those bones. Typically one should wait a full year.Best of luck!

John M. Hilinski, MD · Answer

It is difficult to say exactly what happened in your case, but in some instances reducing the bridge height without breaking the bones can result in a wider appearance from the frontal view. Perhaps this applies in your case. I recommend you discuss this with your surgeon. Best of luck.

John B. Lazor, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

It appears from the limited photos that the hump was taken down but the nose was not narrowed (osteotomies).  Discuss with your surgeon in follow up

Joo Hyuk Lee, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Whenever we remove something from our body, there grows scar tissue which would fill the vacant space. The doctor could remove the bone but fiberotic and connective tissues tend to grow and sometimes they make more bulky appearance there. The fibrotic tissue is not a permanent tissue so they used to be disappear  with time  so please wait and see about the appearance of your nose. Good luck and have a wonderful day.

My nose bridge appears wider/more flat after Rhinoplasty. Why? (photos)

Answers (9)

Answer: Wider nose

Answer: Wider nose

Answer: Wider bridge after surgery

Answer: Wider bridge after surgery

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

My nose bridge appears wider/more flat after Rhinoplasty. Why? (photos)

Answers (9)

Answer: Wider nose

Answer: Wider nose

Answer: Wider bridge after surgery

Answer: Wider bridge after surgery

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.