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.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

You definitely still have swelling of your nose 2 months following rhinoplasty. Please be patient and allow the swelling to subside prior to making any judgements.

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

Thank you for the question and photos but withit an examinaqtion and review of your records it is hard to say what is going on.  So see your surgeon and relate to him your cooncerns.Dr. Corbin

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

I underestand your concern but just 2 months after rhinoplasty surgery it is impossible to evaluate your results. Wait another 6 months but share your thoughts with your surgeon and continue to follow-up with him.

Michael Elam, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear Mergimrrustolli, You still have swelling at two months post op and this will dissipate over the coming months. When a dorsal hump is removed if osteotomies are not performed then this will give the nose a wider flatter appearance. Whether this applies to your current concerns is something you can discuss with your surgeon. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.

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

Answers (9)

More Rhinoplasty Questions

Are functional Rhinoplasties covered by IL Medicaid -- specifically, an internal valve collapse caused by prior septoplasties?

How to fix my pointy nose when I smile ? (photos)

Making nostrils and nose tip smaller? (Photo)

Is it possible to have a glabella reduction?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS