Can swelling hide results of an alarplasty?

It might be swelling or it is possible the surgeon was conservative in the nostril reduction.  You should wait for all the swelling to subside.  The surgeon can always go back and reduce the nostril further if needed and this can be done under local anesthesia in about thirty minutes.  I’ve had to do this a few times.

You have to give yourself some more healing time.  Your nose and surrounding areas are going to be swollen for a while and you should be consulting the surgeon that performed the procedure but give yourself some time before going back in so some of it can subside. It can take up to a year for final results.
Sincerely,
Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS Double Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  At one month, you are still swollen.  Hopefully, this will show significant improvement in the coming months.   I recommend
that you maintain close follow-up with your surgeon who
can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon