Nose still swollen 15 months post septorhinoplasty, how long can it take to look normal?

Question

Hello, I had a rhinoplasty and septoplasty done 15 months ago. My nose is still quite swollen and while the side view looks good, the front view looks even bigger than before I had the procedure. There have been a few rare days where the swelling seems to be less and I actually start to like it, but most days it is extremely bulbous and large. I do have thick skin, but realistically how long can it take to look normal? Thank you.

David M. Kowalczyk, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Hello! Great question. It can take a period of time for swelling to regress and the new normal to appear. At 15 months and thick skin, you're probably getting close. Everyone is different, though. For tip swelling, nightly taping and steroid injections can help quite a bit. If after 1.5 years it's still very bulbous and swelling doesn't fluctuate, you may need to consider a revision if you want more refinement. Continue to follow-up with your surgeon. Hope this helps!

Selcuk Inanli, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question. As far as I can understand from your question the swelling might be last like 1,5 years after the surgery due to thick skin. Also your diet type affect it. If you can provide photos from front of your face, from the side of your face and 1 meter away I would be able to make a proper evaluation. Best Regards!

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Hard to tell without photos but it sounds like you may have had cartilage grafts placed which could make the nose look thicker. Yours is a common description of how cartilage grafts behave. Revision with removal of unnecesssry grafts is a possibility.

Samuel Lin, MD, FACS · Answer

Great questions. I would check with your rhinoplasty surgeon about the healing phase and potential additional strategies for helping with swelling, and seeing if it is in a particular area...

Angel Castro, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Most rhinoplasties have their final result at 12 months. However, there are patients with thick skin who have to wait 24 months for their final result.

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Nose still swollen 15 months post septorhinoplasty, how long can it take to look normal?

Answers (5)

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