Will my stiff and hard nose will soften over time? (Photos)

Question

Hi doctors, I am 18 days post septorhinoplasty and I am feeling that my nose is very hard and stiff. I am wanting to know if my nose will soften over time and feel like a normal nose again? I had a netball accident 2 years ago which created a large bump on my nose and deviated my septum, I therefore had a septorhinoplasty performed to remove the bump and straighten my nose as well as removing some cartilage to refine. My ENT doc thinks that the stiffness and hardness can sometimes be indefinite?

Ali Riza Öreroglu, MD · Answer

It is common for a nose to be hard and stiff after a rhinoplasty surgery. 18 days is a very early stage in the healing process, so it is quite normal for your nose to be hard and stiff. The tip is usually last to soften and lose the swelling, so it may take up to a year and sometimes more for your whole nose to feel soft and normal to you. Hope this helps,Ali Rıza Öreroğlu, MD FEBOPRASEuropean and Turkish Board Certified Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeonIstanbul, Turkey

Jeffrey Umansky, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear about your concerns. It is important to remember that at 18 days postoperatively, you are still very early in your healing process. Your nose will continue to heal and change over the next several months. It is far too early to tell whether or not this stiffness will be permanent. I recommend giving yourself some more time to heal and reevaluate this closer to the 6-month postoperative mark. Of course, it is important that you follow up with your surgeon regarding any concerns as he or she is best equipped to advise you in regards to your particular case. Best of luck!

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

Yes, it will soften in time, usually by 6-8 months time.  Swelling from surgical trauma hardens the tip cartilages but this should all resolve.  This is the reason most surgeons wait some time before considering any revisions or touch ups.

Sagar Patel, MD · Answer

yes! Give it time. It actually isn't as firm as you think but since you had the procedure your nerve sensation is altered (your nose likely feels like it was stuck on!) In due time the sensation will come back and it won't feel as hard. It will never feel the exact same but over the course of a year there will be changes every day! Be patient and you'll do great!

Nizar Taki, MD · Answer

Yes, it is perfectly normal for the nose to be hard and stiff after rhinoplasty. It will progressively soften over the first year and feel more normal. Depending on what was done, the final result may still be stiffer than your original nose (because of the added support), but should be softer than what it is now 18 days after surgery.

Will my stiff and hard nose will soften over time? (Photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Nose will soften

Answer: Nose will soften

Answer: Hard nose after rhinoplasty

Answer: Hard nose after rhinoplasty

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Will my stiff and hard nose will soften over time? (Photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Nose will soften

Answer: Nose will soften

Answer: Hard nose after rhinoplasty

Answer: Hard nose after rhinoplasty

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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.