I liked my nose better when it was taped. Will it return to that shape again? (Photo)

Swelling is present for several months after an open rhinoplasty.  Be patient and follow up with your surgeon.  If a little additional rasping needs to be done, you can discuss with your surgeon in a few months time.  

Immediately after the case and/or tape is removed, it is common for the nose to look more defined. The nose seems to be most susceptible to swelling during the first 2 weeks following surgery. After the compression has been removed, the skin and soft tissues can swell and this can take weeks to months to significantly improve. Swelling in the nose can take 12 months or longer to resolve so that you can appreciate the final result. At several weeks following rhinoplasty, you are still very early in your recovery. Recovery after rhinoplasty will vary based on the person, characteristics of the nasal tissues and what was done during surgery. Around the 4-6 week mark, most patients are able to appreciate many of the changes from surgery as a significant amount of swelling has resolved. However, it can take somewhere in and around 12-18 months to see the final results. The areas with thicker skin in the nose such as the tip, alar rims and radix will require longer to settle. Also there appears to be a linear decrease in swelling for the first several months followed by a period where the swelling fluctuates (sometimes little or no swelling and other times more swelling) before the nose settles. It's hard but crucial to stay patient during your recovery after rhinoplasty.

The nose can look better taped in the early post-operative period because there is a bit of compression on the skin sleeve.  With time, the skin should relax and become less swollen giving you a more defined nose.  However, scarring is unpredictable so we never really can tell for sure how defined the nose will be.

You are very early post-op form rhinoplasty and there is always swelling.  This can take a year and sometimes longer to subside. Good luck.

The taping keeps some of the edema fluid down.  It just takes time to recover from a rhinoplasty.  Give it at least 6 months before you judge the final result.