4 Months Post-op Rhinoplasty Nose Tip Still Bulbous, Could it Still be Swollen?

I hear and read this question alot.  There is a difference between swelling and "shrink wrapping"  The swelling goes a way after 3 months or so.  But, the skin takes a much longer time, a year or two, before it contracts around the underlying cartilages.  That is what takes a very long time.  You may hear and read that the "swelling" can go on for a year, and in some cases, where the nose appears bigger in the am than the pm that is the case, the vast majority of the time it is simply that the nasal skin has yet to maximally contract.  I hope this helps you.  Best, 

Dr. Miller

Good question. It is early enough after your rhinoplasty that this could all still be due to swelling. Try to be patient. It usually takes at least a year before everything normalizes and you reach your final rhinoplasty result. Steroids can sometimes be helpful in the first six months if the nose is very swollen and hard. This is decided by the surgeon on a case by case basis.
-Dr. David Mattos, New York Plastic Surgical Group

The recovery time for rhinoplasty surgery varies from person to person and is also related to many different conditions. I am going to explain this in a systematical approach:
First of all, a nose job shows its final result in 1 year. It sometimes even takes up to 2 years for some patients for their nose to have its final shape post surgery. Typically, you get operated, have your cast removed in 5-7 days and will have your nose swelling start to decline with time. I generally tell my patients that 70% of  swelling will be gone in 1 month, 90% in 3-6 months, 99% in 1 year and 100% in 2 years. However there are some factors contributing to this recovery:
1. Surgery: The technique used and the delicacy the surgeon utilized has a great role in how minimal your swelling will be and how quick your recovery shall be.
2. Skin thickness: The thicker your nasal skin, the longer your swelling takes to go away and hence the longer your recovery period. The thinner your skin is, the shorter this period will be and the quicker you will see your final results.
3. Bleeding: If you have bleeding disorders and/or are operated close to or throughout your menstrual period, you are more prone to swelling and therefore a longer recovery period.
In summary, you will be required to rest for 3-5 days, although you can go out for a coffee to meet friends, have your cast removed in a week after which you can return to your own country (get in a flight) with no trouble. You can start to work immediately after this period in case your job does not imply a risk of trauma to your face.
Hope this helps,Ali Rıza Öreroğlu, MD FEBOPRASEuropean and Turkish Board Certified Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeonIstanbul, Turkey