Will my Nose Fill out Permanantly After the Cast?

Question

I am 6 days Rhinoplasty post-op. I had the hump removed, nose straightened, narrowed and pinched slightly at bottom. I had the cast taken off and re applied today and the doctor let me see my nose in-between procedures.  I was taken aback by how narrow it looked! I asked him if it would fill out and he said yes. However, I am not sure if he meant about the swelling that will occur, or fill out for good when he takes cast off for good. Please help, I'm confused. I don't want to look like Latoya Jackson.

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hi LaTonya,
Don't worry.  It is normal for the nose to appear "narrow" when the cast is first removed.  The nose under the splint has had pressure on it while the areas outside of the splint have increased swelling.
Once the splint is removed, it only takes a few hours for the swelling to even out.  Good luck and enjoy your new nose.
Dr. P

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

With any surgery, especially rhinoplasty, you really have to be patient and give it some time.  You can look in the mirror, but don't drive yourself crazy.  There are going to be changes as the tissues settle and the swelling resolves.  Give it several months before even thinking about getting worried.  Good luck.

Mark Beaty, MD · Answer

Significant post operative swelling is expected at one week following rhinoplasty. Once the splint is removed for good the swelling will dissipate gradually over the nose and midface. During this process there may be areas which appear slightly asymmetric or out of balance. I advise my patients prior to surgery of this and they expect to begin seeing the true result of the procedure after a few weeks.

	Remember also that complete resolution of swelling post-rhinoplasty can take 6 to 12 months, though the majority should resolve in the first month or so. In addition, many patients need a little time to adjust to the altered appearance of their nose so I would not worry too much about a brief glimpse during a splint change.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Everyone is very swollen a week after rhinoplasty. I'm not sure why your nose looks too "narrow" . Do you mean that too much bump might have been removed, or does your nose look too narrow when you look straight in the mirror?
Feel free to post / email me a photo, and I'll be happy to give you my thoughts.
Best regards.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Often times the bridge can look comparitively small because the tip is swollen in the early post-operative period. As the cast is removed and the swelling subsides the proportions will improve and not look so drastic.

Will my Nose Fill out Permanantly After the Cast?

Answers (8)

Answer: Swelling will continue to subside after your rhinoplasty.

Answer: Swelling will continue to subside after your rhinoplasty.

Answer: Early postoperative rhinoplasty (nose job) changes can be dramatic

Answer: Early postoperative rhinoplasty (nose job) changes can be dramatic

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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Will my Nose Fill out Permanantly After the Cast?

Answers (8)

Answer: Swelling will continue to subside after your rhinoplasty.

Answer: Swelling will continue to subside after your rhinoplasty.

Answer: Early postoperative rhinoplasty (nose job) changes can be dramatic

Answer: Early postoperative rhinoplasty (nose job) changes can be dramatic

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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.