7 month post op swelling. Will this get better or not? (Photo)

Question

I had a revision rhinoplasty 7 months ago and at first everything was going really well and it wasn’t until last month November that starting noticing my nose getting bigger and bigger every day and now my supratip is a little crooked I don’t know if this is permanent or swelling I had 2 steroid shots already and my nose is still numb on the supratip when I look in the mirror my nose looks straight but when I take pictures it has a small crook on the supratip will this get better or no?

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Hi @jason5! The final results of a revision rhinoplasty can take up to two years. I would discuss taping with your doctor to help with swelling. Best of luck, Dr. Nima!

Gianfranco Frojo, MD · Answer

I would recommend going to see your surgeon or another surgeon to fully evaluate this nose. Something is absolutely happening here, but it is difficult to determine from just two photos. You should see an actual plastic surgeon (trained in plastic surgery residency and ideally aesthetic plastic fellowship) who specializes in rhinoplasty. Best of luck.

Mark K. Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  Although an exam in person is ideal, from your photographs alone it appears that you can benefit from a subtle tip refinement with either modification of your tip cartilage or soft tissue grafting to improve that asymmetry.  Another possible (temporary) option is injection of nasal filler.  Due to your prior rhinoplasty, the cartilage in your septum was likely harvested and so you will likely require MTF (cadaver) cartilage.  The modification of your nasal cartilage can be done with trimming, stitching or grafting.  If your septum is deviated and you have breathing difficulty, a septoplasty may benefit you as well.

Once all the swelling has resolved (in a year to a year and a half), the next step for you is to pursue the right aesthetic plastic surgeon for your revision rhinoplasty.  In your rhinoplasty consultation, be sure your surgeon addresses all your aesthetic goals and concerns specifically, and discusses the surgery details including the position and size of the incisions used (with actual photographs and not just digital animations), the risks and benefits of the procedure, recovery time, and post-operative course.  Also, be sure to see plenty of before-and-after pictures in women who have a similar nose appearance to yours, and preferably at different time frames (3 weeks out, 3 months out, etc) to more accurately predict your own surgical outcome.

After seeking out a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery, I think the most important component of the consultation is to establish a good connection with your plastic surgeon.  It’s the connection that allows you to clearly define your desired nose outcome goals, the first step of this whole process. If you don’t feel you have a good connection with your plastic surgeon after your consultation, he/she may not be the best surgeon for you.

For more information on rhinoplasty, please refer to my link below.

Good luck.

Mark K Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS
Harvard-trained Board Certified Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

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

Good Morning! Thanks for the questions. At 7 months post-revision, there is definitely time for improvements to be made. I usually advise my revision patients that swelling resolves over 12-15 months, especially in thicker-skinned patients who've had more complicated surgeries. Taping at night and judicious usage of steroids help. Compressions may assist with any deviation of the tip. I would give it more time and continue follow-up with your surgeon. Discussing revision options may be worthwhile so you can plan if desired. Hope this helps!

7 month post op swelling. Will this get better or not? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Revision Rhinoplasty

Answer: Revision Rhinoplasty

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7 month post op swelling. Will this get better or not? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Revision Rhinoplasty

Answer: Revision Rhinoplasty

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Everything you need to know about Revision Rhinoplasty

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