7 months post op - would steroid injections help me achieve a more narrow and defined tip? (photos)

Question

7 months ago, I had rhinoplasty. The doctor used rib cartilage. I wanted a narrower, defined tip. Also a defined bridge and slightly more narrow. But mainly I wanted a defined tip. Initially there had been some change. But after about 4 months it started to look like my old nose. 7 months on, I have seen minimal change to the tip. am so disappointed I would not have a second surgery. Will steroid shots work?

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

That said, I can understand that it is disconcerting to see things move in the opposite direction. Best advice would be to bring your concerns to the attention of your surgeon. If the recommendation is to wait for a full 12 months postoperative, I don't think that's unreasonable. The other option would be to get a second opinion from another reputable rhinoplasty specialist. Wishing you well moving forward. Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Thomas Spalla, MD · Answer

Rhinoplasty is a very challenging operation to perform, and one of the major reasons for this is that the final results take so long to be seen. You have a good idea of your nose at around 6 months after surgery, but there are still changes that can be seen between years 1 and 3!

I would recommend that you discuss your concerns with your surgeon while remembering that continued refinement of the nose will take place. I have found that patients with thicker nasal tissues and ones in which more work was done, such as rib grafting, always take longer to see their final results.

Gurkan Kayabasoglu, MD · Answer

Hello. I am sorry to say that you have to have surgery again. The right and left nasal cartilages are not equal in size. Steroids won't help.

If you want to get more information, you can always reach my assistant Dila on this number +90 533 015 95 95 via WhatsApp .

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

To make an assessment regarding the outcome of any plastic surgery procedure, we generally need to see a complete set of proper before and after pictures.
If you don’t have it before, and after pictures, then ask your surgeon to forward the pictures they took.
At six months, your results are close to final.
 Steroid injections primarily reduced the swelling when swelling is caused by inflammation.
If there’s no inflammation, then steroid injections are not going to have much impact.
Steroid injections are primarily used to reduce inflammation.
These type of steroids are specifically anti-inflammatory being corticosteroids as opposed to anabolic steroids. 
I don’t think steroid injections are going to change your outcome and I generally do not recommend steroid injections unless they are indicated.
Anti-inflammatory steroids can have potential undesirable side effect, some of which can be very serious.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

7 months post op - would steroid injections help me achieve a more narrow and defined tip? (photos)

Answers (4)