The swelling is making my nose look kind of crooked, will this settle over time? (Photos)

Question

Hi, I had rhinoplasty 10 days ago. I had bump taken down, Osteotomy, a cartilage graft on my left side and added slightly to my tip and he said he also narrowed it to keep proportions. I know it's very early but I was just a little concerned as at the moment it looks as though my tip isn't inline with the rest of my nose? He also said my nose wants to go to the right but now it's seams it goes to the left? I'm hoping this is all just uneven swelling or whatever and it will all settle.

Jon Kurkjian, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. 
With any nasal surgery, the name of the game is patience. At one week, we would expect you to have quite a bit of swelling and bruising still noticeable and may have trouble breathing out of one or both nostrils. By the end of two weeks, typically, you will still be swollen but look more like you have a bad cold, rather than post surgical. Swelling can take up to a year to be completely gone, however, by 9 weeks you will look very good and should see big difference from your pre-op pics.

Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

It is still early in your recovery. You had a VERY crooked nose preop and the surgeon appears to have done a good job improving this. Perfect straightness is difficult to achieve for the crooked nose. Swelling may be asymmetric and it is important to follow the surgeon's advice as you heal. Swelling may persist to some degree for up to a year postop so it is too early to judge now. Be patient. Your surgeon may advise some massage and/or taping to help with swelling in the interim.

Sahar Nadimi, MD · Answer

It is still too early to determine what the final result of your rhinoplasty will be. The swelling will likely resolve significantly in the upcoming months. Although the majority of swelling after rhinoplasty resolves by about 4 weeks, there is still some swelling even up to 12 months postoperatively. Also it is not unusual to have asymmetric swelling. In general, swelling in the dorsum and tip seems to take the longest to resolve. I would give it some more time and continue to follow all your doctor's postoperative instructions. Be sure to address any of your concerns with your doctor at your follow up visits. Best of luck

Jarrod Little, MD · Answer

It is very important to be patient at this point.  Rhinoplasty is often considered one of the most difficult procedures in aesthetic surgery.  The changes performed during the procedure do not translate to immediate results.  It will take 9-12 months (sometimes longer) to see your final results.  It is also important to communicate your concerns to your surgeon.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

Nasal twisting especially near the tip is not a good sign and indicates asymmetric forces placed on the lower alar cartilages from tip sutures that if are placed asymmetrically may create crookedness in other parts of your nose. You should return to your surgeon and get a consultation from a nasal specialist.

H. George Brennan, MD, FACS - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi.  Thank you for your question.  Having had surgery only 10 days ago, it is very, very early to judge.  It takes up to a year (or more) for swelling to fully subside.  Within that year it is possible to have asymmetrical swelling causing the nose to look uneven and a bit distorted at times.  It is very important to keep in constant contact with your surgeon and make follow up appointments while the healing process continues.  Best of luck to you.

The swelling is making my nose look kind of crooked, will this settle over time? (Photos)

Answers (6)

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