Is This Much Swelling Normal when Cartilidge is Added?

It is very acceptable to be seeing swelling over a cartilage graft for several weeks to months after rhinoplasty. The soft tissue around the cartilage is swollen and may feel firm.  It can take up to a year to see the final results, although the swelling anfd firmness should slowly dissipate in the next few months.

If you have redness and tenderness over the area where the cartilage was placed, you may have an infection and should see your surgeon as soon as possible.

It is normal to have swelling over the site of the tip graft placement 1 month after surgery. This should resolve over the next 6-12 months. This graft will become incorporated into the surrounding tissue as living structure.

  You didn't mention if the surgeon placed the cartilage graft, on the tip, as an isolated procedure or during a Rhinoplasty.  Isolated swelling for the former is completely normal but not so much in the latter as the tissues were all dissected at the same time.  Cartilage can be placed by laying it on the tip cartilages, glued or sewn into place to prevent the graft from moving or shrinking over time.  Ask your surgeon more about your particular case to be sure you don't have a stitch that's causing swelling and inflammation as this can cause the cartilage graft to dissolve unevenly if left unattended..