Post Rhinoplasty: Why Does my Nose Look Bigger Than Before Surgery?

Thank you for your question!It is understandable that you are concerned especially with the large nose tip. Changes after rhinoplasties vary with every patient and what you are experiencing is normal especially that swelling takes time to subside as it masks the results of your surgery.With the pictures posted, the lack of surgical details and the inability to perform a physical exam it is not possible to provide you with a definitive medical answer.It is important to keep in mind that it is early to pass a judgment. Usually, a year is required before formulating how your nose will be. Even then, your nose will keep shaping itself and to complement your face for better results in the years to come.My best recommendations at the moment is to be patient, allow nature to take its course and edema subsides for better results. There is no doubt that once the swelling resolves, more definition and shape will be achieved and you should be happier with the results.Also, it is important that you keep communicating with your surgeon and work as a team together to achieve the best results possible.Congratulations on your surgery and please remain positive!Ali Sajjadian, MD FACS

Nasal surgery, in many ways, is quite different than other cosmetic surgeries.  What drains the swelling from a breast augmentation or a tummy tuck is the lymphatic system.  The nose has a very weak lymphatic system, and therefore the swelling takes a great deal of time to go down.Also, with tummy tucks and many other cosmetic surgeries, pressure from a girdle or other garment can squeeze the fluid out.  There are very few useful techniques to squeeze fluid out of noses.Therefore, the swelling in noses doesn't start to go down until about one month after, and the final shape of the nose is not going to be evident for a minimum of six months, and the final final appearance usually doesn't occur for about a year or more.Surrendering control over your own body is frightening to almost everyone, and reassurance is best when it comes from the man or woman who did the cosmetic surgery.  Communication with your plastic surgeon after surgery is better than Valium, and it also keeps you from reading all the frightening stories on the internet.    

Thanks for the question. 1 month after rhinoplasty is too early to make a comment about the result so far I see on the photos there is a certain amount to swelling a couple more weeks you have to wait for an approximate the result. I wish you all the best.

Thank you for your question and your photos. One month after an open rhinoplasty, particularly in a patient with thicker or more sebaceous skin, there is likely quite a bit of swelling. This makes the skin of the nose, especially in the tip region, much thicker than it will be eventually. The waiting is the hardest part! But please stay positive. Meet with your surgeon regularly. You may benefit from massage or small injections of a steroid to reduce swelling. Take care.

No need to panic as this looks like lots of common post surgery swelling  and just above the tip you have a fair bit . It will settle but if it feels soft and spongy above the tip a steroid injection may be beneficial 

One month is a very early time to think about the size of the nose. Male skin is typically thicker and it will take several months for the skin to shrink up around the cartilage and bone underneath. Be sure to express your concerns to your surgeon so he/she can examine and monitor your progress closely.

Hello,In rhinoplasty proportion is everything. When the upper bridge (called "radix") is reduced, then the nose can look longer and the tip larger.  Although swelling at one month after open rhinoplasty is common, it looks like the proportions of your nose have changed which is why your tip looks larger. If you still have concern at 6 months then a revision may be needed.  Best of luck.

This is a very common complaint with patients especially if they have thick oily skin.  Patients with thicker skin often have to wait up to 2 years to see the final results of their nose.  Additionally the final change may seem subtle despite a surgeons best effort to make improvements.  That is why its important for surgeons to have an honest conversation with patients about their anatomy and limitations.  At one month it is not uncommon for the nose to look big and possibly bigger than before.  I would just be patient and I am sure it will get better.Good Luck

Thanks for your question. I don't think you have any reason to worry that your current look will be permanent. When a nose looks unexpectedly enlarged after rhinoplasty, it's usually due to swelling, and swelling is almost always temporary. Over the next few weeks, you should see much of this swelling diminish on its own, provided you're following your surgeon's aftercare instructions. If you don't see any change with time, schedule a follow-up with your surgeon.

Your profile no longer reveals a hump and droopy tip, and your front view appears to have swelling around your nasal tip which would be expected only one month postoperative.Hope this helps.Dr Joseph