Nose Still Deviated After Open Septoplasty and Rhinoplasty? (photo)

Question

I am a 25 y/o male who underwent open septo-rhinoplastly 10 days ago to straighten my nose and remove the hump. I was born with a deviated nose and also broke it when I was 5 y/o. Although i am very pleased with my surgeon and results thus far(nose is straighter and i breathe much better), I wonder if it is still slightly crooked due to swelling or incomplete correction? I understand there is swelling, however, I feel even if the swelling subsides the nose will still be slightly crooked?

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Generally speaking, it can take 6 to 12 months to completely heal after surgery. Please keep in touch with your surgeon or his/her clinical team to discuss your ongoing concerns.

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

10 days post surgery is still very early for you to judge the results of your surgery - be patient and follow up with your surgeon

Anthony Corrado, DO · Answer

As stated by the other physicians, at 10 days postop it is extremely early to critique your results. From your photos, you still have substantial swelling of the nasal tip and dorsum. You will have to allow at least 6 months healing prior to getting a true idea of what the final confirmation of your nose will be. Understand even after 6 months your nose will continue to heal and mature, and small changes will be seen in the nasal shape up to 1 year after your procedure. In the meantime follow up with your surgeon at regular intervals to evaluate your progress. Good Luck

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

It should come as no surprise that there is unanimity in the answers already posted: it is too early to make a judgment at 10 days. My advice to you is the same as I give to all patients. We follow a genetic program when it comes to postoperative healing. There is no surgical procedure that leaves you without inflammation, and there is no method of circumventing this process. The swelling associated with Rhinoplasty leads to a longer convalescent period in terms of aesthetic results. You can choose to accept the advice already provided or you can worry about it. If anything, anxiety is detrimental to wound healing.

John M. Hilinski, MD · Answer

10 days out from rhinoplasty surgery is much too early to make any accurate assessment of the final outcome. I would discuss this with your chosen surgeon. In some cases, I recommend digital exercises (basically pushing on the nose in certain directions) to help get the nose into even better alignment. These will work in many cases during the first 6-8 weeks of healing.

Evan Ransom, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for your photos and question. Straightening a crooked nose is among the hardest tasks in facial plastic surgery. Based on your photos, it seems that a significant improvement exists already. Though it may not end up 100% straight, at 10 days it is way too early to even talk about final results or revision. Try to be patient and follow up routinely with your surgeon.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Sometimes areas heal at different paces, especially when more work was done on one side. It is very early in the healing process. I am happy to hear your breathing has gotten better. Have a little more patience and communicate with your surgeon.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

10 days is just too early in the postoperative period to get concerned about final results. You are massively swollen and tissue planes are hard to evaluate at this point. Your nose appears straighter than preop even at this early stage. Kenneth Hughes, MD

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Dear Topherboloafer,
	
		You just have to wait it out until all the swelling goes down
	
		There might have been more worked performed on that side to cause the nose to swell asymmetrically
	
		And, in the end, there is nothing to do about it but wait because you can't make any judgements on the final results


	Best regards,

	Nima Shemirani

Houtan Chaboki, MD · Answer

As other rhinoplasty surgeons have stated, 10 days is very early after rhinoplasty, especially after open rhinoplasty. Swelling takes much longer to resolve. In addition, while obtaining perfect symmetry is a rhinoplasty goal, it's difficult to obtain and maintain in the long-term due to a variety of reasons. 

	Speak with your rhinoplasty surgeons regarding any concerns you have. Best of luck.

	Dr. Chaboki

Nose Still Deviated After Open Septoplasty and Rhinoplasty? (photo)

Answers (15)