Nose Tip Dropped More Than I Wanted After Rhinoplasty

Question

It's been 6 months since I got my surgery and at 3 months, my nose had a perfect profile, now, my nose looks slightly longer and the middle part seems a bit elevated (the tip dropped more than I wanted it to). my question is, how much more will the nose tip drop, and is it better to take care of this early on (meaning get another surgery sooner) or should I wait until it gets worse since according to the research I've done, nose tip will drop more as years go by.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

This is minor surgery to elevate the tip more. I'm sure your surgeon would want to elevate it more and 6 months is enough time to do it now unless the tip complex has not softened enough. Tip drop from aging takes decades to occur.

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hi Bla,

	Give your nose at least a year of healing time, and then you may consider revision rhinoplasty.  Good luck and be well.

	Dr. P

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It is hard to say what your nose will do exactly especially because I was not the surgeon nor do I have any pictures to compare.

Lawrence Tong, MD, FACS, FRCSC · Answer

Dear blahh,

	The tip will drop over the first 2 years following rhinoplasty (especially if it was an open rhinoplasty), although after 1 year, it would be very acceptable to have a revision. Having the revision done earlier has two main disadvantages:

	
		The nose is still changing, so you could end up needing surgery again
	
		The internal scarring is still very hard and vascular, making the surgery technically much more difficult


	Best regards,

	Lawrence Tong MD FACS FRCSC

Stephen Delia, MD · Answer

Your best bet would be to followup with your original surgeon if you are unhappy with the outcome. Nasal tip drop is a gradual process that may occur over the years as you age. It is not clear what exactly was done to the tip of your nose as every rhinoplasty is different. and there could be insufficient support possibly requiring a strut graft but in the absence of photos, an examination and review of the operative report, further recommendations are not possible.

Nose Tip Dropped More Than I Wanted After Rhinoplasty

Answers (5)