My nose got wider after rhinoplasty, is this just swelling? (Photos)

Question

I had a nose job 6 months ago to get a thinner nose and fix a small bump. My profile is great, yet the bridge and the tip from the front still look quite wide, in fact bigger than my nose pre rhinoplasty. I understand the swelling should go down in 12+ months however I feel like it would have to be a drastic decrease in order to reach the computerized after pictures that my doctor made. Is it just swelling, or should I reach out to him for a revision? (If so would I have to pay again?)

Jacqueline T. Cheng, MD · Answer

While the majority of the swelling in your nose seems to have resolved, the swelling in the tip of your nose is typically the last to subside.  Continue to follow up with your surgeon and let him or her know your concerns. Best of luck!
 - Jacqueline T. Cheng

Matthew Bridges, MD, FACS · Answer

If you had open rhinoplasty, it would not be unusual for the swelling to be lingering and making you nose look bigger even 6 months after surgery.  However, you make a good point that you have a ways to go to reach the morphed goal.  Giver it another 6 months and then reassess.

Kyle S. Choe, MD, FACS · Answer

Probably swelling from your recent procedure. You will have some 'good days' and 'bad days'. I would continue to follow your surgeon's advise for now. Any revision surgery should wait until healing is comewhat complete.

William Marshall Guy, MD · Answer

Hello Marivalesan,When it comes to noses it does take a full year for the swelling to completely resolve  That being said, most of that swelling is located in the tip and not the upper and middle third.  Looking at the morphed photos you provided I would doubt that you will be able to achieve that look and still breathe. That photo also showed your nostrils were much more narrowed but there was no mention of Weir incisions in your question to indicate that would take place.  By 6 months over 90% of your swelling would be gone, so another 10% wouldn't likely get you to that morphed video.  I would recommend you follow up with your surgeon for evaluation to discuss your concerns and options.  When considering a revision it is important to wait a full year to allow the swelling to completely resolve.  I hope this helps and good luck.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

It is too soon to judge your result.  Surgeons cannot predict how a patient is going to heal.  Everyone is different.  For this reason, I am against computer imaging.  With a computer you can make a person look anyway you want.  This is not necessarily what happens in surgery.  Bones, skin and cartilage all play a large part in the surgical outcome.  Follow up with your surgeon and discuss your concerns.

Michael Elam, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear Marival, You still have some swelling that will dissipate in the tip area however the majority of your swelling has resolved at this point. When I perform digital imaging on patients I try to provide a very realistic proposed result that takes into consideration the techniques I will use, the patients nasal anatomy and their skin thickness. Your imaging provided is unrealistic for an aesthetically pleasing and well functioning nose. I would discuss with your surgeon your concerns and find out what techniques were used in your procedure. See the imaging process in my video attached and the closeness to the proposed and actual result. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.

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