Nostrils Show After Rhinoplasty - Will This Change Once Swelling Reduces?

Thank you for your question!



It is understandable that you are
concerned. 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.



Unfortunately, with the picture posted, the lack of surgical details and the inability to perform a physical exam
it is not possible to provide you with a definitive answer that could be
medically sound.



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 subsides, 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

A postop AP and lateral view is necessary to determine how your nostrils, or ala, have been affected after surgery.  If the ala are retracted, a simple graft procedure can correct this.  However, it is too early to contemplate revision surgery at 2 weeks.  Keep in touch with your surgeon. 

Dear rhinoplasty patient from Hinsdale, IL,
I reviewed your post operative rhinoplasty photo. It seems to be fine and there is expected amount of swelling from what I can see. Since you had your rhinoplasty 2 weeks ago, there is certain amount of swelling and tip rotation that all will subside with time. Please be patience and trust your surgeon's opinion. You will be fine, you have a normal post operative anxiety. He did a good job.
 

I reviewed your photo and your concern. Your tip will drop a few millimeters over the ensuing months. In my view, you don't have excessive nostril show in the photo you provided. My hunch is that you'll end up happy with your result. I hope this is helpful for you.

Prominent appearance to the nostrils is a common complaint in the early post-oeprative period following rhinoplasty. This generally resolves but may take up to 3 months.

I know it hard not to be a little anxious about the result after investing so much, but the key is patience. The nasal tip does tend to drop in the postoperative period which is why we often heavily support it with tape. Don't worry, give it time to heal.

The concern you have is the result of the position of the columella or center part of your nose.  While two weeks is too soon to judge, in my experience, this problem improves but does not completely resolve over time.  The good news is that often this can be corrected fairly easily.  At this point, I would urge you to be patient and let the swelling go down and the tip position relax.  The very worst thing that you could do is try and fix this problem now.

After fixing a droopy nose, the nasal tissues are firm because they are swollen, just like your ankle might swell after a sprain.  The swelling will change the shape of the nose, just like inflating air into a droopy balloon will cause it to stand erect.  Rest assured that the situation is temporary.  We take photos of patients during the swelling phase to demonstrate how the shape changes as the swelling resolves.  The nose is  notoriously slow in getting back to normal, so patience is key while healing.  

Claudio DeLorenzi MD FRCS

You are only two weeks post rhinoplasty, giv eit some time to heal.  The swelling will take some time to dissipate and the tip and nostrils may drop a bit.

The final result of rhinoplasty is a combination of surgery (changing your anatomy) and healing.  2 weeks after your surgery is definitely too early to know what your final look will be.  If you had a droopy nasal tip before surgery, it often takes a little time to get used to the way your nose looks in it's new position.  Please be patient!  It takes time to heal from this surgery.  

Dr. Cat Begovic M.D.