Side profile hook visible in swelling. Is this normal if hook was supposed to be removed and made into “swoop” of a girly nose?

Question

I am on day 7 of recovery of rhinoplasty. My surgeon was supposed to remove the small “witch” hook in My nose (from my side profile). When he took the stint off today my nose is swelled for sure but it look like there’s a hook still and he said that’s normal and it will go down. Is that true? That it can go down. I’m so scared I still have a hook! Please if someone can clear up that that happens or not in swelling and can have no hook after swelling?!

Deepak Raj Dugar, MD · Answer

Hello!Your are only 7 days post ops selling is completely normal. Healing is a long tedious process and it does take time. It truly takes 1 full year for the entire dorsum (profile) and sidewalls of the nose to fully heal and for all the swelling to dissipate. Rhinoplasty healing is a tedious process because it is one of the only surgeries where we are not removing excess skin. It takes 3 years for the tip to fully heal (only if significant tip work is performed). The tip takes the longest time to heal and mold to the new framework because it is the thickest skin of the nose. The skin over the profile is thinner than the skin over the tip. I would advise to continue icing as much as you can to help the swelling subside. Icing is Key!

Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS · Answer

You have to give yourself some more healing time.  Your nose is going to be swollen for a while and you should be consulting the surgeon that performed the procedure but give yourself some time before going back in so some of it can subside. You are just at the beginning of the healing process.
Sincerely,
Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS Double Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

Adam D. Stein, MD · Answer

It takes a long time for the nose to heal after rhinoplasty. Unfortunately that means one sometimes has to wait to see the results.  One week is too early to really know anything about the results.  Usually by six weeks you will have a reasonable idea about where the nose is headed but even then it is still at an intermediary stage in the swelling/healing process.  Depending on skin thickness, I usually tell my patients that at six weeks the nose is 60-70% healed, at six months it is 80-90% healed and at twelve months it is 95-100% healed.  Of course not all patients progress like this and rarely noses take up to two years or even longer to be completely finished with the healing process. Try to hang in there for at least a few more weeks and see how things progress.  If you are very concerned you should speak with your surgeon.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

You did not post photos to see what your concern is. I will say that at one week out you are likely very swollen and need it to settle down. This can take many months.

Jon Kurkjian, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. 
With any nasal surgery, the name of the game is patience. At one week, we would expect you to have quite a bit of swelling and bruising still noticeable and may have trouble breathing out of one or both nostrils. By the end of two weeks, typically, you will still be swollen but look more like you have a bad cold, rather than post surgical. Swelling can take up to a year to be completely gone, however, by 9 weeks you will look very good and should see big difference from your pre-op pics.

Travis L. Shaw, MD · Answer

Dear questionsThe early postoperative period after rhinoplasty can be a difficult time. You want to see the results of your surgery, but have to be patient to allow for swelling to subside. No fun, indeed. Day 7 is much to early to pass judgement on any of the maneuvers performed in the surgery. In the upcoming months, your nose will go through many changes and look better and better. Though its hard, try to remember that time is your friend. BestDr S

Side profile hook visible in swelling. Is this normal if hook was supposed to be removed and made into “swoop” of a girly nose?

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