Rhinoplasty: Does adding cartilage make the nose bigger

Contemporary rhinoplasty techniques emphasize tissue preservation and reshaping as opposed to high volume removal and reduction. This has shown to better insure long term lasting results. Cartilage grafts are often used to provide structural support, augmentation, camouflage or to create shape, especially in patients with thicker skin.  If you received grafts for shape it may take time for the skin to shrink around it enough for you to see the refinement. Best to review with your surgeon what the visualized outcome is that he/she expects for you.

It depends on how much and where the cartilage is placed. In fact adding cartilage is sometimes done to provide support so a narrower more defined contour can be achieved.