When Did Swelling Go Down After Your Rhinoplasty Surgery?

2 weeks after Rhinoplasty is still the infancy of healing. So, try to be optimistic and patient at this stage of the game.
Several things should be remembered while you are awaiting your long term (and enduring) result.
The cast and tape is placed to reduce rhinoplasty swelling over the first week. It does this by holding the tissues down tightly to the underlying cartilage and bone. As such, there is often a little swelling that comes out after it is removed.
Besides the cast issue, most rhinoplasty is reductive in nature, meaning that the height of the nose is reduced. When looking from the front, this can often give the impression of widening or a persistent bump in the early post operative period. Here's why:

The perception of nasal width from frontal view has to do with the interplay of shadow, highlight, and shadow as one moves across the nose.
The places where bone is broken in many reductive rhinoplasties is the side of the nasal bones below the eyes and the central portion of the nose where a hump is removed.
Bones heal by initially forming what is called a callus, which stabilizes the 2 adjacent segments across a break. This callus is thicker than the final bone that will be there after healing is complete.
Callus gets replaced by normal bone over the first few months after surgery.
Therefore, it will take more time for shadows to reappear along the side of the nose than for other swelling to go down. This diminishes the contrast between the top of the nose and the shadow, creating the perception of widening. This will improve over time.
The area where your bump was is also healing in the same manner, so be patient. It will flatten with time.

Finally, depending on your skin thickness, the nasal tip may take longer for the skin to redrape and assume a narrower configuration.

The long recovery after an open rhinoplasty can be frustrating. The cast placed during the first week keeps the swelling down and the cartilage in place but once removed the nose expands. The swelling may go up and down as the weeks pass and you return to regular exercise and routine. It takes 6-12 months before you are able to clearly see the results. 

Two weeks is still very early. The skin around the bones does swell and this should thin out over time. A lot will probably go down over the next two weeks, and the tip should continue to get thinner over the next few months. Just be patient and stay in touch with your surgeon to address your concerns.

So what you observed is very common.  After the cast comes off the always looks thin and usually has a good shape.  Thats because the cast is squeezing the fluid out of the nose.  The following week the nose usually swells and then the waiting game beginsSo noses unlike breasts or abdomens take a lot longer
to heal. Swelling can last up to a year or year and half. The initial
80% will resolve in the first 6wks. The final 20% may take the rest of
the year. The thicker your skin the longer it takes. Many ethnic noses
like Latinos or Asians take a long time. The key is as follows.....if
your nose looks amazing at 2 months then it may likely look bad at 1
year when all the swelling resolves and its tiny....you must be patient. Hope that
helps

Dr Rahban

Thank you for your question. Swelling after Rhinoplasty can be very significant and easily hide the eventual result. Your appearance right after the splint was removed is more accurate than how it looks two weeks later. As a general rule, you can not evaluate the results for 3-6 months and the final result is at one year. Try to be patient and discuss your concerns with your surgeon. Good luck.

Answer from Dr. Sean Hill, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon at Lone Star Plastic Surgery in Frisco, TX:
You’re still very early in the healing process, and what you’re experiencing is completely normal.
At two weeks after rhinoplasty, most patients still have noticeable swelling, especially around the nasal tip and bridge. While the worst of the swelling usually subsides within the first 2–3 weeks, it’s important to know that refinement continues gradually over several months.
Here’s what to expect moving forward: • 2–4 weeks: The nose starts to look more refined, and much of the facial bruising (if any) resolves. • 1–3 months: Swelling continues to decrease, and you’ll see ongoing improvement in contour — though the tip often stays firm or puffy a bit longer. • 6–12 months: Subtle definition continues to emerge, especially in the tip and profile view. Thicker skin types may take even longer to fully settle.
Remember, it’s totally normal for your nose to feel stiff, swollen, or slightly asymmetrical at this stage. Final results take time, and patience is key.
At Lone Star Plastic Surgery, I follow all rhinoplasty patients closely through each stage of healing to ensure everything is progressing as it should.
If you ever have concerns about how your swelling is resolving, a quick follow-up with your surgeon is always the best next step for peace of mind.
Warmly,Dr. Sean HillBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonLone Star Plastic Surgery – Frisco, TX

Hello and thank you for your question. Since you are only two weeks after surgery, it is very normal and expected to be very swolllen. The final results take at least 1.5 years for the swelling to fully resolve. This can require lots of patience and waiting. Steroid injections performed by your surgeon can be extremely helpful. I usually start steroid injections around 1 to 2 months after surgery and continue as needed. Most patients are able to return to work and resume exercise one week after surgery. I recommend that you maintain close follow up with your surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

2 weeks is just too early to see the final results. Your nose is still very very swollen and you will need to wait approximately 3 months for your swelling to subside. If you have thick skin, this may take up to h12 months. What you are seeing right now definitely is not your final result. Please give yourself time to heal and be patient. Have a lovely day.

Hi there. The splint keeps a bit of the swelling down so it is normal to see a bit more swelling after the splint is removed (this can be treated by using the splint at night for at least 6 weeks after surgery). Generally about 70% has resolved by 6 weeks, but it can take a year or two for the rest to go. There can also be swelling caused by specific treatments- eg if the dorm was rasped then some swelling is common on the dorsum. I think the best treatment in your situation is to wear the splint (sitting snugly) as much as possible.

I understand your concern, but if there is one thing you should keep in mind with rhinoplasty is that it requires patience and time before you see the final result. Swelling will occur once the splint is taken off and can persist for some time. The worst of it will be in the first two weeks, and then you should see a very gradual reduction in the swelling as your new nose starts to come into focus. By the six-month mark, you should have a pretty good idea of what your new nose will look like. However, you can continue to have some residual swelling for up to one year after surgery. Rest assured, your nose should begin to look better and better in the coming weeks and months.

It is expected that you will have the most swelling within the first 2 weeks after surgery. This gradually subsides over the following weeks. The appearance of the nose changes a fair amount during the first 6-12 weeks - what I akin to a rollercoaster ride - lots of ups and downs with regards to the appearance/swelling. Your surgeon will advice on skincare/massage to help this process along. The nose takes an entire year to settle but by around 4-6 months, you’ll have an idea of what its going to look like. Though this can vary depending on the extend of surgery eg primary or revision.