Nose Looks Big and Wide After Rhinoplasty

Question

I had an open Rhinoplasty 5 weeks ago and I really don't like the way my nose looks. I had my nose made smaller, nostrils narrowed, made it come to a point and the bump removed. It looks some what okay in the mirror, but in photos, it just looks big and wide. Is this swelling? How can I determine what's swollen? One side is a little larger than the other and there's an indentation on the left side.

Shahram Salemy, MD, FACS · Answer

Five weeks is still early to see the final results of a rhinoplasty, and it is not uncommon for the swelling to persist for up to a year.  I tell patients to expect about 80% of the swelling to resolve within the first 6 weeks, and the final 20% will take up to a year to settle.
My advice would be to be patient, but convey your concerns to your surgeon.  What you're describing, however, sounds very normal.

Caner Kacmaz, MD · Answer

5 weeks is still too early to see the final outcome of your rhinoplasty surgery. You are still very swollen. It takes approximately 3 months for the swelling to subside completely. However, if you have thick skin this may take even longer. Please be patient. Hope this helps.

Dinko Toncic, MD · Answer

I understand your concern, but I can assure you that it's still to early to make any final assessments about the appearance of your nose since it's still under a notable amount of swelling that should slowely subside in the following couple of months. The nose changes up to 10 or even 20% during the first year post-op. At this point, it's very important to be patient, you will notice your nose changing gradually month in, month out.

Deepak Raj Dugar, MD · Answer

Hello,It takes 1-3 years for the swelling to fully go down after a rhinoplasty. 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. The only true way to understand if it is swelling or not is to get a post op consultation with your board certified facial plastic surgeon. All the best, Deepak Dugar, MDScarless Rhinoplasty ExpertBeverly Hills, CA 90210

Theda C. Kontis, MD · Answer

Recovery from rhinoplasty is an exercise in patience! When performed via the open approach (an incision made in the skin between the nostrils), swelling in the tip may last 6-12 months. You can be sure the nose is swollen if it feels hard when you push down on the tip. Often when one side looks more swollen than the other, it is because you slept with that side down and the swelling shifted.

	You should notice a steady improvement in your nasal appearance over time, however, the tip will be the last area to improve. It may take a full year to see the final definition of your tip.

Nose Looks Big and Wide After Rhinoplasty

Answers (7)