Nose Looks Big and Wide After Rhinoplasty

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.

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.

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. 

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

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.

Hi Jack,

It is too soon to get too excited about how much of your result is still swelling and how much is your new nose. Be patient and allow nature to take it's course. Discuss your concerns with your rhinoplasty surgeon, and schedule frequent follow up appointments for your own piece of mind if you continue to have concerns.

If still are unhappy at 6 to 12 months, then it is time to get more excited, and consider revision surgery.

Dr. P

Since it has only been five weeks since your rhinoplasty, it is still too early to tell the full effect of the nose yet. There is still a significant amount of swelling in the five weeks after an open rhinoplasty, and it will take a considerable amount of time, approximately a year, before the swelling will resolve entirely. Your nose will look narrower and less wide both in the tip and the bridge as the swelling subsides, but the change will be rather subtle at this point on a month-to-month basis.