Can rhinoplasty swelling make the nose look droopy? (Photo)

Question

You always hear about how swelling can make a nose look upturned, but mine is starting to look a bit droopy, especially from the 3/4 angle. So can a tip swell downward? Will this droopy appearance lift with time? Or will it only get worse?! I am 1 month post op.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Yes, swelling following the surgery can make your nose appear droopy and hide your final result. You should begin to see improvement as the swelling subsides. Always work with a board certified facial plastic surgeon. 
Best wishes,

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

This can be typical. You need to have patience with your body as it begins to heal. The skin, bone and cartilage are all traumatized during surgery. Inflammation (swelling) is the normal response and will help your nose to heal and look beautiful in the end. If, one year from now, you are unhappy with your nose, then that is the time to think about a revision procedure. Right now, concentrate on other things you like to do and let your nose and under eyes take the time to heal. I hope this helps.

Eric Rosenberger, MD · Answer

Your nose will undergo significant changes over the course of the next 9 - 12 months. Swelling at the infratip and columella is common at one month postop. Expect swelling exacerbations to last through the summer due to high heat with improvement when the weather cools off. Most importantly, communicate with your surgeon. He or she may recommend taping, compression exercises, steroid injections, or other therapy.

Laxmeesh Mike Nayak, MD · Answer

As you have experienced, changes occur over the course of rhinoplasty healing. At first, the nose looks too "fat" and too "up," especially at the tip. Most of the dropping happens early, but there can still be significant changes over the full year and beyond.

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.

David Reinstadler, MD · Answer

Swelling after rhinoplasty can result in a number of issues that usually resolve with time. The tip and infra tip are usually the things that retain swelling the longest. These will improve over the next number of months. I would recommend continued follow up with your surgeon and around the six month mark, you should notice things tightening up nicely. Best of luck

Melanie L. Petro, MD · Answer

Hi, Thank you for your inquiry and photo.  Swelling after a rhinoplasty can last up to 6 months or longer in some patients.  Swelling changes the appearance of the entire nose, including the tip.  If you think the swelling isn't getting better or getting worse I would suggest you return to your surgeon and make sure everything is healing properly.

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