Rhinoplasty: If I keep the cast and tape on for longer than 2 weeks, will it reduce the amount of swelling after it's removed?

The cast and tape will not help if worn for a prolonged period of time.  A closed rhinoplasty will have less swelling than an open rhinoplasty.The nose
can be swollen for up to a year or more. Swelling will depend upon the
nature of maneuvers employed, presence of grafts or implants, thickness
of skin, open vs closed, revision vs primary, etc. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

It may not benefit you to keep the tape on the nose for longer than 2 weeks after surgery. This tape that was placed at the conclusion of your rhinoplasty is not likely to be tight enough on the skin by the 2 week mark after surgery. However, it may benefit you to begin taping the nose nightly after this point to help encourage the skin to 'shrink wrap' down. This is something I have many of my patients do after rhinoplasty. However, it should only be done with specific instructions offered to you by your rhinoplasty surgeon.

Most surgeon leave the cast/splint on for 1-2 weeks.I aim for 1 week because it tends to come off on its own if left on for longer - an then patients think something bad has happened.I also have found in some patients that if it is left on for longer than 1 week then get acne on their nose.So this is what I do to decrease swelling (has proven to be affective in personal experience with 100s of patients and/or from evidence based medicine). 1) Head elevated following surgery for at least 72hrs2) Oral steroids3) Diuretics in some patients4) Low salt/low carb, grain, dairy diet for 2 weeks before and two after (many stay on longer due to increased energy and sustained weight loss).5) Tape nose after splint off for about 3-5 days 6) no strenuous activity for 3 wks after surgeryThis is not meant to be medical advice, just what i do for my patients.Those interested can cheek out at austinfaceandnose.com or drweinfeld.com

Swelling and healing vary significantly from patient to patient.In general keeping the cast or tape on longer than 2 weeks should not improve or speed up your recovery.I would suggest you find a plastic surgeon certified by the American
Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) or facial plastic surgeon (ENT) that you trust and are comfortable with. You
should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person and follow his or her instructions.

Robert Singer, MD FACS

La Jolla, California

No. This will not create any change in the amount of swelling that is present when the case is eventually removed. It will likely create a ton of white heads and pimples on your nose, however, as the cast, tape and glue tend to block the pores in your nasal skin.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Keeping the tape and splint on the nose for two weeks or longer will not probably decrease the swelling.  The tape itself may cause irritation if kept on too long.