Swollen lump years after rhinoplasty. Can this be fixed without general anesthesia? (photos)

Question

So i had surgery years ago. My nose looks bigger from the right Profile since my face is not symmetrical but i developed a lump and my nose still swells up and down and it gets very big. My nose looks like a water slide and still very big. How can this be fixed and can it be done without general anesthesia?

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

Most likely, the problems you are seeing are caused by the current size and position of the two cartilages that form the tip of your nose. Those cartilages can be modified in a second operation. The goal would be to lower that isolated bump, narrow the tip, and possibly bring the tip back closer to your face and elevate the tip a bit, because those two movements could make the tip look less prominent and make it not look like a "slide" to you.
How *much* to elevate the tip, or deproject the nose, or make other changes? We figure that out with morphs, well before surgery. I'd love for you to see some excellent professionally-designed morphs of what could possibly be done with your nose. Morphs could also help you identify better just what's bothering you, and help you set a goal for the rhinoplasty that's accurate for your tastes. Profile and three-quarter views would be particularly important in morphing your nose. (Side note: in my opinion, morphs should really be done by the surgeon, or he should direct an assistant as she makes the morphs. Morphs should be made with a constant eye to what actually *can* be done in surgery, for that particular nose, and the surgeon has that information and judgment best.)

I'd love for you to see some excellent morphs of what could possibly be done with your nose. It might make you feel better about the possibilities and help you plan your ideal goal.
Remember that rhinoplasty is an exquisitely difficult operation to get right, and you should only have surgery if you are able to make yourself very confident in your surgeon's skills. The changes that your nose needs require advanced techniques, and skill that most plastic surgeons don't possess with expertise. For most noses, it's much better to not have surgery than to have inexpertly-performed surgery. Read my essay on how to stay out of trouble while selecting a rhinoplasty surgeon. And for those who have had previous surgery, it also discusses how to tell whether your first surgeon should be performing your revision. And it also discusses how to take photos that are best for online evaluations.

Swollen lump years after rhinoplasty. Can this be fixed without general anesthesia? (photos)

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Swollen lump years after rhinoplasty. Can this be fixed without general anesthesia? (photos)

Answers (1)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Revision Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.