6 weeks after rhinoplasty and I'm so disappointed. Is it really going to change over six months?

Question

I know that I need to wait to see the final results! after my surgery my nose looks great but every week it's getting worse and worse really I can handle how my nose looks right now the tip is so big and tall!! looks weird, everyone looks at me when I'm in public. I feel so disappointed and when I talked to my doctor he told me you have to wait 6 months... I need to know if the nose really gonna change in the 6 months Is that true?

David Tauber, MD · Answer

The
postoperative time for most rhinoplasty patients is often fraught with
trepidation. During a rhinoplasty, the skin and soft tissues are often
completely separated from the underlying bone and cartilage framework. The
framework is modified and the skin is laid back down. These are big movements
that are often intended to create millimeter changes to the shape of the nose
once it heals. After a rhinoplasty the nose swells from the trauma of surgery
and the tissues become edematous. This makes the normally pliable skin firm and
causes the nose to take on a “weird” appearance in the first few weeks after
surgery. This swelling and firmness cause the tip to rotate, the dorsum to
appear rounded, and the columella to swell and bow out from under the nose. As the
initial swelling settles out over the first few weeks, the dorsum begins to
settle, the tip starts to soften, and the columella swelling begins to
dissipate. The nose continues to settle over the next few months as the edema
finally escapes and the soft tissues adapt to their new underlying framework.
It will take 6 months to a year to see a final result. Close follow-up with the
surgeon is essential. Assuming there is no infection, patients should allow at
least 6 months for the swelling to resolve and the tissues to soften before
contemplating any changes. At that point, a detailed exam and discussion will
help delineate the best treatment option.

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.It takes one year for noses to heal. Be patient.

To be sure, return to see your surgeon and follow instructions.

I hope this helps.

Michael T. Somenek, MD · Answer

After a rhinoplasty, it is not unusual to have swelling throughout the nose for weeks after. In particular, the nasal tip is known to be susceptible to persistent swelling for months after the surgery. Depending on your skin thickness, this can affect how long that the swelling persists. It is very important to follow up with your rhinoplasty surgeon throughout the postoperative period as they may be able to do some maneuvers to decrease the swelling such as steroid injections or nasal taping. The nose does continue to heal over the course of about a year which is why rhinoplasty surgeons tell their patients to wait that long before considering a revision. Be patient as the swelling will continue to decrease.

6 weeks after rhinoplasty and I'm so disappointed. Is it really going to change over six months?

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6 weeks after rhinoplasty and I'm so disappointed. Is it really going to change over six months?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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