Why do noses look fatter/wider AFTER rhinoplasty?

There are some typical and sadly very common technical shortfalls and errors in rhinoplasties; including but not limited to the ones you pointed out, let me explain reasons why:-broad dorsums: aka "open roof deformity", due to absent or incompetent nasal bones osteotomies (normally associated with inverted V deformity)-piggy noses: there is a "taboo" maneuver which I personally still don't reach to understand why so many of my colleagues keep on practicing, it is the caudal septum resection / trimming... it leads to a absolutely upturned and fake look, piggish; additionally overresection of alar cartilages or upper lateral cartilages may be contributing factors-being true some noses need augmentation (shor or small tips, short septums, short noses, low dorsums, low radix, etc.), still grafting may be required not to augment but to reshape and redefine the shape and location, for example, of a tip; this is why in some reduction rhinoplasties a graft at the tip has to be used-massive deprojection of tips lead to an horizontal expansion of the nostrils, therefore they apparently "grow" which actually is a broadening; if this is unacceptable or beyond proportions it is easy to trim them our and reduceDon't freak out, the phenomenons you have detected have very well known (for some doctors...) physical explanations, can be treated, prevented or customized.It is if paramount importance you end in the hands of a really good and experienced rhinoplasty surgeon.

If you did, and you like them, and his noses don't look fatter after surgery, and he thinks you're a good candidate for the operation, then don't let other things you see on the Internet freak you out. Having a bigger nose after surgery certainly is *not* the goal. 
I usually make computer morphs when I'm answering a RealSelf question, to show the changes that are possible for your nose with a rhinoplasty. For example see this page:FacialSurgery.com/RealSelf/RealSelf_Morphs.html
But of course you didn't post any photos. Is there something about your particular nose that makes you fear it getting wider after surgery? See the "Web reference" link, just below my post. At the *very* bottom of the Web reference page is a link to instructions on taking photos that are useful for online consultations like this, in case you'd like a more complete evaluation.

You should be doing scarless closed rhinoplasty for the most finesse surgical option without extensive swelling. The cuts at the base of the nose cause dreaded permanent scars and swelling that lingers. 

Seek a surgeon whose 100% surgical practice is dedicated to scarless closed rhinoplasty.

Hello and thank you for your question.  Often this appearance is due to swelling.  But you are correct in that the swelling should be gone by one year.  My best advice is to specifically look at before and after
pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon
and not just a computer animation system.  If you like all of your surgeon's before and after pictures, then try not to worry so much and you will also likely have a good outcome.Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Hello,Thanks for your question.Noses can look wider after surgery for several reasons:1. increased width of the nasal bones after the hump is removed2. excess swelling in the nasal tip3. nasal tip scar that thickens the tip4. thick nasal tip skin that doesn't shrink well after rhinoplasty5. vascular congestion of the nasal tip skinThe blood supply to the nasal tip skin is very tiny. When it gets damaged, it can have problems rebuilding properly. This can cause a backup of swelling (edema) to the tip. This edema can be permanent in some cases. Ethnic patients with thick, oily tip skin have a difficult time getting smaller tips. Methods to improve this might include nasal tip steroid injections, nasal tip cartilage grafts, and use of retinols/Accutane to help the skin thin out more.Make sure you address these questions to your surgeon to get their take on the subject.Good luck,Dr. Shah

Your question is general, but your concern specific.  Perhaps the issue is best re-phrased: Will MY nose appear fatter/wider after MY rhinoplasty, and if so, WHY?  The nose is three-dimensional.  In general, when projection of your nose from your face is reduced, elements of the nose may appear wider from the front.  Sometimes, in an effort to improve nasal airway (breathing), the "middle vault" is intentionally widened, but only a couple of millimeters.  If tip projection is diminished significantly resulting in nostril widenening, a form of "alar base narrowing" may be indicated to return nostrils to their most aesthetic width.  Present your surgeon with your concerns, with vlogs and/or online photos that are producing your anxiety.  Your surgeon should explain to you the probability of your situation resulting in a disappointing reality.  Your chosen surgeon's before and after gallery photos are a better indication of what your result will be than photos of other doctor results you're seeing online.

What you are noticing is indeed a common finding if there has been inadequate attention to some important details of the procedure. This occurs generally when there has been an inadequate "lateral osteotomy" performed leaving the bony part of the nose too wide for the reduction of a hump. It is equivalent to truncating (removing the top) off a pyramid and then not reducing it's base in order to achieve symmetry. This is in fact one of the most common adverse findings in rhinoplasty surgery. This is easily avoided by initially adequately performing the narrowing. 
Other factors that are very important are those of the tip aesthetics with overall balancing of proportions. One of the more commonly under-treated problems is that of loss of tip support/projection. This in turn might make the nose appear wider or "pudgier". I frequently use septal extension and support grafts to prevent or correct this. Ultimately the sine of great rhinoplasty is that there is in fact no sign of it.

A rhinoplasty procedure can accomplish narrowing a wide nose, OR widening a narrow nose. Noses do not look wider after rhinoplasty if osteotomies have been performed and tip cartilage reduction has been accomplished. The tip of the nose does stay swollen for upwards of a year depending upon the thickness of the skin and the techniques used during the rhinoplasty procedure. Placement of cartilage grafts inside the nose makes the nose bigger due to volume augmentation, and grafts do not reduce the size. Rhinoplasty is a very difficult endeavor, so choose your surgeon wisely based on extensive experience producing very natural results consistently. Digital computer imaging performed in the office setting would also be helpful to understand what can be accomplished with the procedure. For more information and many before and after examples of narrowing a wide nose with closed rhinoplasty, please see the link and the video below

A rhinoplasty or nose job should not end up with a result that looks wider if the goal was to narrow the nose.  Make sure you study the before and after photos of the surgeon how have chosen very carefully.  You should also study their revision rhinoplasty photos, if they have any.  Revision rhinoplasty is a much harder operation to get good results with and are a great indication of the technical skill of the surgeon.  This was you are even more assured of getting the result that you want.I hope that helps.Best regards.