Almost 28 months post op and nose is hard and drooping - is this part of the healing process? (photos)

Question

I had a septoplasty last July and I found that one side of my nose is still quite hard and there is scar tissue along the inside of the incision line. The nose tip is still fairly hard and looks droopy when I smile. Is this a normal part of the healing process? Even though it’s been almost a year and a half post op? My doctor said there nothing we can do about it and that it is completely normal even though it’s a tad uncomfortable. Will this be permanent or is it normal? Thank you:)

Mark K. Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.

I am unsure from your question if you are 1 or 2 years out from surgery -- the title of your question states 28 months, and the question stem mentions you had your surgery last June...  In general, it takes 12-18 months to fully heal from a rhinoplasty or septoplasty, with some patients experiencing improvement in swelling even after that period.  Regardless, whether you're 1 or 2 years postop -- overall stiffness, hardness, and scarring should be significantly improved at this point.  Steroid injections can help soften the scarring.  Sometimes, Accutane can also help with the nasal skin thickness.

How is your breathing?  If your septoplasty has not improved your breathing, you may need to consider a revision septoplasty where the residual deviated septum is revised, excised, and re-set as necessary; any further breathing difficulty can also be improved with spreader grafting -- health insurance can cover all this at minimal cost to you☝️

Your nose does not appear to be deviated, but if you have any cosmetic concerns, such as nasal droop when smiling as you mentioned, a rhinoplasty can also be performed to revise your nasal tip overall to create a more refined look.  Structural support with careful cartilage grafting can also prevent tip droop when smiling.

I would recommend discussing your concerns again with your surgeon, and suggesting steroid injections or potentially Accutane. If you don’t feel you have a good connection with your plastic surgeon after your consultation, he/she may not be the best surgeon for you.

For more information on septoplasty, please refer to my link below.

Good luck.

Mark K Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS
Harvard-trained Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Caner Kacmaz, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. We say that complete recovery is 12 months after rhinoplasty surgery. This is your final result. If you are unhappy with it ,I highly recommend you contact your surgeon

Selcuk Inanli, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question.
As far as I can see from your photos In order for us to make a correct evaluation, it would be better to send your photos from the side profile and at 95 degree angles in good light, but as far as I see in this photo, there is sagging on your nose tip and this is not normal.
It would be better face to face consultation.
Best Regards!

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Your nose appears too wide and long. Shortening the nose and raising the tip is fairly straightforward to achieve. You may need to have the nasal bones broken and narrowed as well

Almost 28 months post op and nose is hard and drooping - is this part of the healing process? (photos)

Answers (4)