10.5 month post op, the tip is swollen. I did not use a cast & I'm a regular smoker & drinker. Does this prolonged my healing?

Question

i am about 10.5 months post-opbut tip is still swelling. In the am especially my tip is pretty stiff and softens through the day and by the end of it my nose looks normalish (but still a bit puffy). at 4-5 mon my tip was smaller and defined but i had 2 dents near the tip area.doc injected aqua mid into one side and kind of "cut"(?) through the other (am not sure what he did my eyes were closed and it was really painful like he was cutting/ injecting my nose multiple times).

Mark Beaty, MD · Answer

Yes, smoking and drinking can significantly impair healing and may contribute to prolonged swelling and stiffness, even 10.5 months post-op. Nicotine constricts blood vessels and reduces oxygen flow, which slows tissue recovery, while alcohol can cause fluid retention and inflammation. Morning stiffness that improves throughout the day is standard due to fluid accumulation overnight. Still, persistent puffiness this far out may also relate to scar tissue or how your body is responding to prior interventions (like the AquaMid injection and possible manual manipulation).

The procedure you described, possibly involving filler and/or scar tissue release, can also cause additional trauma and inflammation, which might explain the ongoing swelling. At this stage, it’s essential to follow up with your surgeon or a specialist experienced in revision rhinoplasty for a proper assessment and long-term management options.

Dr. Mark Beaty

10.5 month post op, the tip is swollen. I did not use a cast & I'm a regular smoker & drinker. Does this prolonged my healing?

Answers (1)