Is This Just Supratip Swelling After Rhinoplasty?

Question

I had rhinoplasty about 7 weeks ago. I know that it's still really early in the healing process but I'm somewhat concerned about my results. My old nose had a huge bump and hung over quite a bit. Now I have no bump but the tip is kind of strange and still overprojects/droops down. My nose is still hard in the supratip area but it never was very "squishy" even before surgery. What's going on? P.S. My right nostril is higher than the left but it was like that before surgery.

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

Seven weeks post surgery is still very early for you to judge the results of your surgery - having said that you may need a revision to establish tip support and correct the hanging columella

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

I read your concern and reviewed your photos. It is conceivable that the bulge above your tip is just post-surgical swelling that will subside with time. You should see your surgeon and ask if a triamcinolone acetonide injection (steroid for swelling) might be beneficial for you.

	All the best from us in NJ.

Andrew Pichler, MD · Answer

7 weeks is way too early to make a final judgement. You still have significant amount of swelling that can take months to resolve. Having said that you should certainly keep in close touch with your surgeon. Tip rotation may not not be sufficient, supratip swelling (or excess cartilage...."beak" deformity) might be an issue, but overall be patient.

Rafael C. Cabrera, MD · Answer

this is a common occurence after a closed rhinoplasty with dorsal hump reduction and no tip work done. yu will need further refinement with a tip graft and some dorsal crtilaginuous reduction at the supratip area. I would wait until the tissues have healed before undertaking a revision. it will require an open approach with a columellar incision. good luck

Kamran Khoobehi, MD · Answer

I am not sure if your first set of picture are before pictures but I guess they are. You have inadequate dorsal reduction and not enough tip projection. The other point is the tip rotation and width. It is early for revision.

Is This Just Supratip Swelling After Rhinoplasty?

Answers (5)