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Swelling 4 Years After Rhinoplasty - How Can I Determine What's Causing It?

Hi,

I have undergone four consecutibve rhinoplasties, first 2 at a gap of 6 months, and last at a gap of 4 years. The second last rhinoplasty involved cartilage graft and lot of other changes, like filing of bone of nose. After that rhinoplasty, I have always felt my nose to swell as soon as I experience exposure to heat, even minor exertion, eat spicy or hot food. This also causes a condition like chording where the skin inside my nose feels pulled.

Finally sleeping, fresh air gets back my skin to normal. Moisturizing the skin also helps a bit.

I contacted a lot of doctors, including my PS and all they could diagnose is that due to subsequent rhinoplasties, there is excessive scar tissues in my nose, which causes disruption of lymph flow.

I came across this question on RealSelf about rhinoplasty swelling and I'm wondering if the cartilage graft is the real problem? I never had a infection, but the rhinoplasty swelling is recurrent even after 5 years of my second last surgery.

Can somebody please clarify, if there are some tests to identify the real cause behind the swelling?

Doctor Answers 6

October 15th, 2008

Nasal Swelling After 4 Rhinoplasties

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Hi itzz,

There is no test to determine the "real" cause of your nasal swelling. It seems that your swelling fluctuates and is worsened when there is increased blood flow to your nose (exercising, etc.). The doctors that advised you are likely correct in explaining that what you are experiencing is due to scar tissue and lymphatic and blood flow. Hopefully your symptoms will resolve with more time. Be well.

Dr. P

Michael A. Persky, MD


Encino Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 39 reviews

October 15th, 2008

If truly swollen you should see another surgeon

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What you describe sounds like you "feel" it is swollen. That's different than it is swollen and changes shape. Sometimes patients have strange feelings from there nose after surgery. These paresthesias usually last only a few months but may last longer. There is no treatment for this.
If there is actually swelling that recurs you should see a surgeon to make sure you don't have an infection or a cyst. We see patients routinely who have had 4 or more rhinoplasties who actually have thin noses and no swelling and no lymph blockage.

Toby Mayer, MD

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 38 reviews

February 13th, 2009

Swelling long-term after rhinoplasty

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Swelling at this late stage can possibly be due to poor lymphatic drainage after several previous procedures.

If it is only related to activity, then this is the likley diagnosis. If it happens at other times for no specific reason, then perhaps it could be infectious in nature.

Is there any drainage or redness to the nose? Althought I doubt this will give you answers, sometimes an MRI of the nose may be helpful to check for inflammation and infection.

Steven Wallach, MD

Steven Wallach, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
4.2 out of 5 stars 30 reviews

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November 24th, 2014

Swelling 4 Years After Rhinoplasty- How Can I Determine What’s Causing It?

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Swelling, though a main component of a nose job, should generally completely subside within the first year or two of a rhinoplasty procedure. Swelling that persists 4 years later is relatively rare and is an indication that you should get a medical professional to examine your condition. The cause of your swelling can be a multitude of reasons, ranging from possible impact from your particular lifestyle, complications of surgery, or a persistent infection. My best advice would be to either contact the original surgeon who conducted the surgery, or to seek the expertise of a new surgeon altogether.
Sam Rizk, MD

Sam Rizk, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 79 reviews

August 31st, 2011

Swelling After Rhinoplasty

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Swelling is normal after rhinoplasty. In a primary rhinoplasty, most of the significant swelling subsides in the first 3-6 months, but can take up to one year or longer if the patient is a male or has thick skin. For secondary rhinoplasty, it take 1 ½ - 2 years and can be compounded if they’ve had other procedures as well especially if they’ve had grafts done along with the procedure. If abnormal swelling occurs several years after rhinoplasty, it can be due to an infection. However, this is very uncommon.

 

Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

August 17th, 2011

4 rhinplasties in 4 years ... what is swelling on my nose?

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itzz-sheena,

You don't have a simple problem. There are many reasons that swelling can occur in your nose; anatomical changes in the nose; soft tissue scarring which includes blood and lymph vessels, fatty tissue, fiberous tissue, cartilage, bone and skin. In the post operative process there are an increased number of blood vessels that come in to the area to assist healing. These usually mature and go away. However,if they persist they can cause significant swelling upon increased activity. Sometimes this is difficult to diagnosis. You need to work with your surgeons to test for this. You might also consult a dermatologist to assist you in evaluating the scar tissue for you. Also remember there are certain infections that are more common in India than the US, so you may have what we in th US would consider an unusual infection (fungus , tubuculosis, etc.) that we never see. A dermatologist might be usful in that regard as well.
In any event, you need to be seen in  person  by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to assist you in making a decision as to what is best for you. I hope that this is helpful for you . Jon Sattler, MD Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Glendora, California.
 

Jon Sattler, MD
Glendora Plastic Surgeon

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.