Post Rhinoplasty: Swelling Has Gone but Tip of Nose is Still Big

Dear Rhinoplasty patient from UK,
What you are experiencing is normal post rhinoplasty anxiety. Swelling after a rhinoplasty can last for up to a year, sepcially in the tip area.  For two weeks post op you nose look good. One month after rhinoplasty, you should see clear improvements.  Long-term results (specially in the nasal tip area) can take a year or more to appreciate due to swelling.  This is the hardest part for the patient, because it takes patience.  Give it time and follow up closely with your surgeon. Good luck and good healing. Dr. Kevin Sadati

It’s not unusual for patients undergoing rhinoplasty to have prolonged swelling.  Several factors, including the use of open rhinoplasty, fracture of the nasal bones, thickness of the nasal skin and a previous rhinoplasty have been associated with prolonged swelling.
            Most patients will note significant swelling for about two to three weeks following surgery.  After two weeks, most patients are comfortable resuming their normal lives and going out in public.  Swelling will persist in most patients for at least one year following surgery, with the nasal tip being the last site to experience resolution.  In the immediate post-operative period, nasal splints, elevation of the head and ice can be used to minimize swelling.

Hello,It usually takes 1-3 years for the swelling to fully go down after a rhinoplasty. The tip takes the longest time to heal and mold to the new framework because it is the thickest skin of the nose. The skin over the profile is thinner than the skin over the tip. Patience is required during this healing phase. However, an anti-inflammatory can help with the swelling. Another alternative is a steroid injection. Consult your doctor to see if both of these are good options for you.All the best,
Deepak Dugar, MD
Scarless Rhinoplasty Expert
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Thank
you for submitting your question. Your very early in ypur recovery from a rhinoplasty. Swelling after a rhinoplasty, with
tip work will last for a year. Discuss your concerns
with your surgeon and follow his/her advise. Best wishes

In general, swelling after rhinoplasty takes months and months to fully resolve, and it's apparent that your nose is still quite swollen. You should wait at least a year before considering revision rhinoplasty.

Tip swelling may take months to recede. Sometimes, careful injection of cortisone meds may help the swelling go down faster.

It will take one full year for the swelling to completely resolve from your nose.  Two weeks is very early and there is still a fair amount of swelling present, especially in the tip of your nose. Be patient and follow up with your plastic surgeon at regular intervals and voice your concerns.

Best wishes,

Dr.Bruno

It is way too early to think the swelling has gone away.  Your nose will continue to change for months after surgery, albeit more slowly as time goes along.  Depending on the techniques used, it is often better for the nose to be a bit on the larger side initally as the swelling will then go down, leaving you with the desired result.  If your now looked perfect now, I would be worried that in a few months or a couple of years, it would look pinched and you would have trouble breathing.  Be patient, it's worth it.  Decreasing your sodium intake will hepl the swelling subside--shoot for less than 3000mg per day.
 

Thank you for your question. 
With any nasal surgery, the name of the game is patience. At one week, we would expect you to have quite a bit of swelling and bruising still noticeable and may have trouble breathing out of one or both nostrils. By the end of two weeks, typically, you will still be swollen but look more like you have a bad cold, rather than post surgical. Swelling can take up to a year to be completely gone, however, by 9 weeks you will look very good and should see big difference from your pre-op pics. I encourage you to stay patient. 

Thank you for the question! It's much too early to worry about your results considering that you had your surgery done two weeks ago.  At this point you are most likely experiencing post-op swelling, which is preventing you from seeing final results. Swelling may take 6 to 12 months to completely resolve. In the meantime, you may see contour irregularities. Give it more time for your nose to "settle." 
 An in-person exam with a board-certified plastic surgeon would be the best way to assess your needs and obtain expert medical advice. Best of luck!