Will the Sides of my Nose Go Down?

It's important to remember that swelling can take up to two years to fully diminish after undergoing a rhinoplasty. Since you're so early on in the recovery process, it's important to be patient during this time. Your swelling will continue to go down over the course of the next several months and more optimal results will most likely present themselves.

After two weeks, you will still be significantly swollen. It can take 18-24 months to see the final result of your surgery. 70% of the swelling is resolved after the first 3 months, and the remainder goes down over time. Your nose will continue to improve while you heal. In the meantime, I would recommend communicating any immediate post-operative concerns to your surgeon. I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck with your recovery. 

 

Photos always helpful

 

2 wks is early so many things will change

 

The intermittent nature of it makes me think it is edema (swelling)

 

If so there is significant potential it will improve

 

It is completely normal to have swelling present at two weeks after rhinoplasty.  The appearance of your nose will still change with more time.  I would wait at least 6-12 months before evaluating what your nose may look like and  sometimes the swelling can take even longer to subside completely.  

   If the areas go away with gentle pressure, this is swelling.  At 2 weeks, you are very early and very swollen.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

It is too early to worry about your results.  Allow more time for the swelling to go away; we usually say that it takes about 12 months for the nose to heal.

You are describing pot operative swelling perfectly. This will go down. Pressure is better than massage as I have seen some of my patient massage so hard that it swelled more. If you wear glasses you may also see an indentation.

 

 

David Ellis MD FRCSC Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon at Art of Facial Surgery

At two weeks after a rhinoplasty you are probably very swollen. Give it time for things to settles down. The bumps may go away.

It will take several months for complete healing after rhinoplasty and in fact after a most surgeries. I would not manipulate the nose at this time as I can displaced nasal bone.

Swelling along the side of the nose is normal this early following a rhinoplasty especially when bone work is performed.  The fact that it goes away with pressure is encouraging and it should disappear completely over time.