2 weeks post-op. Will my tip drop following rhinoplasty? How many mms can I expect it to drop? (photos)

Question

I’m 2 weeks post op a closed rhino/septoplasty. I know it’s VERY early to make any any assumptions, however the tip is a little over rotated when looking straight on. My nostrils never showed before the procedure, and I have a long face as I’m 5’9. How many mms should I expect it to drop?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello. Great question. You are correct, you very early in your recovery process to make conclusions. This procedure involves the manipulation of the nasal bones and nasal cartilage, which then leads to an abundance of swelling. All the swelling causes the tip of the nose to look abnormal. It takes a couple of months for all the swelling to go down. Be patient. You will see your true results in a couple of months. It will definitely be helpful to see before pictures to better evaluate you. If concerns persist, please contact a board certified plastic surgeon for a detailed examination.

Jeffrey Lisiecki, MD · Answer

It's normal for the tip to appear a little over rotated right after surgery because of swelling and to account for the droop that naturally happens after surgery.  How much it will drop depends on exactly what was done and the type of grafts that your surgeon used to support the tip of your nose, but can vary from about 1-5 degrees of rotation loss in the first year (I would assume 5 degrees assuming they used a columellar strut graft instead of a septal extension graft, since you had a closed rhinoplasty).

Ali Sajjadian, MD, FACS · Answer

An Often Concerned Issue Following Rhinoplasty is Nose Tip Drop.
Yes, following a rhinoplasty, it's normal for the nose tip to drop slightly . Swelling and the body's natural healing process are typically to blame for this.   Individual differences in the amount of drop can be substantial and are influenced by several factors, including:
-Swelling: The nose's shape may somewhat alter as the swelling goes down.   
-Individual anatomy: The degree of tip drop can be affected by the particular surgical procedures employed as well as the original shape of your nose.
-Surgical technique: The type of grafts utilized and the manner taken by your surgeon might have an impact on the result.
It's crucial to keep in mind that rhinoplasty effects could not become completely noticeable for many months or even a year.
Hope this was helpful
Best wishes
Dr Ali Sajjadian (Triple Board Certified plastic surgeon)

Homayoun Sasson, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for asking one of the most top questions after a nose job. Yes, most often than not the tip does drop a little after the cast has been taken off. The nose will reshape up to a year after surgery, so, many times the nose that you see right after the cast is taken off may not be the same exact nose that you may eventually end up with. There may be small and subtle changes as the nose heals. Usually, the nasal tip tends to look higher due to how the nose was taped. Keep in mind that you are not looking for the perfect nose, but, the nose that best perfectly fits your face.

Paul N. Afrooz, MD · Answer

The nasal tip has a tendency to look high immediately after surgery for several weeks. This is partly due to how the nose is taped sometimes after surgery. Every patient is different, and a lot of it depends on what was done during surgery, but on average, you may see a 1-2 mm drop in the tip over time.

2 weeks post-op. Will my tip drop following rhinoplasty? How many mms can I expect it to drop? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Nose tip

Answer: Nose tip

Answer: Tip Rotation

Answer: Tip Rotation

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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2 weeks post-op. Will my tip drop following rhinoplasty? How many mms can I expect it to drop? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Nose tip

Answer: Nose tip

Answer: Tip Rotation

Answer: Tip Rotation

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.