Please advise what the severity of getting an accidental head bump against my nose 17 days post open rhinoplasty. (photo)

Question

17 days post open Rhinoplasty, a women I was standing close to accidently bumped into my nose going upwards. Not sure how hard the impact although it hurt. It's been 4 days since the impact and my nose is more swollen on the middle bridge section and feels swollen inside. I am going to see my surgeon about this tomorrow. There is pain from the impact in the left side inside at the mid bridge of my nose. Please advise what could have gone wrong in this instance. The anxiety is taking me over.

John Layke, DO, FACS · Answer

17-days after a rhinoplasty, your nose is still susceptible to damage from minor trauma, as it is still healing.  Your surgeon will be able to examine you and properly instruct  you next.  It will likely be that nothing is done and they will wait for the swelling to subside to fully appreciate whether or not there was any damage done.  Good luck!

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear Andy Manner,

Certainly a strong head butt to a freshly operated on nose,
17 days following open rhinoplasty can result in traumatic displacement injury
to the operative site.  Displacement of
infractured nasal bones or disruption and instability and even alteration in
the position of structured and sutured cartilages can change the shape of the
nose 17 days after nose surgery and following an injury to the nose.

It is also entirely possible that no long-term displacement
or injury occurred to the nose that would affect the aesthetic outcome and a
visit with your surgeon and a thorough examination should be able to
distinguish whether or not post-injury manipulation or treatment of the nose is
required.

Rest assured that usually there is no sustained trauma and
even if there is it is correctable and that you should anticipate still an
excellent outcome for your cosmetic rhinoplasty procedure.

For more information, please review the link below.

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

Without an exam, it is impossible to determine the damage that was done.  At 17 days post op, your nose is still healing and is not stable.  I am glad you are seeing your Plastic Surgeon tomorrow. Best wishes!

Please advise what the severity of getting an accidental head bump against my nose 17 days post open rhinoplasty. (photo)

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Please advise what the severity of getting an accidental head bump against my nose 17 days post open rhinoplasty. (photo)

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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