Why did my nose start changing again after rhinoplasty?

Question

I had rhinoplasty, and my nose started to "droop down" a little and became a lot larger in size and in shape over the past 3 years. Why is that? Is there a way to have rhinoplasty to stop this from happening?

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. After having analyzed all the info and photos provided to us, i recommend to perform a Secondary Rhinoplasty (not a tip revision) this means (basically) treat the nasal bones and the nasal cartilages.Therefore i would perform a narrowing of the nasal base (nose osteotomy) and alar and triangular cartilage shaping.Respectfully,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

The nose can continue to change throughout our lives.  Usually the changes are subtle and do not affect away her nose looks and any significant way.  However sometimes the nose can drop or become longer or wider looking with time.  A revision surgery can certainly change that and most likely will not continue to enlarge or become wider after a second surgery.RegardsDr. J

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Any changes in appearance after liposuction are due to resolution of swelling. There will not be anatomic changes unrelated to swelling within the tissues. It would be interesting to see some photographs.

Mark Been, MD · Answer

Thanks for your post. I would be interested to see your photos for further insight. Depending on the techniques used during your previous rhinoplasty, there may not have been enough tip support. Over the years, the tip can droop as a result. Scar tissue can develop under the skin that can cause the nose, particularly the tip, the enlarge. Rhinoplasty is a challenging enterprise because the nose can continue to change over the years following surgery. I would continue to follow up with your surgeon so he or she is aware of the changes. Good luck!

Mario J. Imola, MD, DDS · Answer

Generally, if adequate support is not built into the tip support framework, healing and gravity will work to draw the tip down over time.  This process can occur months and years following rhinoplasty.Mario J. Imola, MD, DDS, FRCSC, FACS.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

The nose changes through one's lifetime.  Hard to say without an exam and a review of your photos. Best of luck.

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

Plastic surgery is one time event. It fixes but does not change future changes. Life goes on. Bodies keep on changing. So does the nose.

Sunny Park, MD, MPH · Answer

Whether you've had a rhinoplasty or not, the nose changes as a result of the aging process.  The nose will generally start to droop ever so slightly just as every other part of your body starts to do the same.  With that being said, a nose that has gone through surgery will also change with time but sometimes more significantly.  However, by using good techniques and judiciously removing small amounts of cartilage/tissues only if necessary, there is less likelihood that the nose will change in structure significantly at a later time.  It is difficult to say anything specific as there are no pictures in your case.  In the end, it is important to go to a surgeon who understands the long term effects/changes of a rhinoplasty.

Richard A. Zoumalan, MD · Answer

Rhinoplasty results depend on technique and how you heal. Generally, it is possible that noses can drop over time and appear larger. There are certain techniques available that can minimize this.

Ludwig A. Allegra, MD · Answer

Difficult to evaluate without images; however, the common cause for this "problem" is the loss of tip support. If the tip then starts to lose projection it will look "squatter" and broader-essentially "bigger".  Conversely the tip with good support will help to maintain the integrity of the lower cartilage position of the tip and be more elegant. Changes very often can happen even over many years and the tip and "supratip" areas are the most vulnerable to these. This is why The best long term results are achieved by accurate assessmnt, restoration, and maintenance of very solid tip support.

Why did my nose start changing again after rhinoplasty?

Answers (11)

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