Swollen and Big Nose Tip After 3 Months of Rhinoplasty? (photo)

3 months is still soon after your surgery, and you will still have swelling at this time. It can take 18-24 months to see the final result of your procedure. 70% of the swelling is resolved after the first three months, and the remainder goes down over time. Swelling can be influenced by the thickness of the patient's skin, whether tip work was performed, whether the procedure was a revision, and whether the surgery was open or closed. Having thick skin, it is not uncommon for your swelling to last a while. It is important to be patient during the healing process, and the best thing you can do is wait and see how you continue to heal. Keep in touch with your surgeon throughout the process, as they will be able to answer any questions you have. I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck.

Hello and thank you for your question. That at three months postop, you are still very swollen, which is very expected. The final results take at least 1.5 years for the swelling to fully resolve. This can require lots of patience and waiting. Steroid injections performed by your surgeon can be extremely helpful. I usually start steroid injections around 1 to 2 months after surgery and continue as needed. Most patients are able to return to work and resume exercise one week after surgery. I recommend that you maintain close follow up with your qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

As a specialist in rhinoplasty surgery, my staff and I make a very strong point to explain to patients before surgery what to expect after surgery. It’s always easier to comprehend the role of swelling when it is described in advance. Depending on the surgical maneuvers used, it is likely perfectly normal to still have some swelling if your skin is thick and oily. You will not see the full results for as much as a year – particularly on the tip, which takes the longest time for the swelling to subside. You appear to have good early results, and I already see that the dorsal bump is gone. So it’s important to be patient and you will see your results will continue to improve. I recommend following up closely with your plastic surgeon to discuss your concerns in person.