5 months post Rhinoplasty and my nose is still very hard. Is this normal?

Hello and thank you for your question. It is very normal to be swollen at 5 months postoperative. The dorsal aspect of the bridge of the nose will usually decrease earlier than the nasal tip swelling. Nasal tip swelling can sometimes take 6-12 months to fully resolve. I advise patients that the final result of rhinoplasty takes 12 months. If you had an open rhinoplasty, the nasal tip swelling may take 1-2 years to resolve. I recommend decreased salt intake and patience. I do not recommend steroid usage--this can impair wound healing and if injected can result in hypopigmentation. I recommend that you return to see your surgeon, as he/she will have a good idea of what to expect in regards to your specific progress, since they can evaluate you in relation to your preoperative appearance.Best wishes and good luck.

Thank you for your question. There are two aspects to answering this question. There is no doubt that the skin at the tip of the nose can remain indurated and feel firm for up to 12 to 18 months post surgery. So patience is a virtue particularly after rhinoplasty. The second aspect to answering your questions related to the specific surgery that was performed. Cartilage grafts used in the tip of the nose to aid with shape and structure can result in increased firmness to the tip. I discuss this possibility with all patients prior to surgery. RegardsDr Guy Watts

Hello, and thank you for the question. In general, it can take up to 18-24 months to see the final result of rhinoplasty. 70% of the swelling is resolved after the first 3 months and the remainder goes down over time. It is not abnormal for the nose to feel hard 5 months post-op. I would recommend speaking with your surgeon, as he/she knows the details of your procedure and will be able to advise you. I hope this information helps, and I wish you the best of luck.