6 months out from rhinoplasty. Will my nose improve? (Photo)

Question

Had rhinoplasty 6 months ago. My nose is smaller in some way but it’s still really bulbous and asymmetrical, it was not asymmetrical before the surgery. My profile was also once smooth but after surgery isn't as much. Can I still experience significant improvement from here? The left side still has some swelling. Or can I expect for what you see to not change so much at this point.

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

Sorry, but we really don't expect large changes in the appearance of the nose after six months. Some changes in the width, but not in the profile view. It seems to me that you nose is still strong in its forward projection away from the face: the tip and bridge could be moved back closer to the face, and that little bump on the bridge, if it's still there in a couple months, could be removed. 
From the frontal view, it seems that the tip is still wide. While you probably still have some visible swelling from that view, it seems that the two cartilages that form the tip of the nose could still be wide and broad, and modifying those cartilages could help, along with further narrowing of the rest of the bridge.
How *much* to deproject the nose, or narrow the tip, or make other changes? We figure that out with morphs, well before surgery. I'd love for you to see some excellent professionally-designed morphs of what could possibly be done with your nose. Morphs could also help you identify better just what's bothering you, and help you set a goal for the rhinoplasty that's accurate for your tastes. Profile and three-quarter views would be particularly important in morphing your nose. (Side note: in my opinion, morphs should really be done by the surgeon, or he should direct an assistant as she makes the morphs. Morphs should be made with a constant eye to what actually *can* be done in surgery, for that particular nose, and the surgeon has that information and judgment best.)

Finally, remember that rhinoplasty is an exquisitely difficult operation to get right, and you should only have surgery if you are able to make yourself very confident in your surgeon's skills. The changes that your nose needs require advanced techniques, and skill that most plastic surgeons don't possess with expertise. It's much better to not have surgery than to have inexpertly-performed surgery. Read my essay on how to stay out of trouble while selecting a rhinoplasty surgeon. And it also discusses how to take photos that are best for online evaluations.

And for those who have had previous surgery, it also discusses how to tell whether your first surgeon should be performing your revision.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Even if you wait the usual 1 year postop you still will need revision rhinoplasty, sorry. Best to seek in person or virtual consults to plan the revision now. Expect fee in $10,000+ ranges.

6 months out from rhinoplasty. Will my nose improve? (Photo)

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6 months out from rhinoplasty. Will my nose improve? (Photo)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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