Only One Nostril Moves After Rhinoplasty

Changes in breathing and movement of the nose occur over many months after rhinoplasty.  The movement of the nostrils are caused by muscles that pull from the outside, as well as air movement.  Since it has only been 2 weeks after your surgery, give it some time to see what happens, and if you have any more concerns follow up with your surgeon.  Hope this helps,

Jason C. Lichtenberger, MD

Some movement of the nostril toward the middle of the nose is normally seen on inspiration and is caused by the same rules of physics that cause a straw to partially collapse when drinking a thick milkshake.  To some degree, this movement is dependent on nostril flexibility.  In the early postoperative period following a rhinoplasty, swelling may cause stiffening of one or both nostrils thereby decreasing their flexibility and therefore ability to move.  Full healing following a rhinoplasty can take between 9 and 12 months, so time is definitely on your side.  That being said, be sure to mention it to your surgeon on your next visit for his advice and reassurance.

Yes, the swelling after a Rhinoplasty combined with the surgical trauma of lifting the nasal tissues can explain this and you should be careful not to move your nostrils to much at this early post op phase as you can create bleeding within the tissues.

Movement of nostrils with breathing is dependent on some muscle activity and the underlying structural architecture of the nose.  You still have a tremendous amount of healing to do.  I would wait at least three months and then see if there are some remaining assymetry issues.  I suspect they will resolve with time.

All the best,

Tal Raine MD