3 Weeks Post Op and my Tip is Exactly the Same As Pre Op. It's Not Swelling, is It?

Question

I have uploaded some pictures of before & after. The tip is exactly the same. My radix was augmented, I had an alar based reduction, the tip & the supra tip was meant to be reduced but it hasn't. Surely even if a part of the nose is swollen you can still tell the different shape from underneath the swelling? My surgeon wants to try steroid injections next week (It will be 4 weeks post op) but I don't know because I have heard of complications you can get from these. Is the tip the same? Thanks

Paul S. Nassif, MD · Answer

Hello,

	Three weeks is still very soon after your procedure, and you are still experiencing swelling. Swelling is especially an issue when tip work was performed.  The nose will be 70% healed after the first three months, and the remainder will go down over time. The final result of a rhinoplasty is not evident for 18-24 months following surgery. I would recommend discussing any immediate post-operative concerns with your surgeon, as he/she knows the extent of your surgery and exactly what was performed. Thanks, and I hope this helps answer your question.

	Dr. Nassif

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

The pictures reveal swelling in the tip at 3 weeks which is completely predictable.  It looks like you are on the way to good result with time.  Be patient.

Christopher Kolstad, MD · Answer

Swelling and other soft tissue changes along the tip of the nose take time to evolve after rhinoplasty. The skin is a little thicker in this area and months are required for it to shrink-wrap to the underlying framework. The skin over the bridge of the nose is very thin and reveals changes much earlier.

Hope this helps

Hope this helps

Aaron Stone, MD · Answer

The after photo looks immensely improved on the side view. The front view just looks like swelling of the tip as would be expected. Sleeping on 2 pillows and keeping you head elevated will do more to relieve swelling with less risk of side effects than any injections.
	
	I hope you realize that this format of posting questions and receiving answers lacks the face to face direct communication required for you to make an informed decision regarding your surgery.
	
	My response to your question/post does not represent formal medical advice or constitute a doctor patient relationship. You need to consult with i.e. personally see a board certified plastic surgeon in order to receive a formal evaluation and develop a doctor patient relationship.

Thomas A. Lamperti, MD · Answer

It's way too soon to be assess your tip results from your rhinoplasty. The tip normally has swelling that persists the longest after surgery and it is quite normal to have at this stage.

	Continue following up with your surgeon to make sure everything is healing normally. Steroids can help if there's a concern for excessive swelling or scar tissue formation. In the right situations it is safe to do.

3 Weeks Post Op and my Tip is Exactly the Same As Pre Op. It's Not Swelling, is It?

Answers (9)