6 months post-op - I have a flat columella due to tongue in groove. What will happen once the sutures are cut? (Photo)

Question

Hello, my surgeon used the tongue in groove during my primary septorhinoplasty with prolene sutures. My columella is completely flat, no nostril show. I loved my columella before and taking this away was never discussed. My surgeon said the sutures could be removed and “everything would fall back down.” I am 6 months post op and he said to wait until 6-9 months. He admitted to never cutting the sutures in a patient before. What will happen once they are cut? Thank you!

Brian M. Harmych, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photo. For a more accurate answer, please consider updating your photo to include a larger view. Ideally, at least a frontal and profile view would be provided. The columella isn't even showing here. My advice, at this point, would be to wait at least 12 months following surgery before undergoing any additional surgical procedures on the nose. Many issues, including the one you're describing, may resolve over time, without any intervention. Thank you again for sharing and good luck!
Kind regards,
Dr. Harmych

Akshay Sanan, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi realselfgirl7,
Thanks for your question. It is hard to see your columella in your uploaded photo. Can you upload a better photo showing your entire columella. I would recommend you wait a full year from your surgery prior to undergoing any revision procedure. Your columella may improve in that time. If it doesn't, removing the tongue and groove sutures is a possibility, but your columella may hang too much. This is a discussion to be had with your surgeon and/or a board certified facial plastic surgeon.
All the best,Dr. Sanan, MDAkshay Sanan MD Facial Plastic SurgeryLos Angeles, CA

6 months post-op - I have a flat columella due to tongue in groove. What will happen once the sutures are cut? (Photo)

Answers (2)