What is the "wrapping" or "taping" your nose for, besides to help swelling after rhinoplasty?

Dear Little Lightening in Yucaipa:
Not all surgeons agree that taping is necessary after
rhinoplasty. My view is that once the
protective plastic shield is taken off, which is usually in four to five days
after surgery, the rest is up to nature.
Applying tape and then removing tape creates a little bit of additional
insult to the tissue, and I see no value in it.
Remember, swelling, like bruising, always goes away. It may take a few days more or less, but by
the rules of nature, have to disappear.
Some medication, such as Arnica and even some prescription medications,
such as steroids, can be helpful in reducing swelling, but the truth is, the
less the nose is tampered with, after surgery, the better. Nature will do a good job.
Best wishes,
Robert
Kotler, MD, FACS 

While taping/splinting after a rhinoplasty certainly helps keep down some of the swelling, the other very important role that it plays is to get the skin to stick down as soon as possible to the underlying reshaped osteocartilaginous framework. This helps prevent too much scar tissue from forming under the skin which can partially obscure the details of the nose shape created surgically.

 After the surgical rhinoplasty procedure has been performed, tape and an Aquaplast  are applied across the bridge of the nose and left in place for 6- 7days. For some patients who have residual swelling in the tip of the nose, starting at about one month after the surgical procedure,Blenderm tape can be applied at night across the tip of the nose to help prevent fluid retention in the tip itself. A low salt diet also helps prevent fluid retention in the tip of the nose in the postoperative period. Choose your rhinoplasty surgeon very wisely, since experience really does matter

Dear Littlelightening, I use a splint with tape under the splint for seven days post surgery . At the seventh day the splint is removed and I do not require my patient's to tape their nose further after splint removal. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.

In addition to restrictions swelling it holds radix and dorsal grafts, and tip in desired positions and cushions skin from splint or cast 

On average, the nose is taped and a splint applied at the end of the surgical procedure.  This is usually left on for 7 to 10 days.  Every patient heals different, and your surgeon will guide you through recovery.