While every patient and every procedure is different, most of the swelling will go down within the first month following surgery, and about 90% of all swelling should subside within the first three months. However, the full result is in the last 10% — where the tip and bridge definition is maximized.
The initial swelling from surgery will be worst within the first week and should have subsided after about 10 days. However, some slight swelling due to fluid retention can remain for several months and up to a year after your surgery.
For the first few days, there is significant swelling, you'll feel tender, and you'll be unable to breathe through the nose. The nasal dressings, splint, and sutures are typically removed after 7 days. You may experience some bruising as well as puffiness in the tip of the nose, and around the eyes, cheeks, and lips.
Swelling After Your Procedure. As with any surgical procedure, tenderness and swelling will be present after your rhinoplasty. Because you will not experience this swelling exactly the same on each side, asymmetry after rhinoplasty is normal.
The most common cause of uneven nostrils after rhinoplasty is swelling. When tissue is manipulated or removed, it can lead to asymmetry in the healing process. This swelling can last for weeks, or even months in some cases. In addition to swelling, scarring can also contribute to uneven nostrils after surgery.
Unfortunately, some people find that their nostrils are asymmetrical after rhinoplasty. If your nostrils seem uneven almost immediately following surgery, don't panic! They should return to normal after your initial recovery period has ended.
At three months, almost all swelling has gone down permanently, and the nose looks basically like the final result. It will take a year or two for the nose to totally settle into its new structure, but at three months, the vast majority of rhinoplasty recovery is complete.
Three weeks post-rhinoplasty, about 70 percent of swelling is gone. This is the time when a patient starts to recognize the changes and begins to appreciate the new shape of his or her nose. It's ok, actually quite normal, to feel a little self conscious at this time.
Use ice packs or cool compresses on areas around your nose which are swollen or bruised. Don't apply ice directly to your nose or the skin on your face. Natural supplements such as arnica and bromelain may help to aid the healing process and reduce any swelling and bruising after surgery.
Bulbous Tip Rhinoplasty Recovery
The nose will still be swollen, but not noticeable. Swelling will decline as the months pass — three weeks after the procedure, 20-30 percent of the swelling will be down. Six weeks following the procedure, 50-60 percent of swelling will be down.
As a general rule, half of the swelling in the nasal tip will be gone after a month, but it will take at least a year for the tip to reach its final shape.
The result of rhinoplasty is usually satisfactory at the end of the operation, but four to six weeks later we unfortunately observe that the tip occasionally droops.
The average recovery period is typically 7 to 10 days, but it always depends on the individual. Some rhinoplasties are accompanied by correction of a deviated septum to improve breathing or reduce the turbinates to also improve breathing and improve symptoms of allergy.
Taping can be effective to subside the swelling and shrink the skin down. It doesn't, however, affect the shape and form of the nose.
After about 6 weeks your nose will be roughly as strong as it was before the operation. The strength of the nose returns faster than the sensitivity subsides. So, even though the nose may be quite strong, it will still feel quite delicate and sensitive to the touch.
It is often not mentioned in our pre-operative consultation but cheek swelling is actually fairly common after a rhinoplasty. Patients often notice a change in the shape of their overall face as the swelling tends to accumulate in the lower parts of the face along the jawline.
Walking after rhinoplasty is great for a few reasons. It helps you avoid boredom, for one thing. It can also help keep you regular and can help reduce muscle soreness or weakness, which can result if you sit still for too long. Walking also gets your blood flowing, which helps reduce swelling.
Taping the bridge of the nose and the area above the tip can significantly reduce postoperative swelling. Gentle pressure from tape can help drain some of the fluid trapped in the tissues and better organize the scarred tissue. This helps to diminish puffiness.
Smiling and laughing 2 weeks after a Rhinoplasty should not have any impact on the final result.
The first week is the most critical period for rhinoplasty healing. After 7-10 days, patients can begin to use other sleeping positions. Be careful to avoid putting pressure on the nose, and if you can sleep comfortably on your back while elevated, continue to do so.
Days 1 to 3
During the first 72 hours after your rhinoplasty, focus on taking it easy and letting your body rest. This is usually when the most tenderness, swelling and bruising will occur. Applying a cold compress every hour or so can help to make you more comfortable.
Answer: Shape change after rhinoplasty
The nose tends to hold in to swelling longer than many other body parts. It swells asymmetrically and the swelling resolves asymmetrically. So the shape appears to change a lot during its post op period.
Swelling. Every operation, no matter how minor, is accompanied by swelling of the surrounding tissues. The amount of swelling varies from person to person. Because of the looseness of facial tissue, the swelling is more pronounced in this area, and your facial features may appear distorted.
Additional dos and don'ts after rhinoplasty include: Don't touch your nose: Patients should take great care to avoid putting any pressure on their nose, including even touching the nose, for at least 1 – 2 weeks after surgery, or until Dr. Khorsandi advises that it is okay to do so.