An asymmetrical nose tip after rhinoplasty is perfectly normal. Patients should expect and understand that swelling won't be the same on each side of their nose, thus causing the asymmetry. Other factors such as scar tissue formation, taping, sutures, and splints can also cause uneven nostrils.
Swelling during rhinoplasty recovery
Many factors could cause uneven nostrils for a short period after rhinoplasty surgery. For example, swelling may affect the appearance of each nostril differently. You can rest assured that your nostrils will return to normal size once your nose is fully healed.
It's normal to have uneven nostrils right after surgery. A variety of factors may be causing your nostrils to look uneven for a short period of time, including swelling, the formation of scar tissue, splints, and taping. Once the nose fully heals, many see that their nostrils return to a more symmetric size.
Surgical Rhinoplasty to Correct Uneven Nostrils
To surgically fix the deviated septum, Dr. Hershcovtich must reposition the existing septum or remove the deviated part of cartilage and reconstruct a new, straight section of cartilage usually taken from a different part of the septum.
For example, did you know that your nostrils can be different sizes? Your nostrils and nasal cavity are divided into halves by your nasal septum. Ideally, that separation should be equal, but in as many as 80% of the population, it isn't. This asymmetrical quality is what's called a deviated septum.
How long do asymmetrical nostrils after rhinoplasty last? These side effects, including swelling and asymmetry, will fade over time as the initial recovery period ends at around two weeks.
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.
It may take a few months for your nasal skin to completely return to normal after rhinoplasty.
The nose is made almost entirely of cartilages rather than bone. As such, even though you won't notice significant changes after the rhinoplasty, you might see small and barely-perceptible changes over extended periods, like years and decades, due to cartilage changes.
Flared Nostrils After Rhinoplasty
If the size of the nose changes, but the nostril size does not, they can have a flared appearance. It is also possible that the contoured nasal tip is not projecting as far, causing the base of the nose to settle, creating nostril flaring. Don't panic.
You may have some itching or shooting pain as the feeling returns. If bones were broken during your surgery, you will need to avoid injury to your nose for about 3 months. In 3 to 4 weeks, you should have a good idea as to what your nose will look like. It can take up to a year to see the final result.
3-4 Months
Keep in mind that the tip, or bottom third of the nose often remains a little swollen. Although it is difficult, it is extremely important to be patient throughout this process, as the swelling that persists in the tip may cause your nose to appear asymmetrical or bulbous.
For an overly arched nostril, which results in too much nostril show, the nasal tip cartilages may be manipulated, or cartilage grafts may be used to further drive the nostril margins downward. Cartilage grafts may also be placed into the rims of the nostrils to help straighten them from an overly arched configuration.
Some patients may notice they seem to have a piggy nose after rhinoplasty. This is common and should not be a cause for concern. A nose upturned after rhinoplasty is mostly due to swelling and should resolve as the nose continues to heal.
Uneven nostrils are most often the result of a deviated septum, which is characterized by misalignment of the nasal septum (or the cartilage which separates the nostrils). Deviated septums can also cause frequent nosebleeds and congestion, as well as complications with airflow.
The airflow between both nostrils is not always equal. The air flowing into one nostril is often greater than the other due to a process known as the nasal cycle. Therefore, a person may feel they are breathing more through one nostril than the other.
When a camera lens is very close to your face, your nose is nearer to the camera relative to the rest of your face, and will therefore look larger. But when you step away from the camera, the relative distance between your nose and the rest of the face flattens — making your nose appear more proportionate.
The nose will be rather swollen and upturned once the cast is removed. The taping helps reduce swelling and promote healing. The tape should be worn continuously until the second week after surgery. The third and fourth week you will tape your own nose before you sleep.
No nose picking and/or nose blowing for 14 days after surgery. Use nasal saline sprays (2-3 sprays in each nostril) at least three times daily to moisturize your nose for the first 2 weeks after surgery.
Sleeping on your side after rhinoplasty isn't just uncomfortable – it can prolong your recovery time by causing additional bruising and swelling. More frighteningly, it can displace your nose. To avoid this, you'll need to keep your head elevated at night for 6 weeks following surgery.
But, again, depending on the extent of your rhinoplasty and your body's healing process, your nose may not yet look exactly as you're hoping. In many cases, it can take more than a year for the swelling to subside. Months 6-12: Within a year, most people can see the final results of their rhinoplasty procedure.
Often patients who undergo rhinoplasty in Toronto find that the lips and smile may seem different after a rhinoplasty. This is because sometimes, when extensive work is done, the muscles that are responsible for pulling up the upper lip when you smile, are temporarily weakened.
One of the most common questions patients have for Rhinoplasty aftercare includes – Can I touch my nose three weeks after Rhinoplasty? Well, the answer is yes, you may touch but very softly and sensitively, only if required.
Warning signs include a fever or more bleeding, drainage from the nose or the incisions, or more pain, swelling or bruising than expected. Call your doctor or seek medical attention if you experience these problems.