Sometimes, a nose will even look bigger the first few months after surgery than it did before the rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty takes a long time to heal because it isn't just the skin that was traumatized: The bone and cartilage must heal as well. The inflammatory response is nature's way of responding to an injury.
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.
Swelling After Surgery
Generally, swelling is the most common reason why your nose looks bigger after rhinoplasty, which is completely normal. 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.
It is normal to have edema (swelling) of the nose after rhinoplasty. This can last for up to several months.
Crooked nose tip after rhinoplasty
This is quite normal, particularly if different parts of your nose are healing at different rates. For example, swelling in the bridge of your nose may subside sooner than swelling in the tip of your nose, causing temporary crookedness.
Sometimes, a nose will even look bigger the first few months after surgery than it did before the rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty takes a long time to heal because it isn't just the skin that was traumatized: The bone and cartilage must heal as well.
Rhinoplasty swelling lasts for several months, even up to a year or longer. Fortunately, a majority of the swelling resolves soon after surgery. The nose may swell a little bit before shrinking back down after the nasal cast comes off one week after surgery.
Usually, the swelling dissipates by 12-14 months after your rhinoplasty. Now remember, this is swelling at the tip of your nose. Usually things look great, but the final result is often hidden by some of this swelling. This is often the hardest part of the surgery: waiting for the swelling to go away.
The swelling gradually resolves as the tissues heal and the lymphatic channels get re-established. By 6 months approximately 80% of the swelling has resolved. However, this is it not the same in every patient.
Fortunately, a great deal of rhinoplasty swelling will subside within just 2 – 3 weeks. By about two months after surgery, virtually all swelling will have resolved.
I made sure the patient knew this before surgery, but many times my words are forgotten during the excitement of a patient seeing their new nose for the first time, but it's important to remember that the nose will continue to get smaller over time.
Over the years, after rhinoplasty, your nose may appear to get smaller and thinner because the thickness of your skin changes with time. As some of the underlying fatty tissue of your skin gets depleted with age and sun exposure, the skin gets thinner.
When you undergo a Rhinoplasty procedure, post-operative swelling is to be expected and may last for up to a year following your surgery. This isn't to say your nose will look appear swollen, but your tissue and cartilage are still going through the healing process and necessary changes.
So how long should you wait to undergo revision rhinoplasty if you are dissatisfied with the results of a previous rhinoplasty procedure? My advice for the majority of individuals is to wait until all swelling has subsided following their original surgery, which could take as long as six months to a year.
One potential cause for bulbous appearance of the nose is the development of scar tissue at the nasal tip. This does not occur right away, but rather may develop over time. Sometimes injection of steroid may be of benefit. You may wish to consider consulting with your original surgeon.
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.
Four to six weeks after rhinoplasty, we observe occasional dropping of the nasal tip due to several causes [5]. Such causes may include scar contractures, weight of the nose, and the action of the depressor septi nasi muscle [5].
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.
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.
The skin and structures of the nose lose strength with age, resulting in a nose that stretches out and sags downward. The glands within the nose skin, especially at the tip, may enlarge, causing a wider, heavier nose appearance.
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.
Moderate exercise like walking can help blood flow and circulate oxygen to help lessen swelling, but avoid any strenuous activity as you heal. Keep your body hydrated by drinking lots of water the week before your surgery, and continue hydration post-operation.
Swelling can persist for a year, and sometimes longer. This is especially true of the tip of the nose. Fortunately, most swelling will subside within two months, and you should be ready to present your new facial profile to the world in about two weeks.