Nose Tip Position After Rhinoplasty
It is usually the case the following rhinoplasty surgery the tip appears over corrected.
This is both intentional from your surgeon and also an effect of the splint that was on your nose after surgery.
Usually by about one month following surgery this has improved greatly, but ultimately the final position of the tip as well as the overall final results requires between 9 and 12 months to see. (Cory Goldberg, MD, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)
Tip Upturned Shortly After Rhinoplasty
This is a common visual finding right after rhinoplasty. While it is true that overrotation can be permanent, in most cases it comes down.
Your surgeon likely set your rotation to the proper level if he or she is an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon.
What happens after is purely my theory, but the swelling and fluid underneath the skin is greater in the early postop period as compared to the outermost skin.
This creates a pull on the skin envelope that can make it looks as though the nose is overrotated. There is also the notion of overcorrection, which means that your surgeon may rotated your nose more now in anticipation of your nose settling with time. (Michael M. Kim, MD, Portland Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Expect some correction over the next few months
It is typical for you to notice what appears to be an overcorrection or sometimes the appearance may not look as you imagined the results to be immediately post-op. It is normal for swelling to be present a few days after surgery and this tends to exaggerate any refinements that were done to the tip of the nose.
Also, typically surgeons will tape the tip of the nose for further support in the immediate post-operative period and this will contribute to the appearance of the nose being upturned.
The final result will improve and there should be further correction. This should occur over the next 3-4 months and expect final results at 1 year. (Kristina Tansavatdi, MD, Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon)
PostOperative Recovery & What to Expect Following Rhinoplasty
It’s not unusual for rhinoplasty patients to be concerned about the appearance of their nose in the immediate post-operative period. Following this procedure significant changes occur in the soft tissue of the nose. This results in a very dynamic healing process that can last for several months. These changes are often the result of soft tissue release, swelling and a multitude of technical maneuvers performed by the surgeon. In most cases, swelling slowly resolves and the tip gradually drops into a more normal position.
In other cases, the surgeon may have performed surgical maneuvers to suspend the nasal tip in an upward direction. Under these circumstances, the nasal tip will probably remain elevated. It’s important that you discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon. Your surgeon should be able to explain what has been done during your surgical procedure and reassure you regarding your result. (Richard J. Bruneteau, MD, Omaha Plastic Surgeon)
Tip Rotation and Settling after Rhinoplasty
In many cases, when tip rotation is necessary as part of rhinoplasty, some degree of over-correction is performed during the surgery. This allows the nose to settle in a more ideal orientation.
The process of settling and resolution of swelling generally takes a few months. Please stay in touch with your surgeon during this time. (Evan Ransom, MD, Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Post-op swelling after rhinoplasty
Your physician is the best judge of your post -op course, because he or she knows what was done at surgery. The tip of your nose will almost certainly drop, but it will take several weeks to do so and be quite gradual so somewhat hard for you to notice.
The initial swelling and taping will contribute to the temporary elevation of the tip, but also helps hold down swelling.
Even if the goal was to rotate was the tip upward, there is always some settling downward. (W. Tracy Hankins, MD, Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon)
Usually the tip comes down some.
Your surgeon knows what he/she did to change the tip. If the doctor says it will come down, most likely it will.
Swelling in the upper lip and the base of the nose can cause it to look to elevated initially. It may take 6-8 weeks. (Stuart H. Bentkover, MD, Boston Facial Plastic Surgeon)