Tip swelling after rhinoplasty

The tip and columella (the strip of tissue between the nostrils) are the most dependent parts of the nose, and therefore, the swelling in these areas lasts the longest.

Almost certainly the swelling of the columella will decrease given several more months and the definition of that area should improve.

The area above the tip already looks good. The only times to perform revision surgery in less than a year are when there is an obvious persistent bony deformity or if a tip graft suture breaks and it clearly rotates under the skin (which is quite rare).

So give it some time and you should see a nice improvement. (Andrew Miller, MD, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)

If, after 1 or 2 years, you still feel you want to change the tip, see your surgeon and discuss the situation then. But remember every operation has risks, and in your case, it appears that you have a very good result.

Sometimes it’s better to leave well enough alone. (Darrick E. Antell, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)

It will take 1 -2 years for all of the swelling to be gone from the tip of your nose. Try to enjoy the postive changes that have occured and just give it some time. (Daniel Sherick, MD, San Francisco Plastic Surgeon)

Tip swelling after rhinoplasty can take a year or more to resolve

Your nose, particularly the tip can be swollen for well over a year. Let it settle, and keep your surgeon informed of how you feel and what you think.

Tip swelling after rhinoplasty surgery

The shape will keep getting better over the coming months. If you choose to re-operate too quickly, then your outcome will be less predictable.

If you think about it, your nose is still healing, and the tip swelling after rhinoplasty is still slowly going away. Asking a surgeon to reshape your nose while your nose itself is undergoing remodeling and reshaping is like opening a box of worms. It’s too unpredictable. Often, the hardest thing to do is to wait. In this case, it’s also the right thing to do. (Edward S. Lee, MD, Englewood Plastic Surgeon)

Too early to tell

You are still very early in your recovery period and the tip of the nose takes the longest to see the full effects. It is very common to have rounding of the end of the nose for the first 8 – 12 months.

Tip swelling after rhinoplasty round

At 4 months there is still tip swelling after rhinoplasty present, gently massage of the nose can be beneficial especially in this early time period. It is most important that you wait until all of the swelling has resolved. If you reach the one year point and are still not satisfied with the result then it may be time to seek another opinion. (Jeffrey Zwiren, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)

Nasal revision surgery

It is difficult to tell from the single view that you posted. However, I will tell you that 4 months is still a bit early to make a final assessment. I usually wait at least 6 months to 1 year. Remember revision surgery is a potential for more problems. Often, patients find after they have had multiple revisions, that they would have preferred to be back to an earlier result. (Steven Wallach, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)

Caution with nasal revision is best

Tip swelling after rhinoplasty during 1 year

Your picture shows a result that is quite nice and I am certain that the tip of the nose is still stiff. You may not be completely sold on the result however four months is too soon to give final judgement.Revision is possible at this time but I would urge caution.

I see softening and refinement in most after a year or more.You can discuss the healing process with your surgeon, and try computer simulation to help anticipate if your revision would be worth taking a chance with a good result. (Peter E. Johnson, MD, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)

Further reduction of the tip

Further reduction in the tip (making it smaller) will indeed make the tip smaller, but the lines you are starting to see on the sides of the tip will become deeper as it becomes overresected.

If you place cartilage grafts into the tip, even if you secure them in place with an open rhinoplasty, these can shift and warp over the years and cause a change in your appearance. You have a pretty face (and nose), and you may definitely want to hold off on further surgery. We have a saying in plastic surgery “The enemy of good is better”. (Brent Moelleken, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)