Why Does My Nose Look Bigger After Rhinoplasty?

In a rhinoplasty, the cartilage in the bone serves as the infrastructure, and the skin is lifted off of it. We re-drape the skin after making those changes to the infrastructure. The new shape of the nose develops as it heals, but immediately following surgery, especially in patients with thick skin and large pores, the skin thickens and swells.

Particularly if we are narrowing the tip, it can take some time for the skin to re-blanket the nose and for us to notice the definition. As a result, the nose may appear larger. If the patient has thin skin and a very bony, structural  nose , however, once we remove that structure, it seems smaller right away.

How long does it take after rhinoplasty for your nose to look normal?

The anatomy of the nose, the thickness of the skin, and the procedures being performed all affect how long it will take for your nose to look normal following rhinoplasty. There are variations among rhinoplasties. Some patients are having their first or second rhinoplasties, whereas others are. There are those who have thick skin and those who have thinner skin. Others have a bulge on the bridge, a long nose, or a wide nose, while some patients are only looking for a tip modification. All of these things affect how hard the procedure is and how long it takes to get better.
The skin will thicken more following surgery than it did following a patient’s original rhinoplasty if they are having a revision rhinoplasty. However, after a revision rhinoplasty, it often takes longer to see the full effects. While a person with a long, bony nose will see changes fairly quickly, even though the ultimate outcome is not yet obvious, a patient with thick skin who is having their tip defined won’t see results right away.

When should I think about having a revision nose job?

You shouldn’t think about having a revision rhinoplasty before a year to a year and a half because it takes 12 to 18 months to see the ultimate results of a rhinoplasty and the nose changes even more after that. I understand that a nose might continue to change for a number of years when I see one where too much cartilage has been removed during a previous procedure.If the patient waits to see if they like their final result, a second surgery can be avoided because the nose continues to alter. On the other hand, some patients may be pleased with their nose operation at first but later become dissatisfied. After surgery, the nose may appear normal for a year or two, but as it contracts over time, it can become pinched or excessively upturned. Usually, that’s when I see patients, but occasionally, individuals get impatient and get upset if their nose is not perfect when the bandages are off.

I just cut a patient’s split off their nose, and as soon as they saw themselves in the mirror, they stated, “I’m already thinking about a revision.” What? Large pores on this patient’s skin will hinder the skin from immediately contracting and redraping over the new nasal structure. Before surgery, I made sure the patient understood this, but frequently my warnings are overlooked as they experience the joy of seeing their new nose for the first time. It’s crucial to remember that the nose will continue to shrink over time.

The most frequent query posted online by people who have had rhinoplasty is, “Three weeks after surgery, my nose still appears too big. Will it decrease in size? It will indeed get smaller. Will it be everything they desire? It’s impossible for me to say for sure, but I am confident that it will shrink. The swelling will diminish as the wound contracts and heals.

I’d be happy to speak with you if you have a problem from a previous nose surgery and you’re not entirely sure what’s going on. I’m always available by phone or email. I frequently assist individuals who have had previous nasal surgery. Please call me.