Concern after Rhinoplasty.

[Toudi]

Hi, I am 4 weeks post my rhinoplsty.  Everything went very well.  I am concerned with one of the nostrils being slightly smaller then the other.  I was told by my doctor that the swelling is going to take a while to fully come down and it could be that the swelling is coming down unevenly.  Even so, I am worried that one of my nostrils is closing in more then the other.  Is that possible?  Is there some kind gel like thing I can put inside my nose to support it so I doesn't get any smaller?  I know I am still in the healing process and my nose will keep changing shape for up to a year.  But at the same time, I don't want to wait a year to find out that I could have supported my nose and that it would heal evenly.  What do you suggest I do?

[mlb1234]

hi toudi.  i have always wanted to get my nose done but am too embarassed to go through with it.  what did you tell the people you work with?  is the difference very obvious?

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

At only four weeks post-surgery, there is still significant swelling and scarring beneath the nasal tip skin and nostrils.  Nevertheless, nostril asymmetry noted at this time may become less noticable but not completely resolve over time.  This may be due to pre-existing asymmetry that is now more visible to you due to closer inspection of your nose or be a result of this remaining swelling.

An external split or gel application will not likely do anything to reduce or more rapidly resolve the problem.  It will improve with time and not get worse.