The results of rhinoplasty surgery will be long-lasting. While initial swelling subsides within a few weeks, it may take up to a year for your new nasal contour to fully refine. During this time you may notice gradual changes in the appearance of your nose as it refines to a more permanent outcome.
“Ultimately, it takes about six months after an internal approach rhinoplasty, and as long as a year or two after external approach rhinoplasty to see the final result.”
Every patient is different, so recovery times vary, but generally speaking, most patients can expect to look “normal” after about three to four weeks, with a small amount of residual swelling and tenderness lasting about three months — though it is usually only noticeable to the patient themselves.
After about 6 weeks your nose will be roughly as strong as it was before the operation. The strength of the nose returns faster than the sensitivity subsides. So, even though the nose may be quite strong, it will still feel quite delicate and sensitive to the touch.
Answer: Nose will not continue to shrink after rhinoplasty
Following rhinoplasty, the nose will continue to change over the course of up to one year. After this point, the nose will not likely change further, other than natural aging.
For the first few weeks after surgery your nose may appear larger than it was before surgery because of the swelling, which will gradually subside. This process is typically complete 6-12 months after surgery though some patients have reported swelling continuing to go down up to 18 months after.
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.
3-6 months: The numbness and abnormal sensations in your nose and nasal skin should be resolved. 1 Year: The healing process is complete – swelling should have subsided entirely and the nose's new shape is fully refined.
Smiling and laughing 2 weeks after a Rhinoplasty should not have any impact on the final result.
Additional dos and don'ts after rhinoplasty include: Don't touch your nose: Patients should take great care to avoid putting any pressure on their nose, including even touching the nose, for at least 1 – 2 weeks after surgery, or until Dr. Khorsandi advises that it is okay to do so.
Swelling. Every operation, no matter how minor, is accompanied by swelling of the surrounding tissues. The amount of swelling varies from person to person. Because of the looseness of facial tissue, the swelling is more pronounced in this area, and your facial features may appear distorted.
Rhinoplasty usually takes about a year to heal. It's a traumatic operation that affects many of the tissues in your nose. Looking swollen and bulbous at 8 months is perfectly normal.
The result of rhinoplasty is usually satisfactory at the end of the operation, but four to six weeks later we unfortunately observe that the tip occasionally droops.
2 - 3 Months Post-Rhinoplasty
By this point, any swelling around the bridge of the nose should have subsided completely. You may still experience some numbness at the tip of the nose. This is normal and the feeling should gradually return. The scar from an open procedure will begin to fade.
Answer: Rhinoplasty can take time
Technically speaking, your new nose can take up to a full year to really develop and materialize. Still, by two months, you should definitely be noticing the changes that have come alongside your rhinoplasty.
Three weeks post-rhinoplasty, about 70 percent of swelling is gone. This is the time when a patient starts to recognize the changes and begins to appreciate the new shape of his or her nose. It's ok, actually quite normal, to feel a little self conscious at this time.
The first week is the most critical period for rhinoplasty healing. After 7-10 days, patients can begin to use other sleeping positions. Be careful to avoid putting pressure on the nose, and if you can sleep comfortably on your back while elevated, continue to do so.
Rhinoplasty can influence the appearance of the upper lip and make it look longer, but it does not actually change the height. If you express interest in making your upper lip more visible, your facial plastic surgeon may rotate or change the position of the nasal tip during a rhinoplasty procedure.
It may come as a surprise, but most will not notice the change in your nose after rhinoplasty. Friends and family will know that you look well, though for some reason many just don't pick up the fact that your nose is different.
To answer your question in short - you will be able to smile usually 1 to 3 months after rhinoplasty surgery. Let's analyze different events post-surgery and how/why they will impact your smile. When extensive work is done, the muscles responsible for holding the upper lip become temporarily weakened.
Until visibility of the final result after rhinoplasty, meaning untill the swelling has subsided, it usually takes : in thin skin: about 1 year. medium thick skin: round about 2 years. thick skin: round about 3 years.
If a patient is not satisfied with his or her rhinoplasty results, it is important to consult with the nose job surgeon who performed the procedure. At this time, a patient and surgeon can explore revision rhinoplasty surgery.
Answer: Scrunching nose
Scrunching your nose should not be a problem. The soft tissue over your nose can be quite stiff early post-op.
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.