These V situps are great..how many did you do Donny? I haven't done them for ages. When this nose is not swelling, I will start doing them again.
I thought you might be interested in these doctor's opinions regarding nasal swelling following rhinoplasty:
Swelling after Rhinoplasty: Gradual Improvement
The amount of swelling and how long it persists after rhinoplasty depends on several factors such as the surgeon's technique, open versus closed approach, whether the nasal bones were broken, and the number of prior nasal surgeries.
Patients in whom open rhinoplasty techniques were used, cases in which the nasal bones were broken, and a history of one or more previous nasal surgeries often will have more prolonged swelling.
During the first week, most patients will have moderate swelling . Usually, by the end of the second week, much of the bruising and swelling have subsided to the point that it is not obvious to the casual observer that the patient has had surgery.
However, the nose will look swollen or puffy to the patient for 3 to 4 months. It usually takes a full year for the residual swelling to resolve and the final result be apparent.
C. Spencer Cochran, MD
Swelling 3 weeks after Rhinoplasty is normal
Rhinoplasty swelling occurs both on the outside and inside of the nose. Patients are generally "restaurant ready" and socially acceptable within 2 weeks following surgery. Most swelling after rhinoplasty resolves within a month. The final 20% of swelling takes a much longer time to resolve, up to a year after surgery. Fortunately, this final swelling is usually only evident to the surgeon and patient.
Rhinoplasty swelling varies greatly and is largely based on the areas of the nose treated, surgical approach to the nose (open or closed/endonasal), skin thickness, postoperative care, and your healing ability. The more extensive the surgery, the more you will swell and the longer the swelling will last. The tip of the nose holds onto swelling longer than the other parts of the nose. Open rhinoplasty, where there is an external incision at the base of the nose, swells more and longer than closed/endonasal rhinoplasty. Patients with thicker skin will have more swelling.
Keeping your head elevated, maintaining the nasal splint/cast, ice, arnica montana, and following your plastic surgeon's guideline will help reduce rhinoplasty swelling. Persistant swelling may also be reduced by steroid treatment into the nose. Don't hesitate to speak to your plastic surgeon about any swelling.
Houtan Chaboki, MD
I don't recall how long it has been since your surgery, but if it has been several weeks and the worst of the swelling has not subsided, I would be concerned. I remember that you recently saw your surgeon and he said everything was as expected. However, if the the worst of the swelling has not subsided pretty soon, you might want to have a second opinion regarding this. You sure don't want to end up looking like Michael Jackson with the tip of your nose falling off.
I had rhinoplasty when I was in my late twenties. The main reason was to repair a deviated septum. Unlike you, no bones were broken and the doctor worked from within the nostrils, so he didn't need to cut the base of the nose (closed proceedure). I guess I was lucky because aside from the first couple of weeks, I didn't have much swelling at all.
My daughter had rhinoplasty twice. In addition to having a deviated septum, she had a small bump on the bridge of her nose reduced, which was too bad because her nose was attractive and more distinctive prior to the surgery, in my opinion. The second surgery was to fix some flaw she felt she had from the previous surgery that none of the rest of us could see. Anyway, she didn't have noticeable swelling after several weeks and she said all the swelling was gone in six months.
