One of the known facts regarding rhinoplasty or nose job surgery is that the nose will swell significantly after surgery, which can temporarily make the nose look bigger after rhinoplasty.

During rhinoplasty or nose reshaping surgery, the cartilage and bony framework of the nose are reshaped and then the skin is laid back down over this new framework. Unlike eyelid surgery or facelift surgery, skin is rarely removed. The skin then has to contract back down over the new framework to form the new nose. This swelling after rhinoplasty takes time to settle down.

Depending on the thickness of the skin, swelling may vary.

• Typically, 10-25% of the swelling is down at 3 weeks.
• At 6 weeks, 25-40% of the swelling is down.
• It will take at least 1 year (if not 1.5-2 years with thicker skin or revisions) for swelling to significantly abate.

The nasal tip skin is thicker than the skin over the bridge so will therefore also take longer to contract.

Dr. Funk is a top rhinoplasty surgeon in Houston, TX.