Cartilage Bump Inside Nose After Rhinoplasty: After rhinoplasty, a bump can be caused inside the nose by the recovery process. Many people also say that their nose looks larger after their recovery. This may be due to swelling inside your nose or another reason. The condition is temporary and will go away on its own.
In this guide, we find out the aspects of Cartilage Bump Inside Nose After Rhinoplasty, nasal polyps after rhinoplasty, swelling inside nose after rhinoplasty, and hard bump inside nose after rhinoplasty.
If you’ve had a rhinoplasty procedure, it’s normal to have bumps and lines in your nose for up to two years after the surgery. However, if you’re still experiencing these issues after two years, there may be an underlying problem that needs further evaluation by your doctor.
Surgery
- What is the surgery?
- Why is it done?
- What are the risks?
- How long does it take and how much does it cost?
Infection
Infection is a common cause of bumps in the nose. It’s usually caused by a foreign object that got stuck in the nose during surgery, but it can also be caused by an infection in your body or even a virus or bacteria. Infection can cause swelling and pain, fever and other symptoms like headaches.
If you have any signs of infection after your rhinoplasty procedure (such as redness around your eyes), call us immediately so we can give you advice on how best to treat it!
Scar Tissue
Scar tissue is a common complication of rhinoplasty, and can be removed with the use of a laser. If you have had your nose surgically reshaped, it is possible that some scar tissue has formed in the area where cartilage was removed. This will not go away on its own; instead, it must be treated by a surgeon who specializes in facial cosmetic surgery.
Scarring can occur during any type of procedure that involves breaking through skin (such as liposuction) or cutting into bone (like hip replacement). The body responds to these injuries by creating new tissues called “scar” that help protect against infection and keep wounds closed until healing occurs. Unfortunately, these new tissues aren’t always beneficial: they can cause pain and deformity because they contract over time–tightening up around nerves or other structures as they heal–and sometimes even interfere with normal function if left untreated long enough after surgery takes place!
nasal polyps after rhinoplasty
Nasal polyps occur in various colors and sizes. They typically range from pink to brownish-yellow in color. Early on, the polyps look like teardrops.
But they appear similar to grapes on a stem upon becoming larger. Nasal polyps can occur in one or both nostrils simultaneously and may grow alone or in clusters.
Polyp clusters or large polyps can cause breathing obstructions and impact the sense of smell. Polyps can block the sinuses leading to recurrent infections.
The surgeon will assess the patient’s nasal polyps and recommend an appropriate treatment plan based on this examination. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim provides rhinoplasty to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and surrounding locations.
Who may get Nasal Polyps?
Nasal polyps occur in around four to 40 percent of the population. They are almost two to four times more likely to occur in men than in women. Individuals with nasal polyps usually develop them in their youth or middle-age.
Polyps occur more frequently in people who experience repetitive sinus infections, asthma, and allergies. They also commonly develop in children with cystic fibrosis.
Diagnosis
Simply by asking the patient questions on their symptoms and nasal condition, an experienced surgeon usually diagnoses nasal polyps. The surgeon can assess the nasal polyps by viewing the insides of the nose with a lighted device.
To confirm the diagnosis, the surgeon may order the following tests:
- CT scan
- Nasal endoscopy
- Cystic fibrosis
- Skin prick allergy test
Treatment
Steroid Nose Drops or Spray
To reduce the inflammation in the polyps, the surgeon may prescribe nasal drops or a steroid spray to the patient. Steroid nose drops or sprays are commonly prescribed in the treatment of one or a cluster of small polyps. The side effects of the treatment may include:
- Headache
- Nosebleeds
- Sore throat
Steroid Pills
The patient may require steroid pills if they have larger polyps or more severe inflammation. The doctor may prescribe steroid pills to the patient by themselves or in combination with a nasal spray.
Steroid can effectively reduce the size of the polyps. However, they may present side effects such as weight gain. The patient should use steroids only for a few weeks and not longer.
swelling inside nose after rhinoplasty
All surgical procedures create clean, controlled wounds that the body must repair in the weeks after the procedure. Rhinoplasty, which is a common nasal surgery that can be performed for cosmetic or functional reasons, is no exception.
Swelling is an expected side effect of the healing process that will take a while to subside. The nose is made up of cartilage, skin, and bone, and it can take a few months for swelling to disappear after surgery. Here’s what you need to know about swelling after rhinoplasty and what to expect during recovery.
Types of Swelling after Rhinoplasty
There are essentially two forms of swelling that take place after rhinoplasty. After the procedure, there is the immediate swelling related to the trauma of the surgery and then there is longer-term swelling related to the retention of fluid.
The immediate swelling is evident and it is simply secondary to inflammation caused by the rhinoplasty surgery. This type of swelling may occur simultaneously with bruising.
Although every patient heals differently after rhinoplasty, the degree of this type of swelling can be, in part, tempered by the rhinoplasty technique. I try to help limit the immediate swelling and bruising by performing the rhinoplasty with a certain meticulous dissection of the tissue.
In the vast majority of my cosmetic rhinoplasty cases, I perform an open approach. The approach, whether open or closed, does not in itself cause immediate swelling. I have seen a large amount of swelling with the closed technique and vice versa.
Swelling before and after Rhinoplasty
Surgical Techniques Can Reduce Swelling After Rhinoplasty
So, how to reduce swelling after surgery? In rhinoplasty, the skin has to be elevated off of the underlying cartilage and bone. It is the way in which the skin is elevated which can help to limit the degree of immediate swelling after rhinoplasty. As with every other maneuver employed in rhinoplasty, every millimeter matters.
The exact level at which the surgeon is elevating the skin off of the cartilages also matters. If you can imagine, this may be a fraction of a millimeter. I take great care at the level at which I perform my elevation of the skin in order to help limit the amount of immediate postoperative swelling and bruising. Additionally, when resetting the bones, I employ a technique that I have found to help with swelling postoperatively.
The immediate application of ice helps with this type of swelling after surgery. I have all my patients use as much as they can tolerate for the first twenty-four hours after surgery. Following the first day after surgery, the ice becomes ineffective in controlling bruising and swelling.
This type of initial swelling is different from the swelling of the skin, which occurs after surgery and often takes months to resolve. This second type of swelling is related to fluid retention under the skin. At the time of a rhinoplasty, cartilages and bone are shaped, and grafts reshape the nose to achieve the cosmetic outcome. The skin then has to “re-drape” over the new shape.
The skin, in essence, has to mold itself over the new shape of the nose. In doing so, fluid is retained underneath the skin and over the cartilages. It can then take up to several months for this healing process to transpire.
Gravity and your body’s fluid retention are the two main factors that control swelling at this point after surgery. You will notice that the upper part of the nose towards the bones is the first area where refinements are noted after surgery. The tip, being the most gravity-dependent, is the last to show resolution of the swelling. These changes are normal and occur in every patient to some degree.
Factors Influencing Swelling
There are factors that do influence the amount of fluid retention swelling after surgery, the main being the thickness of the skin. The greater the thickness of the skin, the greater the degree of swelling. I counsel all my patients upon their consultation as to their noted skin thickness and try to prepare them for the expected amount of swelling that may be typical in their case.
At this point in the surgery, in order to help resolve the prolonged swelling, I tell my patients to limit their amount of dietary salt intake. Since this second type of swelling is mostly due to fluid retention underneath the skin of the nose, I have noted that the reduction of salt from the diet helps. Regardless, this second type of skin swelling may take months to fully resolve and unveil the refinements made during the rhinoplasty.
Weekly Swelling Stages
Week 1
Right after your rhinoplasty, you’ll likely be wearing a splint, which will help to control the swelling. You won’t be able to see your nose while the splint is on. Usually, this is removed sometime within the first week.
Once the splint is removed, your nose will likely look very swollen. Don’t panic; you are not seeing your final results. This is when the swelling is generally at its worst—a few days after the surgery.
Week 2
Although your nose will still be swollen during the second week of recovery, the worst is likely past you. You will notice the significant swelling in your nose start to subside as you heal. Most people take around two weeks off from their daily activities, like work and school, after a rhinoplasty so they can rest and heal up.
Week 3-4
The majority of the swelling should resolve within the first month. Most people start to see their results emerge and can evaluate their new look by this point. Generally, up to 90% of swelling should disappear by the end of the first month.
Month 2 (and Beyond!)
After the first month, there will still be some swelling present, but it likely won’t be very noticeable. You may see some slight refinements in your results within the first year. By the end of 12-18 months, all of the swelling will be gone.
You shouldn’t notice residual swelling after the first few months. However, if you decide you need a revision procedure, you will need to wait until 12-18 months after your first surgery so the surgeon can work with a nose that has fully healed. Rhinoplasty 1 month vs. 1 year is quite a dramatic difference.
hard bump inside nose after rhinoplasty
How long will it take for bruising to go away after a rhinoplasty?
This is one of the most common questions we are asked after surgery. The first thing to note, is that not all patients will bruise. Often times, bruising occurs when we have to cut or move the bones of the upper part of your nose. In patients who don’t have a cut in the bone, bruising is less likely—but still possible—so it is always best to plan, just in case.
If you do have bruising, it usually lasts about 7-10 days, but everyone is different. It depends on how thick and dark your skin is, as well as your body’s ability to remove the old blood under the skin from the surgery, which causes the bruising. It is very rare for people to have bruising after 14 days, but as mentioned, most will see their bruising clear up between 7-10 days. If you have light bruising, you may be able to use make up to subtlety cover it up.
People have tried many things to reduce bruising. This includes taking steroids during surgery and using Arnica. At this point in time, there is no research suggesting that these treatments work and therefore, treatments, like steroids, are not recommended. It is unlikely that Arnica causes damage or harm to the nose, so if patients are interested, this is something they can try.
How long does the cast stay on after a rhinoplasty?
A cast is used after a rhinoplasty (or nose job) for a few reasons. Most importantly, it helps you remember to keep your fingers and hands away from you nose! It also helps keep the nose in a straight position, but unlike casts on other parts of the body, it can move because it does not completely protect the nose. However, not all patients need a cast on their nose after a rhinoplasty. If you have the bone cut or you have a bump on your nose removed, you will likely have a cast after surgery. For other types of rhinoplasties, it is unlikely you will have a full cast.
A cast stays on the nose between 5-10 days, but we try to remove it a week after your surgery. If it falls off prior to that, it is usually not an issue, but we always tell patients to never remove the cast on their own or try to move the cast; this can result in your bones moving and making your nose a bit crooked.
The majority of patients do not find removing the cast painful. It is like removing a bandage; it’s a little uncomfortable for a minute, but it is rare that patients require pain medication during the removal.
After a rhinoplasty, my nose looks crooked with the cast on, what should I do about this?
This is also a very common question. People often ask me why their cast looks off-centre, twisted, or a bit crooked. A cast for the nose is made out of a material that softens when warmed. At the end of the surgery, we place this piece of hard material in warm water to soften it. Then, we put it over your nose and hold it in place. It’s almost impossible to make it “perfectly” straight as the cast tends to warp as it hardens. What’s important is that the tissue under the cast is not warped, which is an uncommon occurrence. The look of the cast in almost all situations has no relationship to how the tissue looks under the cast. It is important to remember that you do not want to try to change or move the cast, as this can alter the shape of the tissue under your nose. In some cases, there is a reason why we make the cast a certain shape, so it is best to leave it and try your best not to worry about the shape.
My nose really hurts with the cast on after a rhinoplasty. What should I do about this?
It is not common to have a lot of pain after a rhinoplasty. Many people have mild to moderate pain, but taking your pain medication will help significantly. If you find that your pain is worsening or your pain medication is not working, it is very important to call your surgeon or Dr. Bonaparte as soon as possible. If you cannot get in touch with your surgeon and the pain is getting worse, some patients need to go to an emergency department or walk-in clinic. However, this is only in very rare situations.
After I took the cast off, my nose looks big. Why does it look so big?
Before I answer, let’s do a little review of anatomy and physiology. When we do a rhinoplasty –nose job—we have to cut the skin, as well as “lift” the skin of the deeper tissues of the nose. Normally, blood and fluid flow all around your skin and tissue, and there are microscopic channels that the flow. Surgery disrupts this normal flow and there is no way to avoid this. Any time you cut the skin, you disrupt the flow of blood and fluid. Additionally, your body wants to heal after surgery, so it secretes hormones and other chemicals to trigger the healing response. Healing results in more swelling. So, the combination of healing and a disrupted flow causes the swelling to increase and your nose to look big.
But remember: this is the early phase of healing. Swelling usually peaks at about two weeks after surgery and then, it slowly goes away over time as your body starts to make new channels to drain all the fluid. This can take up to a year or more in some people.
Even though it can take up to a year, your nose will still look good during this time. Patients should expect their nose to be swollen for the first month after surgery. After about two months, your nose will look great, but not perfect. The tip is often still round, shiny, and very firm. This is all due to swelling. After about six months, the swelling will improve. The tip will soften a bit and will be less full, but you will still find it a bit swollen. By a year, the tip should be soft and look great. However, some patients require even longer for all the swelling to go away.
How long does the swelling last after a rhinoplasty?
This is a complicated question and one of the most common questions we get asked after a rhinoplasty. There are two possibilities: If you have a closed rhinoplasty, the swelling of the skin usually resolves around the first month. However, the bone can change during the first year. If you have an open rhinoplasty, the swelling often takes longer. The problem is that swelling can last up to a year and sometimes longer, but that doesn’t mean your nose doesn’t look good during the year after surgery. It will look good, but not “perfect”. Your nose will be very swollen and puffy for the first two weeks after surgery. But after a month, you nose will look natural, but the tip will be swollen and firm. By the sixth month, the swelling will improve; the tip will soften a bit and will be less full, but you will still find it a bit swollen. In a year’s time, the tip should be soft and look great. However, some patients require even longer for all the swelling to go away.
Why does the tip of my nose look so big after a rhinoplasty?
Similar to Question 5 above, we have to cut the skin, as well as “lift” the skin of the deeper tissues of the nose, which disrupts the normal flow of blood and fluid around your skin and tissue. There are microscopic channels that also continue to flow. There is no way to overcome this disruption. After surgery, your body wants to heal so it secretes hormones and other chemicals to trigger the healing response. Healing results in more swelling. As a result, the combination of healing and disrupting causes the swelling to increase and your nose to look big.
It’s been a few months after my rhinoplasty and the tip of my nose still looks big. How long does it take to go away?
The tip of the nose is often the last part of the rhinoplasty to heal. If you look at some of the other questions about swelling, you will see that the tip can take up to a year to heal. However, the tip will look great, but not “perfect” after one month.
It’s been a few months after my rhinoplasty and I can still feel a bump on my nose. Does this mean it is going to come back?
The short answer is no. In rare situations, the bump will still be present after surgery, but this is the exception. After you cut the bone of the nose—or remove the bump on the nose—the bone has to heal. It forms what is called a “callous” that is kind of like a scab on the skin. This allows the bone to heal underneath it. You can, sometimes, see this bone healing and it looks like a small bump. Over time, the body will absorb this and the swelling will go away.
In rare situations, your body may scar or form a thick bone. In this situation, it is possible to see the bone or a small bump. If this was to happen, you should talk to your surgeon to see what can be done to fix it. In nearly all cases, this can be easily fixed with a minor surgery.
It’s been a month after my rhinoplasty and the scar under my nose looks uneven. How can I improve this and why did it happen?
This question is related to other questions regarding swelling of the nose.
Similar to questions five and seven, a rhinoplasty (nose job) requires the cutting of the skin, as well as the “lifting” of the nose’s deeper tissues. Microscopic channels allow blood and fluid to freely flow all around your skin and tissue. Surgery disrupts this normal process and there is no way to overcome this apart from your body forming new channels within the skin. Anytime you cut the skin, you disrupt the flow of blood and fluid.
The scar on your nose is called the columellar scar and acts like a water dam. It disrupts the flow of fluid and the fluid tends to build up above the scar. This gives the impression that your scar is not perfectly lined up as the skin above the scar is swollen and the skin below is not. All patients who have an open rhinoplasty have this for 6-12 months while the swelling goes down. It is usually not a concern, but some patients are worried the scar will not heal perfectly. This scar usually looks fantastic once the swelling is gone.
How long do I have to wait to get the final result of my rhinoplasty?
If you scour the internet, you will find the same answer: 12 months. This is a bit arbitrary and it’s different for all patients. I usually tell patients that by the second month, your nose will look great and by the sixth month, it will look fantastic. However, it can take one to two years for it to be fully healed. Most people are not bothered by the small amount of swelling that resolves over time, but it’s important to remember that it can take time for all the swelling to go away.
When can I start blowing my nose after a rhinoplasty?
After a rhinoplasty, there are a few parts of the nose that could potentially move if you blow your nose: The bone The stiches The septum
If you had the bone of your nose cut, there are some pieces that can move if pressure is applied to them. If you blow your nose, there is a chance that they could move. It is also possible that a stitch will pop out because of this. When we do a rhinoplasty, its common that have a septoplasty at the same time. This allows us to harvest some material to help build and shape your nose. If you blow too hard, you can potentially damage this.
I tell my patients that they cannot blow their nose for the first week. After a week, if you spray some saline water in your nose you can do a very gentle blow to help remove some mucus. After three weeks, you can start to blow a bit harder while applying the saline spray before doing so to loosen up the material. After a month, you can get back to normal.