Yes, this can be normal for you. Swelling after any surgery resolves in stages and this is also true of Rhinoplasty. The worst “I can’t leave my house” swelling is gone within 1, or sometimes, 2 weeks. After this, you will be presentable and your nose will look ‘normal’ to others. But, intermediate swelling or puffiness can and will last for weeks beyond that. By 6 weeks, your nose will begin to look ‘normal’ to you and you will start to really see the early results of your surgery.

Your nasal breathing will also be returning to normal at this point. Changes beyond this point are more subtle. But, as every surgeon will tell you, you won’t see the ‘final result’ until 6 months…a year…or even 2 or 3 years after surgery, especially if this is not your first nasal operation.The rate of improvement in swelling is different for each individual, and depends on your genetics, your health and nutritional status, your skin type and thickness, your activity level, the extent of your procedure, and other factors. Try not to compare yourself too much to others. If you are uncomfortable with your progress, ask your surgeon for advice.

Unlike many other more general questions, your question is best answered after a thorough evaluation.

In general, foreign implants in the nose are not a good idea and we rarely ever use them. However, experience has shown that silicone or other prosthetic implants can and are used in certain ethnic patients with varyingly good results.

In your particular situation, we would have to evaluate why the prosthetic is crooked, is it mobile, and is the overlying skin doing well?

Occasionally we have noted that the dermis can thin over time when the implant is mobile. After examining you, we would know if the prosthetic is something we would retain and revise or if we should remove the prosthetic in its entirety and use your own cartilage in order to revise the previous surgery. We welcome you to come and see us so that we can truly make a proper assessment of your particular circumstances.