Rhinoplasty swelling stages | tips, reasons, timeline

Rhinoplasty is one of the most complicated and difficult types of plastic surgery. This surgery is completely invasive and will cause a fundamental change in the structure and the shape of the nose. So like other surgeries, it is associated with complications such as swelling and bruising. In this article we discuss about swelling stages, tips, reasons and timeline progression

Primary swelling is an inflammatory reaction to repair the affected area caused by increasing intercellular fluid and usually lasts up to 1 to 3 months after operation. The delicacy of the surgeon’s hand is a determining factor in the amount of postoperative swelling and bruising. Also, the thickness of the skin is directly related to the amount and duration of swelling. For instance, if the patient’s nasal skin is thicker, the intercellular fluid will increase and as a result, we will face more swelling after the operation. Of course, the amount of swelling varies from person to person.

rhinoplasty swelling stages

The stages of swelling timeline in rhinoplasty follow three processes: Inflammation, proliferation and remodeling, which we will explain each one briefly.

rhinoplasty swelling progression

Inflammation: The duration of this process is 7 to 10 days, which is associated with great pain and swelling.

Proliferation: This process lasts 1 to 6 weeks; Collagen will be produced around the nose, which leads to thickening the nasal tissue and wounds. At the end of this period, the sensation of the nasal nerves also returns.

Remodeling (Maturation): During this stage, which may take about a year, extra collagen is broken down and nasal tissue becomes soft and supple. Note that the swelling of the tip of the nose disappears much later than other parts.