Day 17 after rhinoplasty — if the septal cartilage looks bent: how to tell it apart from mucosal swelling
2024. 11. 6.
If the inner septal cartilage looks bent to one side after rhinoplasty, first distinguish whether it was always bent or is mucosal swelling. Organizes the judgment order by surgical method and when watching is fine, from the director's answer.
Key points
- Around 17 days post-op, the inner-nose mucosa can still be swollen, and breathing may feel uncomfortable because of it.
- If the surgery didn't touch the septal cartilage, it's likely you discovered after surgery a bend that was always there.
- Most people have the septal cartilage bent somewhat to one side, so if appearance and breathing are fine, watching it over time is also a valid approach.
"I had rhinoplasty 17 days ago. I hadn't looked closely inside my nose, but when I did a few days ago the septal cartilage looks bent to one side. Shouldn't the mucosal swelling have all subsided by now?"
There are moments when this worry arises the first time you look inside your nose after surgery. The person who sent this question had no major breathing discomfort, but felt air didn't flow well on the bent side, with no outward bend visible. They worried whether it was a surgical side effect or mucosal swelling from inflammation.
This article organizes the answer to that question.
01
By day 17, is inner-nose mucosal swelling all gone?
The inner-nose mucosa can still be swollen. Breathing discomfort can occur because of it. The swelling visible outside going down and the inner mucosa settling don't progress at the same speed.
So at this point, seeing the inside of the nose leaning to one side doesn't in itself mean the cartilage is bent. Whether it's bent septal cartilage or mucosal swelling can only be known by directly looking at the inside state. What gets checked at each stage of recovery can be seen together in the recovery guide.
02
How does judgment differ by surgical method?
It differs by which surgery was done. Broadly it can be split in two.
| Which surgery it was | How to view it |
|---|---|
| Surgery that didn't touch the septal cartilage | High likelihood of having discovered a pre-existing bend after surgery |
| When it appears to be a problem that didn't exist before surgery | Visit the operating clinic to check whether it's mucosal swelling or a bent septum |
In surgery where the septal cartilage wasn't used or trimmed, a shape that was always there often comes into view because of the surgery. Conversely, if it's clearly a change that didn't exist before surgery, don't leave the cause and move on — it's better to visit the operating clinic and check the current state.
03
In which cases is it fine to just watch?
Most people have the septal cartilage bent somewhat to one side. So the fact of being bent doesn't in itself mean a problem.
- Appearance — if the nose doesn't look bent from outside, the aesthetic-side problem isn't large.
- Breathing — if there's no problem breathing, there's little reason for an urgent functional judgment either.
- Progress — if those two are fine, watching it over time is also a good choice.
Conversely, if one-sided breathing keeps feeling uncomfortable, it's better to check directly whether that discomfort comes from mucosal swelling or from the cartilage's shape.
04
Summary — first check what is bent
When the inside of the nose looks shifted to one side, it's easy to immediately think of a side effect. But around 17 days post-op the mucosa can still be swollen, and the septal cartilage itself is commonly tilted to one side to begin with. Checking in order whether the septum was touched in surgery and whether appearance and breathing actually changed makes it easier to judge whether action is needed now.
If you'd like the current state checked — swelling or a shape problem — you can first consult in a 1:1 video consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions patients ask before a consultation.
Can septal cartilage bend after rhinoplasty?
Air doesn't flow well on one side — is it inflammation?
The nose doesn't look bent outside — is correction still needed?
Responses to treatment and recovery progress vary by individual. Outcomes and side effects vary from person to person. Bleeding, infection, swelling and asymmetry may occur. Please consult our medical team before making a decision.