Bumps on the bridge of the nose after rhinoplasty are not uncommon. But will those bumps resolve on their own? If so, how long will you need to wait for the bump to go away?
Don’t worry—bumps are a common aspect of the healing process. At Potomac Plastic Surgery, Dr. Chaboki and our team are here to guide you through what’s normal, what you can do, and when you might need additional care.
Here’s what you need to know about bumps and irregularities after rhinoplasty.
Why Do Bumps Appear on the Nose After Rhinoplasty?
During recovery, your nose undergoes a complex healing process, and one of the body’s natural responses is swelling. Here’s why you might notice a bump:
- Swollen Tissues: Skin, muscle, and the surrounding tissue layers swell as they heal, which can lead to some initial unevenness.
- Patient-Specific Factors: Your unique anatomy and medical history play a role, too. If you have thicker skin, a larger bump before surgery, a previous procedure, or a history of nasal injuries, you may experience more noticeable swelling.
Be patient. This healing process takes time, and early bumps usually settle as swelling reduces. Learn more about swelling after rhinoplasty in our related blog post.
What Is the Typical Healing Timeline?
Most bumps will gradually diminish as your nose heals. Here’s a general timeline of what to expect:
- First Month: Swelling is at its peak, so some unevenness is expected.
- Months 2 to 6: Swelling starts to reduce, and bumps will likely begin to soften.
- One Year: By this time, most patients see their final results, though minor residual swelling may linger, especially if you have thicker skin.
Taking monthly photos can help you see how your nose changes over time. This simple practice can be reassuring and show you your progress.
Can You Do Anything To Help the Bump at Home?
The following are at-home techniques to support your recovery:
- Elevated Rest: Sleeping with your head elevated can help minimize swelling, especially in the early weeks.
- Gentle Massage: Dr. Chaboki may approve light fingertip pressure to help soften minor swelling. Carefully follow his instructions, as improper techniques could disrupt healing or create unwanted changes, so always consult us for guidance.
These steps can support your recovery, but check with your surgeon to make sure you’re using techniques that promote safe healing.
Do You Need Additional Treatment To Address the Nose Bump After Surgery?
In some cases, a steroid injection under the skin may be required to help control swelling and edema.
When Are Bumps a Cause for Concern?
While most bumps are harmless, some rare causes may require attention. If your bump is hard, painful, or accompanied by redness, it could be a sign of an infection or hematoma (a blood clot under the skin). Here’s what to watch for:
- Signs of Infection: Pain, warmth, and redness around the bump may indicate infection.
- Indicators of a Hematoma: A hard, tender lump often points to a blood clot that needs care.
If you notice any unusual symptoms, contact your surgeon immediately. Early treatment can prevent complications and keep your recovery on track.
When Should You Consider Revision Rhinoplasty?
In cases where a bump lingers after a year, revision rhinoplasty may be an option. This secondary procedure is typically reserved for situations where a bump or irregularity is unlikely to resolve on its own. Here’s what to know:
- Timing Matters: We recommend waiting at least a year to allow complete healing before considering revision.
- Choosing an Experienced Surgeon: Revision rhinoplasty requires a specialized skill set. Dr. Chaboki’s expertise in secondary procedures can help ensure you get the desired results.
Revision rhinoplasty is a significant decision, so consider your options carefully in consultation with your surgeon. Read our blog post, “Factors To Consider in Revision Rhinoplasty,” Part 1 and Part 2, to learn more.
What’s Next?
Healing after rhinoplasty requires patience, but most patients find the final results well worth the wait. If you’re concerned about bumps or any other part of the recovery process, we encourage you to call our office today at (202) 800-2085 or request a consultation. And If you’re considering rhinoplasty, we’re here to help you understand what to expect and how to plan for beautiful, lasting results.
See more rhinoplasty transformations in my complete rhinoplasty photo gallery.
Hello, I have a rhinoplasty almost 30 years ago by a leading N.Y. plastic surgeon. I have noticed a slight bump at the just below the bridge and above the tip of my nose. It has surfaced within the last five years. Are there any suggestions to remove it or improve it. Thank you.
Bumps on the bridge of the nose after rhinoplasty is not uncommon, even with the best rhinoplasty plastic surgeons. Examination would be required to help determine possible appropriate treatment options for bumps.
Hello,
I had rhinoplasty 3 months ago and I noticed a small bump on my nose bridge since a few days. I did the tip of my nose and a little bit of shaping above the nose tip. I didn’t have a bump on my nose bridge so that’s why I did my nose tip. But now I see a bump and it’s after 3 months. Is this normal and do you think it will go away??
Thank you for reading the blog. Rhinoplasty recovery, similar to other plastic surgery, involves various phases of healing: early (days), middle (weeks), and late (months/years). Plastic surgeons generally consider the first few months relatively early in the healing process after surgery. Patients should speak with their plastic surgeon regarding any concerns they may have during recovery.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
To the original poster, did this resolve on its own after waiting a full year after surgery?
Hello, I had a septorhinoplasty 5 months ago. I had a dorsal hump removed and my tip raised a bit. About 2-3 months in my bridge was relatively straight, but then I began developing a bone-like bump on my bridge that looks similar to my previous dorsal hump. I now have 2 such bumps. Why is this? I also occasionally feel pressure on my nose.
Thank you for reading this plastic surgery blog. Bumps and irregularities on the bridge of the nose can happen after rhinoplasty. Many issues after rhinoplasty can resolve with time. Patients should continue to speak with their rhinoplasty surgeon regarding any concerns they have.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
I had a rhinoplasty about a year ago, I’ve had bumps develop on my bridge of my nose. I’m mostly worried about having to get it fixed and paying for another surgery with the original doctor. What is standard for that? Is it normal for corrections to original surgery to cost more?
Rhinoplasty patients, as with all plastic surgery patients, may want additional procedures. As with any plastic surgery, it’s always best for patients to speak with their plastic surgeon. Some patients don’t need a full surgery, rather just some relatively minor adjustments. Costs will vary among plastic surgeons.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Hello, I had a rhinoplasty done 10 days ago. I got my cast off 4 days ago and my nose already scared me from the second I saw myself. I love my side profile but my front is extremely swollen and big and wide. I have no definition and can feel a bump between my eyes. the right side of my nose has a very big swollen bump and the other side doesn’t. Also, my left nostril is wider than my right and I can feel it’s harder than the right too. All of this together makes my nose look very deformed and not straight…especially when I take a photo using flash. I’m very worried but do not want to seem impatient and call my surgeon…can anyone let me know if it will go away?
Swelling is often a concern for rhinoplasty patients, or any plastic surgery patient for that matter. A majority of the swelling generally resolves in the first weeks after surgery. However, it can take a year for the “final” results. Patients should always keep in communication with their plastic surgeon.
Interested rhinoplasty patients can read more about rhinoplasty swelling in our blog.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Has this resolved at all? I also had surgery about 10 days ago and my nose scares me.
Rhinoplasty swelling is most significant for the first several days after surgery. Fortunately, a majority of this swelling usually resolves in weeks. However, it can take a year for “final” rhinoplasty results. Rhinoplasty patients should keep in communication with their rhinoplasty surgery.
Interested individuals can read more about rhinoplasty swelling in our blog.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Hi Dr. Chaboki,
Could I e-mail you photos of me regarding this issue? I don’t want to publicly post them. It would mean a lot.
Thank you
H.
Our cosmetic surgery practice offers private, secure messaging. Interested individuals can contact the office online via our Contact Us page or via Patient Portal.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Hello, It’s been almost 14 months since I’ve had my rhinoplasty and now I notice that there is a very small bump on the dorsum nasi, almost an inch below the bridge. Is this anything to worry about?
Thank you for reading the blog.
Plastic surgeons like to see their rhinoplasty patient at followup and monitor recovery. If you haven’t already, then contact your rhinoplasty surgeon specialist to schedule a visit.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Hello, I had a septorhinoplasty to make my nose tip higher , lower my nose bridge and remove my nose bump like before two weeks and a half. Ever since I took my cast off after one week I had my surgery, I had this bump on the bridge of my nose, when I touch it it’s hard like bone and I don’t know if it’s swelling or it’s the actual bone/cartilage. Will this go away? I wanted a low nose bridge with a high nose tip, why there’s a hard noticeable bump on my nose bridge when I asked them to remove it? It looks off on both of my side profile and front. I’m scared that this isn’t just swelling.
Thank you for reading the blog!
We recommend communicating with original rhinoplasty surgeons, as circumstances will vary for each patient. Bumps on the bridge of the nose after rhinoplasty may occur even with the world’s best rhinoplasty plastic surgeons.
Here is some information on rhinoplasty swelling that may be useful.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Hi Nina,
Exactly the same happens to me… after almost one year of your surgery how is your nose right now?? did the bumb between your eyes dissapeared?? I am a bit worried… thank you!
I have a lump on the side of my nose at the top three months after nose job it hurts
Thank you for reading the blog!
A majority of swelling typically resolves in the first few months after rhinoplasty surgery. However, it takes a full year for “final” healing. If you haven’t already, then speak with your rhinoplasty surgeon regarding any issues.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
I am almost 5 month out from my rhinoplasty, at about 6 weeks I developed a callous on my bridge, my nose tip is very swollen still and is actually bigger then before surgery. In the last week my nose has swelled and is very red almost like it’s sunburned and his sore to touch in the middle. My surgeon is not available to see me till next week, the NP put me on an antibiotic as a precaution. What could cause this?
Thank you for reading the blog!
The nose, as with any body area, will go through changes after cosmetic surgery. Swelling is common after any plastic surgery, including rhinoplasty. It’s important to speak with the rhinoplasty surgeon who performed the procedure to review potential treatment options.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
My agumentation rhinoplasty finished 3years but still also skin wrinkle and hard then bump on top and bottom of agumentation cartilage how to cure this tightness skin this skin not recovered 3years how to cure this skin
Hi,
Augmentation rhinoplasty can be performed with cartilage or implants. Revision procedures will vary based on several variables. A consultation can help determine potential options. Please contact the office to get started. Thank you!
Hi there
I had a nose job 3 weeks ago
I understand the issues regarding post op swelling etc however when my cast was removed my nose was straight (had a hump removed and tip refined)
I’ve been taping my nose at night however pains when I take the tape off no matter how slow I do it.
Currently there is a small bump where my hump used to be (on the bone not the cartilage) I assume it’s swelling as it hurts and is red. I am applying arnica cream and icing it to help but not sure if this is doing more damage or not? Is there anything else I can do to reduce swelling?
Thanks
Thank you for reading our blog!
Three weeks is very early after rhinoplasty surgery. We recommend speaking with the original rhinoplasty surgeon to help determine appropriate options. For our patients, we have specific Care Instructions to help minimize rhinoplasty swelling.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Hi!
I am almost four weeks post-rhinoplasty and there is a red bump on the left side of my nose where the deviated septum was corrected, is the bump and its reddness indicate an infection?
Thank you for reading the blog!
4 weeks is considered relatively early in the healing period after rhinoplasty. Swelling is still present. Any concern should be brought to the attention of the plastic surgeon.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
i have gotten a nosejob and it’s been about 3 weeks and I have a slight bump on my nose bridge I didn’t have before , is it permanent?
Thank you for reading out blog!
The nose is still settling after plastic surgery and is typically swollen in the early recovery period. We advise our patients to let swelling settle, which typically takes at least a year after rhinoplasty.
Learn more about rhinoplasty swelling in our blog.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
I had a rhinoplasty at the end of 2020 so it has been about a total of 1 year and 8 months and I have developed a dent in my nasal bone on the left side I want to say maybe it could be a breaking of the nasal bone. The dent appears deeper some days than others and some days you don’t notice it but when you feel it you can feel the dent like the bone was cut and it fell. I do experience some days difficulty in breathing and my tip looks like it has fallen it doesn’t have the structure it’s like its separated from my nasal bone what do you recommend me to do Dr. Chaboki? Thank you
Thank you for reading our blog! For those who have questions regarding their rhinoplasty, office examination with a plastic surgeon or rhinoplasty surgeon is generally recommended. Video followup is not the same as in-person examination.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Hello
I am meeting with my surgeon next month but in the interim, was wondering if there is a way to tell if a ‘bony’ bump on side of bridge is swelling vs. callous vs. cartilage, etc. I had a dorsal hump removal, grafts, etc 2 months ago, and noticed this right after cast removal (1 week). Thank you for the info and blog!
Thank you for reading the blog!
Rhinoplasty, similar to any plastic surgery, takes a year (if not longer) for full healing. Rhinoplasty patients should be in communication with their plastic surgeons during the healing process.
Best,
Hi, I’m 2 weeks post op and on the 3rd day of my recovery I noticed a hard bump froming on the left side of my nose next to my eye. I still had my cast on so I couldn’t see fully what was going on. Unfortunately after my cast was removed, I saw a big bump stretching all the way from the corner of my eye down to my nostril making my nose twice as wide as it should be. It’s all very hard to the touch and my doctor said it’s a callus and that nothing can be done for now but wait for it to disappear, if that doesn’t happen then it can be removed by rasping. I’m terrified and surprised that something this big could form only in few days. Is it really callus and what are the chances of it disappearing on its own and how long will it take?
Thank you for reading the blog. Office consultation is required to help answer such concerns. As always, patients should be in communication with their rhinoplasty surgeon.
Best,
Please help.
I have had revision nasal surgery and love it- now 4 weeks in a bump as formed on my bridge. Is this common? I am depressed as it looks awful- it Is a hard lump.
Please help
Thank you for reading the blog!
Swelling is common after rhinoplasty and can take a year or long to resolve. Patients should speak with their rhinoplasty surgeon regarding any concern.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Buenas noches me realice una rinoplastia aproximadamente 3 meses,he notado una pequeña giba en el dorso de la nariz ,quisiera saber si esto hace parte del proceso de inflamacion o puede quedarse la giba en mi nariz y no desaparecer
¡Gracias por leer el blog!
La hinchazón es común después de una rinoplastia y puede tardar un año o más en resolverse. Los pacientes deben hablar con su cirujano de rinoplastia con respecto a cualquier preocupación.
Dr. Chaboki
Hi,
I just had a revision rhinoplasty and turbinate reduction but I am seeing two small bumps above either nostril on the side. Will this go away? Is this just swelling?
Thank you for reading the blog. Revision rhinoplasty tends to swell more than the original surgery. If you haven’t already, then speak with your rhinoplasty surgeon regarding any questions or issues you have.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Hi I had open hinoplasty 17 months ago and inmediatly after the surgery I couldn’t smile, 2-3 months after I was experiencing the same issue at the beginning I thought that it was swollen and numb but until today is the same I cannot raise my upper lip and yes I have sensitivity but can’t lift my upper lip to smile and the other day I was touching that part and I realized that I have a lump between the bottom of my nose and my upper lip is right in the middle, that is what is preventing me from being able to move my lip upwards. up when I smile. I would like to know what it is and if I will always have it or it will disappear. Thank you
Many factors can affect one after rhinoplasty surgery. Lumps can be various things such as swelling, scar tissue, or cartilage. If you haven’t already, then speak with your rhinoplasty plastic surgeon to help determine options. Thank you for reading the blog!