KOWON Blog
One week after a third nose surgery — what to do if the incision looks sunken
When the columella incision looks sunken one week after a third nose surgery — whether it can fill in over time, whether contracture-prevention medication and scar ointment help, and when to consult the operating doctor.
Key points
- One week post-op is too early to judge whether it's sunken — it needs more time. The sunken part can fill in somewhat over time.
- The timing for starting contracture-prevention medication differs by ingredient and prescription purpose, so don't start or stop on your own — confirm with the prescribing hospital.
- Scar ointment may help partially but doesn't do much for a sunken wound — if the dent persists over time, detailed consultation with the operating doctor is recommended.
"I opened my nose for the third time — it's been a week since the last surgery and the incised part looks sunken. I've accepted the scar as unavoidable, but I want to know whether the sunken part improves over time."
This is a question received in an actual consultation. This person had been taking contracture-prevention medication since day 6 post-op, and also asked whether the medication hinders recovery of the sunken area, and whether applying scar ointment would help the incision scar.
This article organizes the answer to that question.
01
A dent at week 1 — does it improve over time?
You're worried about a scar on the columella, but what matters is that it's only been a week since surgery. This point is too early to judge whether it's a dent, so it needs more time watching.
The sunken part will probably fill in somewhat over time — in other words, this isn't a stage where you can conclude the current shape will remain as-is. What changes happen at each post-op period is organized in the rhinoplasty recovery guide.
02
Do contracture-prevention medication and scar ointment help?
Organizing one by one the things the questioner is using or considering:
| Item | Role and limits |
|---|---|
| Contracture-prevention oral medication | Differs by ingredient·prescription purpose — confirm start·stop timing with the prescribing hospital |
| Scar ointment | May help partially, but doesn't do much for a sunken wound |
To summarize — without knowing the medication's ingredients and the wound's state, its effect on recovery can't be concluded, and ointment or medication can't readily fill in the dent itself. The key at this stage isn't adding treatments on your own but checking the recovery course according to the prescribing·operating hospital's instructions.
03
How long should you watch, and when should you consult?
The recommended order is as follows.
- 01Watch the course for now — it's not long since surgery, so give it time and wait.
- 02If the dent continues, consult the operating doctor — if it remains sunken after time has passed, detailed consultation with the doctor who operated helps. The side that knows the surgical details can most accurately judge the dent's cause and response.
- 03Confirm the medication·ointment you're taking in the same visit — if the timing of taking differs from typical cases, it's good to also check the reason and whether to continue.
A nose operated multiple times has much to check — the judgment criteria for cases where correction becomes needed later can be seen in the rhinoplasty revision guide.
04
Summary — at week 1, waiting comes first
Worrying about a scar on a nose opened multiple times is natural, but one week post-op is too early to judge a dent's course. Don't adjust medication on your own — confirm with the prescribing hospital — and scar ointment can't fill in a dent. If there's redness, warmth, pain, or discharge, or if the dent continues, the best next step is direct confirmation with medical staff who know the surgical details.
If your worry about the recovery course isn't settling, you can have your current state checked directly in a 1:1 video consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions patients ask before a consultation.
One week is too early to judge. Since the sunken part can fill in somewhat over time, first watch with time — and if it remains sunken afterward, detailed consultation with the operating doctor is recommended.
The answer differs by the medication's ingredients and prescription purpose. Don't keep taking or stop it on your own — confirm the timing and reason with the prescribing hospital that instructed day-6 dosing.
Scar ointment may help partially but doesn't do much for a sunken wound. If the dent continues, consultation with the operating hospital comes before ointment.
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.
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