Many questions arise after rhinoplasty surgery, mostly because patients expect results to be immediate. One of the most important topics I discuss with patients in the pre operative visit, is a discussion about healing. Rhinoplasty can be performed either "open" or "closed" approaches. In the closed approach, all incisions are made inside the nose. In the open approach, an incision is made on the column of skin that separates the nostrils (columella). The open approach is often chosen by the surgeon when a large amount of work on the nasal tip needs to be performed. After surgery, noses can be swollen for weeks to months, longer when the open approach is chosen. I warn my patients not to make any judgments about how their nose looks for at least 6 months after surgery. Patients must be patient after surgery and wait for small amounts of swelling to subside.