5 Facts About Revision Rhinoplasty

If your rhinoplasty does not go as planned, there is still the possibility of a secondary treatment called as revision rhinoplasty. If something happens to your nose after the first operation, such as an injury, you may want to undergo revision rhinoplasty. If you’re wondering if a second rhinoplasty is in your future or if it’s something you should think about, it’s a good idea to learn everything you can about the operation first. There are a few facts concerning revision rhinoplasty that you may not be aware of.

Do you actually need a revision rhinoplasty?

For a variety of reasons, most plastic surgeons think that rhinoplasty is one of the most difficult cosmetic (aesthetic) plastic surgery treatments. The nose is a complex structure that occupies a prominent position in the middle of one’s face. Expert rhinoplasty necessitates treating nasal deformities while maintaining maximum nasal function. It is impossible to make a nose seem beautiful without first enhancing nasal airway function.

One widespread misunderstanding regarding revision rhinoplasty is that it is a treatment that everyone will require. There is a common misconception that a skilled surgeon would need to make minor surgical changes with a subsequent treatment, or that he will wish to repair minor flaws following the initial procedure. In the best-case scenario, you’ll be entirely satisfied with your new nose after the first operation, and the outcome will endure for a long time, if not for the rest of your life, which means you won’t need another surgery in the future.

Why do patients choose revision rhinoplasty?

Patients seeking revision or secondary rhinoplasty put plastic surgeons’ abilities and experience to the test. Revision rhinoplasty is performed on any patient who has previously had rhinoplasty one or more times and wishes to enhance the look and, in some cases, function of the nose. For a variety of reasons, they are among the most difficult patients that aesthetic plastic surgeons handle.

For one thing, patients are frequently dissatisfied with their previous surgery and may be unaware that further rhinoplasty may not be successful in totally treating aesthetic defects that were not repaired in the previous operation or arose as a result of surgery. Scar tissue from previous rhinoplasty is frequently a problem in revision instances and can restrict the ultimate outcome since it can reoccur even after successful revision rhinoplasty. In addition, revision rhinoplasty frequently necessitates the use of cartilage to replace damaged and/or inadequate cartilage removed during the previous operation.

The nasal septum may be deviated, which necessitates repair to enhance both the look and function of the nose. Nasal blockage can also be induced by the tip cartilages collapsing, resulting in external valve collapse. Deviation of the nasal septum, as well as deficits in the upper lateral cartilages, are prevalent in revision cases, resulting in internal valve collapse, necessitating the insertion of cartilage transplants known as “spreader grafts” to spread open this confined region.

What are the differences of a revision rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty are not the same thing. In fact, revision rhinoplasty is claimed to be more difficult than rhinoplasty, which is regarded one of the most difficult plastic surgery treatments. Revision surgery entails more than just retracing the initial surgeon’s steps. During the operation process, the doctor must operate around the previously changed nasal tissue as well as any scar tissue that has formed.

The surgeon may be uninformed of the nasal structural alterations as well, especially if he was not the doctor who did the first operation.

A revision treatment often takes longer than an original rhinoplasty because of the extra issues a surgeon must work with or around, which commonly entails the restoration of the nose’s natural supporting components, including the addition of cartilage taken from the rib or the ear

What exactly is done in a revision rhinoplasty?

Revision rhinoplasty frequently requires different techniques and necessitates the use of cartilage to provide structural support for the nose’s tip and/or bridge while fixing the deformity and correcting the appearance. Septal cartilage is frequently insufficient, and plastic surgeons are frequently forced to use cartilage from elsewhere in the body, most notably the ear and, on rare occasions, the rib. Soft tissue anomalies around the bridge of the nose or tip may also need tissue that serves as a cover or disguise and functions as a permanent “natural filler.” “Temporalis fascia” is a good source since it may be extracted from a distant incision within the hairline and resulting in no visible shortfall. Scarring within the nose may need the use of skin grafts to reopen a deformed and constricted nasal passage. Despite the best efforts of the surgeon, revision rhinoplasty has a greater revision rate than original rhinoplasty (no prior nasal surgery). It is critical that you understand this, since no ethical plastic surgeon can guarantee the success of revision rhinoplasty or any other cosmetic plastic surgery operation.

Choosing your doctor

When individuals begin to consider revision rhinoplasty, one of the first things they must address is “who will conduct the procedure?” It’s common for patients to be advised to seek out a new surgeon for their revision treatment, but this isn’t always the case.

There are times when returning to your initial surgeon is the best course of action, assuming you trust him. If you thought that the surgeon you worked with during the initial operation did not truly listen to you, it is advisable to locate a different doctor to work with, one who will take your concerns seriously and freely answer any questions you may have.

Even if you felt communication between you and the previous doctor was good, if you didn’t like his work or the way your nose turned out, it’s usually preferable to choose a different doctor.

However, there are times when the cause for your revision surgery is beyond the surgeon’s control. Sometimes the nose heals in unforeseen ways, changing what were initially great early results that may later be restored with very minimal amounts of labor.

Alternatively, you may have liked the effects of your nose surgery for years after the first treatment and had an excellent connection with the surgeon. But then you were in a car accident or were hurt while playing a sport, and the injuries distorted your nose. In such situation, you might want to visit the first surgeon, especially if you liked his work the first time you saw him.

However, there is one condition. Because rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty are distinct procedures, it is critical to pick certified cosmetic surgeons who have performed successful revision operations. Picking a new surgeon requires the same amount of study as the previous one. Inquire about his expertise with revision operations, how many he conducts and how frequently, and request to view images of or talk with previous patients. So, if you are considering revision rhinoplasty, be sure your board-certified plastic surgeon has extensive rhinoplasty expertise. Revision cases are more likely to be seen by experienced rhinoplasty surgeons than by those who do this procedure infrequently. In the end, the choice to undergo revision rhinoplasty is entirely personal. Choosing an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who has “connected” with you and won your confidence will give you the highest chance of success. Most patients who are dissatisfied with the results of original rhinoplasty will be delighted with the ultimate result of revision rhinoplasty if they follow these basic guidelines.

Recovery Time

Just as the revision surgery differs from what you may expect, so does the healing period. While one patient is able to return to work in the same length of time following a revision surgery as they were after their initial surgery, your experience may be different depending on the severity of swellings, so it will vary. It may take a few days or perhaps a week before you feel ready to resume your normal life. Swelling may last for several months following revision surgeries, depending on the complexity of the procedure and the thickness of your skin.

You might want to wait a bit

One of the most crucial factors to understand about revision surgery is that it cannot be scheduled quickly after your initial aesthetic surgery. It takes some time for your nose to recover after rhinoplasty, and during that period it will adjust to its new size and shape. You may not be satisfied with the way it appears a month or even six months after nose job, but your surgeon will normally advise you to wait at least ten months before deciding whether to undergo a revision treatment.

If you are ready to learn more about your revision rhinoplasty, give us a call and one of our medical consultants will help you find the best board certified surgeon for your specific needs.