Revision Rhinoplasty
There is always a risk that the results of your rhinoplasty surgery will not look exactly as expected. In this situation, your surgeon may recommend revision rhinoplasty. This term refers to a nose job performed on any patient who has previously undergone one or more nose job procedures. The intention of a revision or secondary nose job is to improve upon or modify the results of a previous rhinoplasty operation. It can be a way of fixing a “botched” nose job or one that simply produced less than satisfactory aesthetic results.
Are You a Good Candidate for Revision Rhinoplasty?
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your nose job, then you may be a good candidate for revision rhinoplasty. If you feel that too much tissue was removed from the nostrils, the bridge of your nose was not narrowed enough, or the tip was upturned more than you wanted it to, each of these issues may be corrected through revision rhinoplasty. This procedure is also recommended for those who have encountered complications such as difficulty breathing through the nose as a result of their rhinoplasty.
It is recommended that patients wait at least two years after the initial surgery to consider revision rhinoplasty. Although it may only take a couple of months for the nose to appear healed, it could actually take several years for the nasal tissue to settle into a more permanent position. Once the nose has settled, if you are still considering revision rhinoplasty meet with a plastic surgeon to determine whether revision surgery is appropriate.
Revision Rhinoplasty Procedure
The procedure itself is very similar to the way the initial surgery was performed. In most cases, the only significant difference is that the revision surgery must be performed as an “open” procedure, involving an incision in the skin between the nostrils, as opposed to a “closed” procedure, which only requires incisions inside the nostrils. This is necessary because the initial procedure often leaves behind scar tissue that can interfere with the surgeon’s attempts to access the nasal tissues without the additional incision.
During rhinoplasty, whether an initial procedure or revision surgery, the surgeon changes the shape of the nose by altering the structure of the cartilage, bone, and soft tissues. This can be accomplished either by trimming excess away or augmenting natural tissues by adding synthetic materials or tissue grafts. Once the surgical reshaping is complete, splints or tape hold the nose together so that it heals with the correct contours.
Complications & Risks
The potential complications and risks are the same as for other rhinoplasty procedures. These include reactions to anesthesia, infection, swelling, bleeding, burst blood vessels on the nose, and asymmetrical alignment of the nose.
Revision Rhinoplasty Recovery Time
While the recovery process is much the same as for the initial procedure, in many cases patients recover from revision rhinoplasty faster and find the healing process to be less painful. Side effects to be expected include bruising and swelling which may extend upwards to give the patient the appearance of “black eyes.” These side effects usually last for one to three weeks, with most patients returning to work by the end of two weeks. It is important to avoid strenuous exercise or bumping the nose until it has healed completely. Learn more about the recovery time after rhinoplasty surgery.
Revision Rhinoplasty Cost
The cost of revision rhinoplasty is typically higher than for the primary rhinoplasty cost. It usually ranges from $8,000 to $15,000. This figure includes the surgeon’s fee as well as the costs for anesthesia and the surgical center. The surgeon’s fee can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the surgery. In general, revision surgery is more complex than primary rhinoplasty, leading to its higher cost.