A rhinoplasty can be life changing. The nose is the most prominent and important feature on one’s face and can define how an individual feels about him or herself. Thus, many people choose to undergo a nose job and love the results. However, if one is not careful in their choice of surgeon, there may be complications. Sometimes a surgeon may not remove enough cartilage and tissue or they may remove too little. Either way, a patient may not like the results and may want a revision rhinoplasty.
A revision rhinoplasty can be similar to the original surgery, especially if it requires removing additional tissue. However, if too much tissue is removed then the procedure is more complex. Tissue has to be removed from another part of the body (i.e. the ear, ribs, etc), and re-placed in the nose. This takes a nuanced surgeon to add the tissue and mold it to create the desire result.
Rhinoplastys are generally performed under local or general anesthesia. The procedure time will vary. The surgeon will make internal incisions in the nostrils or at the base of the nose. After the surgery, splits, nasal supports, and bandages will be put in place. The major bruising and swelling will subside in the first two weeks. Cold compresses help reduce the swelling and generally over-the-counter pain medication is enough to keep the discomfort at bay. The full results will be seen generally in six months following the surgery.
The important thing with any surgery is to feel comfortable with one’s surgeon and make sure all the concerns and worries are addressed prior to the procedure. Especially with a revision rhinoplasty, it is imperative that a patient has realistic expectations about what the surgery results will look like. Because a revision rhinoplasty requires a nuanced hand, patients need to make sure they take the time to find an experienced and knowledgeable surgeon who has completed revision rhinoplasty surgeries. This will ensure the best results and take the worry out of a second surgery.