Revision Rhinoplasty
The Procedure
Dr. Linder is often presented with patients requesting rhinoplasty revision. Therefore, he has decided to address this procedure and has hand selected board certified facial plastic surgeons from the Beverly Hills area to provide this service.
Rhinoplasty revision is a secondary procedure performed to correct unsatisfactory results from a primary nose reshaping surgery. Although many patients are pleased with the results of their primary rhinoplasties, there is a chance that complications may develop or that the outcome may not be as expected. In addition, the shape of the nose may not result as desired, or the patient may experience breathing difficulties in some cases.
Consulting About a Rhinoplasty Redo?
Be careful! A redo or “revision” is more technically challenging for any surgeon, even the most specialized and experienced. A perfect result can never be guaranteed. The decision-making is critical; sometimes, the best decision is to not re-operate. As I advise patients: Better to keep a minor imperfection than to risk a major one.
Techniques
The approach used for your rhinoplasty revision procedure, either an open or closed technique, will depend on your surgeon, individual circumstances, and goals for the surgery. With both options, once the incisions are made, your plastic surgeon will alter the cartilage and bone in order to reshape the structure of your nose into a more pleasing form and correct any breathing difficulties if necessary.
| Revision | The approach used for your rhinoplasty revision procedure, either an open or closed technique, will depend on your surgeon, individual circumstances, and goals for the surgery. With both options, once the incisions are made, your plastic surgeon will alter the cartilage and bone in order to reshape the structure of your nose into a more pleasing form and correct any breathing difficulties if necessary. |
| Open | The open technique for rhinoplasty revision involves an incision across the thin strip of tissue between the nostrils, called the columella. |
| Closed | The closed rhinoplasty revision technique is an approach involving incisions placed inside of the nose so that no scars will be apparent. |
Recovery
After the rhinoplasty revision surgery, a splint, tubes or packing, and bandages will be placed within and on the outside of your nose to protect it during the beginning of the recovery process. The majority of patients are able to return to work approximately one week after surgery. Strenuous activities, bending over, and exercise should be avoided for the first few weeks. The nose should not be exposed to direct sunlight for at least a few months. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions to follow during your recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How Long Must I Wait After My Primary Rhinoplasty Before Undergoing A Rhinoplasty Revision Procedure?
Patients should wait at least a year after their first nose reshaping surgery in order to see the final results before deciding whether or not to undergo a rhinoplasty revision procedure.
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How Long Will It Take To See The Results Of The Revision Procedure?
Final results may take up to a year to become apparent, but the improved appearance of your nose should be visible within a few weeks of surgery once swelling and bruising begin to resolve.
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How Long Will The Results Last?
The results of a rhinoplasty procedure, whether primary or secondary, are generally permanent. Your nose will continue to age naturally with the rest of your face.
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What Type Of Anesthesia Do You Use?
Anesthesia administered by a physician-anesthesiologist specializing in facial procedures. Under anesthesia, there is no pain and no awareness. An intravenous is started and you “drift off” to sleep.
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How Long Does The Procedure Take To Perform?
Approximately 1 hour in the operating room. Usually 1 hour in a fully monitored and state-of-the-art recovery room at the surgery center. Since most nasal procedures are performed entirely internally, dissolving stitches are placed into the nasal interior. These generally need not be removed.
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How Long Does It Take To Recover From?
Professional care is optional. If you choose to recover at home, someone must be with you the first night. As with all of our procedures, precise instruction/direction sheets are a “care package” of supplies and medications are provided.
The First Week: If your surgery has been only cosmetic, you will remove the internal nasal packing at home the day after surgery. Approximately 5 days after surgery, you will return to the office for removal of the protective cast. For patients who have functional surgery, with or without a cosmetic improvement, the packing will be removed in the office 5 days after surgery, at the same time the protective cast is removed. Contact lenses can be worn 2 to 3 days after surgery. At this time, you are free to return to work and usual activities and functions except for strenuous exercise. If there is any bruising at this time, it should disappear within the next 2 to 3 days and can be easily concealed with make-up (we will provide instruction). If you wear eyeglasses, we will teach you to suspend them from the forehead so that the glasses do not rest on the nasal bridge. This precaution must be observed for 5 weeks after surgery.
After That First Week: Any residual swelling rapidly diminishes. The nasal airway improves daily. Since the nasal interior tends to be somewhat dry after surgery, we provide a soothing saltwater nasal spray to refresh the healing internal tissues. Optimal breathing is generally achieved within 1 month. Generally, you will be seen twice weekly in the first month after surgery to check healing and answer your questions. Thereafter, visits are infrequent. Postoperative photos are taken no sooner than 3 months after surgery. Just in case you long to see what your “old nose” looked like, we provide copies of your preoperative photos for you.