Revision (Secondary) Rhinoplasty

Many people who have undergone a rhinoplasty may be unhappy with the aesthetic and/or functional results of their procedure, and may seek additional surgery to correct their problem in order to achieve the results they desire. Unsatisfactory results may occur as a result of a complicated condition, an inexperienced surgeon, or simply due to the patient’s healing techniques.

Revision rhinoplasty, also known as secondary rhinoplasty, is a complicated procedure that is most successfully performed by a rhinoplasty specialist to reshape or resize the nose after an initial procedure.

What are my options?

Some of the problems patients complain of after their initial rhinoplasty procedure include:

Pinched tip
Pulled up nostrils
Creases around the nostrils
Scooped out profile
Breathing difficulties

These problems can range from minor imperfections to severe deformities. Dr. Trussler strives to help patients achieve the highest level of satisfaction from their rhinoplasty and will do his/her best to produce the results that the patient desires.

Considerations

Anyone who is unhappy with the results of their initial rhinoplasty procedure may be a candidate for revision rhinoplasty. Patients should discuss their initial procedure with either their original surgeon or a different one in order to determine the new goals for revision. It is also important for patients to be both emotionally and financially prepared for additional surgery.

Your doctor will determine whether or not revision surgery is a possibility for you after discussing your goals for surgery and performing a physical examination.

Expectations

In most cases, it is recommended to wait at least a year after the initial procedure before undergoing revision rhinoplasty, as full healing should be complete in order to achieve a successful revision procedure. This also allows patients to evaluate the full results of their rhinoplasty procedure before making the decision to undergo additional surgery.

Surgery

The revision rhinoplasty procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis under deep sedation or general anesthesia to help reduce any potential discomfort. Revision rhinoplasty is usually performed using an open technique, allowing for greater visualization of the nasal cavity because the already-reshaped bone and cartilage may be more difficult to sculpt.

In cases where reshaping is difficult, a cartilage graft from the nasal septum, ear or rib may be required. Injectable fillers may also be used to correct small defects after the initial procedure, although use of the patient’s own cartilage is preferred. The entire procedure usually takes two and a half to four hours to perform.

After Care & Recovery

After the revision rhinoplasty procedure, patients will usually experience bruising and swelling for five to seven days, along with some mild pain that can be managed with medication prescribed by your doctor. Once bruising and swelling subside, patients can usually return to work and other regular activities. The nose will continue to heal and may change slightly in appearance over the course of a year after surgery, when full results will be visible.

Initial results of the revision procedure will be noticeable right away, but will continue to improve as swelling subsides and the nose heals. It is important for patients to wait until full results appear before deeming their procedure a success.

Whether you have a question or would like to setup a consultation, Dr. Trussler and his staff are here to help. Please fill out our contact form, call our office at 214-645-3118, or schedule in directly at 214-645-2353. Start your journey to not only looking, but feeling better today!