Revision rhinoplasty, also known as secondary rhinoplasty, is a surgical procedure performed to correct or improve the results of a previous rhinoplasty (nose job).
Essentially, it’s a follow-up surgery to address any issues or dissatisfaction that arose after the initial procedure.
Why might someone need revision rhinoplasty?
There are various reasons why someone might seek a revision rhinoplasty, including:
Aesthetic concerns: The patient may be unhappy with the appearance of their nose after the first surgery. This could involve issues like:
Asymmetry
Persistent bump or deviation
Unnatural or disproportionate appearance
Issues with the nasal tip or nostrils
Functional problems: The initial surgery may have caused or failed to correct breathing problems, such as:
Nasal obstruction
Difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils
Complications: Problems may have arisen after the first surgery, such as:
Infection
Excessive scarring
Collapse of nasal structures
What does revision rhinoplasty involve?
Assessment: The surgeon will carefully evaluate the patient’s nose, discuss their concerns, and determine the best approach for revision.
Corrective techniques: Depending on the specific issues, the surgeon may use various techniques to reshape the nose, including:
Reshaping bone and cartilage
Adding or removing tissue
Using grafts (from the ear, rib, or septum) to rebuild or support nasal structures
Functional improvement: If breathing problems are present, the surgeon will address these by correcting any structural issues within the nasal passages.
Important considerations:
Complexity: Revision rhinoplasty is generally more challenging than primary rhinoplasty due to scar tissue and altered anatomy from the previous surgery.
Experience: It’s crucial to choose a surgeon with extensive experience in revision rhinoplasty to ensure the best possible outcome.
Realistic expectations: It’s important to have realistic expectations about what can be achieved with revision rhinoplasty. The surgeon will discuss the possibilities and limitations of the procedure.
Recovery: Recovery from revision rhinoplasty can be longer than the initial surgery, and there may be more swelling and bruising.