Revision Timeline

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No matter what your reasons are for wanting further refinements to your nose, you’ll need to wait an average of one year following your initial procedure. Why? It’s important to wait until all the swelling from your first surgery has subsided, especially if you think your reshaped nose is too big. Once your surgeon indicates that the swelling has
completely subsided (usually after one year has passed), the decision of when to have revision rhinoplasty is up to you. You can wait for a few more months or even wait a few years. In fact, revision rhinoplasty can be performed decades after your original procedure.

Special Considerations About Revision Rhinoplasty

As mentioned earlier, rhinoplasty is a complex cosmetic surgical procedure, and revision rhinoplasty is even more challenging. Scar tissue builds up within the nose following surgery, making it more difficult to sculpt the underlying structures. In addition, an inexperienced surgeon may have removed too much cartilage or bone,
making grafts a necessity in a follow-up procedure. Also, the nasal skin becomes thinner
with revision surgery and tends to contract more tightly around the underlying structures,
creating a “shrink wrap” effect. To avoid having the underlying
structures become visible under the skin, soft-tissue grafts are often necessary.

Choosing a Surgeon for Revision Rhinoplasty

If you aren’t satisfied with the results of your initial procedure, you can either return to the same surgeon for a touch-up procedure or seek out a surgeon who specializes in revision rhinoplasty. First, it’s important to remember that problems can occur even in the hands of the most experienced surgeons. If you did your homework when choosing your original surgeon, and you know that he or she was qualified and competent, you may wish to have your original surgeon perform the follow-up procedure. In most cases, if you require only a small touch-up, you may feel comfortable having your original surgeon perform the procedure. In some cases, however, you may wish to seek out a surgeon who specializes in revision rhinoplasty. For instance, if you feel that your surgeon lacked the necessary experience to produce a satisfactory result, if you require major refinements, or if your original surgeon doesn’t have
experience with follow-up procedures, it may be best to find a specialist. When looking for a surgeon to perform your follow-up procedure, be sure to ask if he or she performs revision rhinoplasty on a regular basis and insist on reviewing before-and-after photos of patients who have undergone revisional procedures.

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