Revision Timeline
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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