When Can I Get Nose Lengthening Procedure After 4th Rhinoplasty?

asked 2 years ago by Sam85 in London
Latest answer by Richard W. Fleming, MD
Question viewed 2,917 times
Tags: nose, nostrils, revision, swelling, tip

My doc told me that my nose cannot be lengthening using rib graphs and he just performed Alar rim graph and alar base reduction. This is my 4th Rhinoplasty. There is significant swelling which does not look normal. The nostrils look big.

This swelling concerns me. I would like to get my nose lengthened slightly using rib graphs and refine my tip. When can I get the nose lengthening done and how long will the present swelling take to reduce?

6 answers to When Can I Get Nose Lengthening Procedure After 4th Rhinoplasty?

Fourth Rhinoplasty

Hi, Although 4 rhinoplasties seem like a lot, it all depends on what was done in each of them. Many patients will have little done between the first, second or third. This should be taken into consideration by the surgeon. I also believe that some revisions can be done as soon as 3 months after the previous procedure. Typically, most surgeons would say to wait one year. As far as lengthening your nose and tip refinement, that needs to be determined in a consultation. If you have an ethnic... more

Oleh Slupchynskyj, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

3 rhinoplasties is enough!

You need to stop having rhinoplasties. At this point, after 3 surgeries by hopefully well-qualified surgeons, you are as good as it gets for you in most all cases. Give the swelling a year to go down and try to adapt to your nose. There are just times to stop and this is probably one of them!

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

The enemy of good is better (surgeons understand this).

At this point in time you risk the problem of ending up having Michael Jackon's Nose (RIP). IF you put repeatedly operated and scarred skin on stretch or tension with a lengthening graft (not graph), it is likely that the skin will ulcerate. This will result in exposure and probable loss of the graft. Currently you have a good result and despite your desire to seek a better outcome, my advice to you is to refrain from any additional surgery before you get in irreparable trouble: " The... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Timing of 5th Rhinoplasty Procedure

The pictures you submit lead me to believe you just had the 4th surgery. Wait for resolution of current swelling, which will probably be several months to a year, before considering another revision. With the help of your expert revision surgeon, you will be able to evaluate your present result. If you're not patient, the outcome can be disastrous.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Secondary Rhinoplasty

The swelling has not resolved yet, and will take a long time for the swelling to go away because of the scarring. So, give it time to heal and the swelling to subside, DO NOT THINK OF ANOTHER RHINOPLASTY. With every surgery you run the risk of destroying your nose permanently.

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Multiple revision rhinoplasties

With each surgical revision of your nose, the results become increasingly unpredictable especially if you are trying to make additional refinements to the tip or lengthening the nose. My advice would be to wait for all swelling to resolve before you consider additional rhinoplasty surgery of at least one year. It may be possible to do additional surgery but that would depend on healing factors and the current status of your nose and skin. Besides if you wait you might be satisfied with the... more

Scott Trimas, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

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