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Why Can't I Have an Early Rhinoplasty Revision?

asked 3 years ago by lostnose in ohio
Latest answer by Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
Question viewed 2,934 times
Tags: nose, female, bulbous, tip

I had Rhinoplasty overseas, and asked the surgeon to minimize my tip about 2-3mm, to soften my look. When I woke up and the splint was removed, I noticed he gave me more than what I asked for. He took half my nose, left me with a bulbous tip, short nose deformity, and a pig snout! Since then, I've been depressed, confined myself at home, and just feel violated and very unnatural looking. I can't look at myself in the mirror anymore. I've asked for second opinions, and surgeons want me to wait from 6 months to a year. I don't understand WHY; my nose is not getting any longer in 6 months, that's very clear. I understand the healing process takes up to a year, but why prolong my misery when swelling clearly isn't going to resolve my nose issues?

14 answers to Why Can't I Have an Early Rhinoplasty Revision?

Wait for proper healing before Revision Rhinoplasty

I understand Rhinoplasty patients that didn't get what they wanted are impatient to have Revision Rhinoplasty but...the skin, of the nose is not properly healed and doing a Revision Rhinoplasty could cause damage to the skin of your nose that is permanent. Wait the full 6 months and don't risk it.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

drfrancispalmer.com

You are right about the nose not getting longer!

The reason we make patients wait 6 months or more is to let the tissue soften and return to its final shape. However, I think there are exceptions to this rule based on how far along you are in the healing process. You do not want to compound the problem. You should see a revision rhinoplasty specialist with a great deal of experience. A short, overdone nose is a very challenging problem and should only be undertaken by a surgeon who is familiar with this problem. He should be able to show... more

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

You don't have to wait that long for a revision rhinoplasty

Dear Lostnose, First, let me say it's important for you to try to get back into your normal life with the knowledge that this can be improved. That being said, there is a general rule in facial plastic surgery and with rhinoplasty that revision should be held off for at least 6 months to a year. The reasons are varied but most importantly to allow for your skin to have adequate time to heal, especially in regards to the blood supply. Others will say that it allows for all the swelling to... more

Peyman Solieman, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Wait one year for revision rhinoplasty (in most cases)

Trying to perform a revision rhinoplasty during the healing period is like trying to hit a moving target. The maneuvers we perform as surgeons are based upon what the nose looks like at the time of surgery; we cannot anticipate how things will end up necessarily. Thus, we may add or subtract too much, rotate too much or too little if we do the surgery while the nose is still healing. Best to wait until this is complete. I know this is difficult to do, but to get the best possible... more

Sam Most, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

What's Wrong with Early Rhinoplasty Revision?

Hi Lostnose, I am so sorry that your overseas rhinoplasty experience has resulted in a nose that you did not desire. Rushing ahead too soon after a your first operation can result in compromise of blood vessels to your nose, permanently damaged skin, increased bleeding, and increased scar tissue formation, not to mention a much more difficult operative field for your surgeon to work in. Ideally you would like to have only one more revision rhinoplasty, and you optimize that likelihood by... more

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Early Rhinoplasty Revision

Sorry to hear about your distress. Your experience underscores the dangers of overseas surgery. The general reasons to wait include: 1) providing adequate time to heal, especially in regards to the blood supply 2) ensure swelling has settled in order to better understand the objectives of the revision 3) any inflammation existing may complicate the surgery However, each case is different. Consult with 3 - 4 board certified plastic surgeons to... more

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Revision Rhinoplasty and why you have to wait?

First of all I would like to express my sincere empathy for your situation. I have performed Rhinoplasty surgery for over thirty years and it always discerning to me when I see a poor result from other surgeons and the emotional trauma this causes can be quite significant. With this said, please try and resume your life and know that your situation can be improved upon with a Revision Rhinoplasty. I understand your urgency in the matter however waiting the appropriate post operative time is... more

Michael Elam, MD
Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

Wait 9 - 12 months before considering revision rhinoplasty

Typically most of the swelling in the nose resolves within the first few weeks following rhinoplasty but there is a small residual amount which can take up to 12 months or longer to resolve. There is also a gradual process of contracture as the nose becomes increasingly refined, particularly at the tip. Going in too early for revision surgery is not advised because there may be other issues with the nose which haven't yet become apparent. Additionally, the surgeon may be... more

Umang Mehta, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.mehtaplasticsurgery.com

Surgery can result in unfavourable results

It is generally accepted that a 5-10% revision rhinoplasty rate occurs in the best of experienced rhinoplasty surgeons. Waiting 6-12 months allows the tissues to fully heal so that the surgeon can assess what needs to be done to correct the problem.

Robert Mounsey, MD
Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon

Much better to wait

You will likely need cartilage grafting to your nose which will require the skin of your nose to be back to normal to allow the nose to expand. Seek an experienced surgeon for your revision. Unfortunately this could cost you a great deal more than the cost of your primary surgery performed overseas.

Sam Naficy, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

seattleface.com

Waiting after rhinoplasty surgery - healing after rhinoplasty

Optimizing results with a secondary rhinoplasty requires patience on the part of the patient and the physician. Early in the postoperative course (first 6 months to one year) there is moderate swelling that may obscure full visualization of the underlying structural integrity of the nose. It is always best to wait at least 6 months to one year prior to revision. Although one year is a classically described time period, 6 months may be appropriate for specific cases.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Wait at least 6 months for your revision rhinoplasty if not 1 year

I will give you an analogy. Going back into a nose that has been operated on is very difficult. It is like trying to peel a stamp off of a letter that has been on there for a while. We want to be able to get that stamp off in one piece without ripping or tearing it. The longer you wait (up to a year) the easier that is to do. You already had a bad experience now you want to give yourself the best opportunity to get the results you desire and your problem is very complex and will... more

Jason B. Diamond, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Early rhinoplasty revision

I have done over 800 revision rhinoplasties to correct other doctor's errors and I strongly disagree with surgeons who will do an early revision. Although the patient may be insistent, early surgery can only make things worse. It is well known that complete healing does not take place for at least 6 months and sometimes a year. During that time, many changes can occur. Doing an early revision can mean trying to operate through extensive scar tissue. It also means that accurate judgements... more

Howard T. Bellin, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Why you should wait before a revision rhinoplasty

Looking at your photo it is obvious that the surgery was only a few weeks ago. It is not uncommon to have an over-rotated tip this early on. It is also not uncommon to have a significant amount of tip swelling that makes it look bulbous. The airplane flight home also probably increased your swelling even more. These early changes can be normal, depending on what was done. While 6 months may be a long time to wait, only the original surgeon knows exactly what was done. Any new surgeon has... more