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Revision Rhinoplasty - How Many is Too Many?

asked 4 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Richard Ellenbogen, MD
Question viewed 3,463 times
Tags: frequency, safety

I have already had two revision rhinoplasties and think I might need a third? Is that too many?

22 answers to Revision Rhinoplasty - How Many is Too Many?

+5

Revision Rhinoplasty - Each case is different

There is no definite rule, and each case is different. The number of revisions will depend on the scope of each surgery, and the condition of the nose. During the consultation process, expectations, goals, risk/benefit and cost/benefit are all factors to be discussed.
Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon
+3

No one likes to think about going through surgery and...

No one likes to think about going through surgery and recovery more than once. At Profiles Beverly Hills, patients who have not been entirely happy with prior cosmetic results often are referred to us seeking revision surgery. This is not to say that many patients are unhappy after surgery…quite the contrary is true. A great majority of patients are happy with their outcomes and most are not looking for perfection. What is a minor imperfection to some, though, is not so to others... more
Peyman Solieman, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

How Many Revisions?

Revisions are an unfortunate potential in surgery, whether discretionary or necessary.  The number really does depend on what it takes to get the job done and realistic expectations. Discuss your expectations, goals, risk/benefit and cost/benefit with your surgeon.
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Number of revision rhinoplasties

There is no hard and fast rule regarding the number of revision rhinoplasties. It depends on what is done at each surgery. Obviously a small trim of the alar base is different from a rib catilage graft.
Jay M. Pensler, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.plasticsurg.org

+2

Too many rhinoplasties? Don't ask Michael Jackson

You need to visit a well established rhinoplasty specialist. There is no magic number for revision rhinoplasty, but as I have said so many times in this forum, please choose your rhinoplasty surgeon most carefully. Unfortunately, many patients spend more time picking out the color of their new car interior than they do on choosing their surgeon. Your nasal deformity needs to be diagnosed by a specialist with experience who will then share with you the plan for revision. In the Midwest,... more
Michael A. Persky, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

How many is too many revisions

One revision is too many for some. After a few the nose isn't pliable and fixable anymore. Every case is different. Perfection is the enemy of good.
Richard Ellenbogen, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Number of revision surgeries

There is no magic number to tell you how many surgeries are too many. I have personally seen patients who had undergone 8 rhinoplasties, and were still seeking a revision! That being said, multiple surgeries can disrupt the blood supply and lead to an increased risk of skin damage. The surgeon has to be very careful with all of these surgeries. 
Ryan Greene, MD, PhD

Fort Lauderdale Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

There is no absolute number of rhinoplasties that's too much.

The bigger question is why you think you may need a third rhinoplasty.  There is no magic number that's too many rhinoplasties.  I have operated on patients that have had 4 and 5 prior rhinoplasties.  The main thing is why do you think you need another surgery.  Can you not breathe?  Are the specific cosmetic concerns that you want addressed?  Next, you need a surgeon that has experience in revision rhinoplasty and performs a complete exam.  It is... more
Raghu Athre, MD

Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.athresurgical.com

+1

How Many Rhinoplasty Procedures Are Too Many?

Typically the limit in the number of rhinoplasty procedures a patient can receive is the condition of the skin soft tissue covering .  In patients with multiple rhinoplasty procedures, the blood supply can get disrupted and make procedures to the nose not as safe.  Seek a surgeon with experience in revision rhinoplasty who can discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure for your specific case.
Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Multiple revision rhinoplasties

Rhinoplasty is a popular and effective surgery to recontour the shape of your nose. If the patient who has had several rhinoplasties, their tissue may be damaged or scarred. This may make it extremely difficult if another rhinoplasty is attempted. Rather than continue to have multiple revisions, seek help only with experienced board-certified plastic surgeons who perform many revision rhinoplasties. These experts will be able to assess the quality of your nasal tissue and determine if... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

It depends on the condition of the nose and whether there is unrealized potential

If the tissues are healthy there is no danger in doing multiple rhinoplasty revisions. I have successfully performed revisions in patients who have had 5 prior rhinoplasties yet have turned away patients with only 1 prior rhinoplasty. The key is to make sure that you seek an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon.
Sam Naficy, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

seattleface.com

+1

Not the number of surgeries, but the condition of the nose that matters

Whether or not revision rhinoplasty is a good idea depends on: 1. How damaged is the nose--its structural integrity, the state of the skin envelope, and its bone and cartilage infra-structure. 2. How realistic are the patient's goals. Revision surgery tends to be more difficult becuase the surgeon is starting from a compromised baseline. So the patient must be realistic in understanding limitations of surgery. If one expects or needs perfection, then revision surgery may lead to... more
David W. Kim, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.dwkimmd.com

+1

Appropriateness of revision rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is THE most difficult cosmetic procedure even though it is one of the commonest and longest (over 100 years) performed. Not surprisingly revisions, i.e. secondary corrections of residual cosmetic or functional defficiencies are common. The rate varies but 5-10% is not unusual even in the best of hands. Sometimes the revision is very minor other times it may require a complete redo. Revisons are more challenging than the original procedure beccause the " normal"... more
Andrew Pichler, MD

Sacramento Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Revision rhinoplasty

I believe that there is no real limit to how many rhinoplasty revisions one can have, as long as there is a possiblilty of additional improvement. I have done nearly 1000 revision rhinoplasties and I once operated opon a patient for the first time who had had 7 previous nose surgeries. He only needed one more!
Howard T. Bellin, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Number of nose surgeries can you have

If you are not happy and you have a problem that can be fixed, then another revision surgery is not too much. The key is finding the right doctor. You should pick a board certified facial plastic or plastic surgeon that is an expert in revision nose surgery. At a minimum your surgeon should be doing 50 plus nose surgeries a year and have many years of surgical experience with surgery of the nose. As always, ask for pictures and ask many questions so that you feel comfortable with your... more
Carlos Wolf, MD

Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Re-do Nose Job (Rhinoplasty) - A Third time may not be the Charm

You are contemplating a 4th operation on your nose without stating the reason for doing so. With Rhinoplasty, the first time is the best time "to get things right", each subsequent procedures exemplifies the principle of diminishing returns and finally things begin to worsen. If you have a major yet fixable issue and are seeing an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon, it MAY be reasonable to proceed if the likelihood of success is high. On the other hand, if this is a minor issue, I... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

How Many Rhinoplasties

You can have several rhinoplasties but the important thing is to get it right and not get any more rhinoplasties. You need to figure out realistic goals in terms of improvement and realize that risks of surgery increase with increasing number of revisions. Once you feel you have recieved an improvement you can live with, then do not get any more surgery. Small irregularites can be helped with fillers and is a very good non invasive choice. Regards
Tanveer Janjua, MD

Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Revision rhinoplasty

It really depends. It is true that with every subsequent surgery it gets harder and harder to not only perform the surgery, but also to achieve the best result. However, provided you choose an experienced and meticulous rhinoplasty surgeon, it is possible you will get a better result after your next surgery. Both you and your surgeon will have to be very careful, and will have many things to evaluate and discuss before the surgery.
Stella Desyatnikova, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Revision Rhinoplasty: How Many Surgeries is "Too Many"

There are many factors that determine whether or not patients are good candidates for secondary (revision) rhinoplasty. The number of prior surgeries is less important that the quality and characteristics of the nasal skin, framework, and the amount of scar tissue present. Other factors include the extent of the deformities, the risk:benefit ratio of correcting problems without causing addtional ones, and also the patient's psychological stability. These are all factors that must be... more
C. Spencer Cochran, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.rhinoplasty-usa.com

+1

Consider consulting a physician experienced in Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty

If you've had 3 Rhinoplasties, a 4th could leave you with a bigger problem than you have now. If the size of your nose is normal to small, Injectable Fillers may be the best option to restore a normal, unoperated appearance to your nose. Feel free to email me a full face frontal and profile photo, and I'll be happy to share my thoughts with you. I've attached a link to my Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty photos for your perusal. I hope this is helpful for you. Best regards.
Eric M. Joseph, MD

West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

How many rhinoplasties are enough?

How many rhinoplasties are enough? This is a very difficult question to answer. To a large extent it depends upon how extensive were your previous rhinoplasties. If only a small amount of tissue was removed or repositioned, then there is still a lot of tissue that is left to work with that can be utilized to achieve the results that you want. However, if the previous surgeries were extensive, then you might require an extensive surgery to achieve the results you are looking for. There is no... more
Scott Trimas, MD

Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

How Many Revision Rhinoplasties?

You ask a very important and sensible question. It really depends on the extent of your previous operations. The problem with repeated extensive procedures is additional scarring and compromised circulation. See an experienced surgeon who does a lot of revision work.
Richard W. Fleming, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

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