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Is Rhinoplasty More Complicated After Having Septoplasty?

asked 2 years ago by Peter Mccaw in uk
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 1,001 times
Tags: nose, cartilage, scar tissue

I had Septoplasty to help with breathing and it worked. I am now considering Rhinoplasty to remove a bump on the bridge and reshape the nose. Is septoplasty minor compared to a 'nose job' ? Would it likely make any future cosmetic operation much more complicated?

I keep hearing Revision Rhinoplasty is a lot riskier and harder in achieving good results. Some cartilage was taken from the nose at the time (from the septum I think). Is this needed to reshape the nose?

Lastly, how long shoud I leave the scar tissue to heal from Septoplasty before Rhinoplasty? Thanks.

13 answers to Is Rhinoplasty More Complicated After Having Septoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is more complicated than septoplasty

Septoplasty will have no bearing on a rhinoplasty procedure unless septal cartilage is needed to reconstruct the nose and there is none left. This will make the rhinoplasty much more difficult. If this is a simple reductive rhinoplasty whereby the hump is removed and the bridge is narrowed and the tip is refined, then the septoplasty will have no bearing on the effect of the nose job. A rhinoplasty is more complicated than a septoplasty. A patient should wait approximately two months... more

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Rhinoplasty after Septoplasty

In the ideal world, you should have both the rhinoplasty and septoplasty performed at the same time. When a septoplasty is performed first, a portion of the septum is removed to improve the air passages. If later the dorsum is lowered during the rhinoplasty, there is a possibility that the nose maybe destabilized. This makes the surgery mildly more difficult, but an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon will be aware of these issues and account for it. Best regards, Dr.B

Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Tougher nose job

Yes, it's more difficult. A big difference in what you're reading and what you have is that you've only had the septum worked on. The rest of the nose may be completely virgin tissue. It's up to your plastic surgeon to discern this by reading your septoplasty operative note. Remember to wait at least 6 months (assuming only your septum was worked on) before having surgery. Your last question on cartilage needs is relevant if you need cartilage to achieve the improvements you need. Sometimes... more

Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty after Septoplasty

It may make the rhinoplasty a bit more difficult it may not. It just depends on what you need done during the rhinoplasty. If grafts are needed then there may not be enought grafts to perform the rhinoplasty in a way that is needed. Then the options may be to use grafts from other areas such as ear or rarely rib cartilage. However, I would not consider this to be as difficult as a revision or redo rhino. Good luck.

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty to follow septoplasty

If it is just a cosmetic rhinoplasty it should be ok. However, if you need grafts for spreader purposes or for the tip or columella, the donor sites may be limited if the septoplasty included removal of some of the septum.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

See a revision rhinoplasty specialist.

If only the septum was done you should wait 6 months. The rhinoplasty is not really considered a revision in your case if only the septum was done--it is like a primary. Usually, there is enough cartilage present in the septum if needed.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Risks of rhinoplasty after septoplasty

Alexander, septoplasty is a common nasal surgery and we freqeuntly are asked to do rhinoplasties later on in life on these patients. The critical issue that you already alluded to is cartilage. Many surgeons remove a substantial amount when performing a septoplasty, a surgery also called submucous resection. The good news is that having a bump removed on the bridge is a reduction type rhinoplasty, which means generally tissue is taken away. Occasionally, especially when the nose is... more

Edmund Fisher, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Secondary operations, such as secondary rhinoplasty, are more complicated

With the nose, more so than many parts of the body, secondary operations are more difficult. This is due to scar tissue and tissue changes that occur after the primary or first surgery. It would have been best to have both the rhinoplasty and the septoplasty done at the same time. Good luck with your procedure.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Special considerations after septoplasty

There are a couple of important considerations if a patient has had a prior septoplasty and is now considering a hump reduction. During a septoplasty, care is usually taken to preserve a good "dorsal strut" when resecting deviated cartilage. This means that the surgeon tries to preserve a good strip of cartilage (1 cm or more) along the bridge of the nose. But reducing the size of a hump during rhinoplasty usually means taking down some more of that dorsal cartilage. If just... more

David C. Pearson, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

It's best to have Septoplasty and Rhinoplasty performed at the same time.

You're exactally right. Septal cartilage is routinely used to support, and reshape the appearance of your nasal tip. Profile-bump removal will not be affected, but tip modification might. You should consult a qualified, experienced Rhinoplasty surgeon for a consultation. If you post / email me photos, I'll be happy to share my thoughts. I hope this helps, and best regards.

Eric M. Joseph, MD
West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.ericmjoseph.com

Rhinoplasty After Septoplasty

Two separate operations. It is safe to have them done at the same time or at different times. After septoplasty you should wait for at least six months if not a year to allow complete healing. Septoplasty will not make your rhinoplasty difficult unless your surgeon needs to get some cartilage from the septum to put in the nose for reshaping it. Regards

Tanveer Janjua, MD
Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty After Septoplasty Can Be More Complicated, But Good Results Are Possible

Rhinoplasty after septoplasty can be more complicated, but good results are possible if you choose a doctor who specialized in rhinoplasty. In most rhinoplasty surgeries, the surgeon uses cartilage from the septum to straighten, strengthen, or reshape the nasal framework. If the cartilage from the septum is removed or damaged during a septoplasty, there may not be adequate quantities available for the rhinoplasty. If there is not sufficient cartilage in your nose for a rhinoplasty, grafts... more

C. Spencer Cochran, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.rhinoplasty-usa.com

Rhinoplasty surgery after Septoplasty

Alexander 1, Yes, in general, rhinoplasty after a septoplasty is more complicated. However, nose job surgery complexity largely depends on exactly what was performed in the original deviated septum surgery, your particular nasal anatomy, and the desired results from cosmetic nasal surgery. Only after a comprehensive examination by a nasal cosmetic surgeon, can he/she be able determine the complexity of rhinoplasty in your particular case. Both septoplasty and rhinoplasty may be... more