Tip + Revision Rhinoplasty. Why does it take so long for the tip to contour after a revision?

It’s been 11 months since my revision rhinoplasty; I have been seeing changes but not drastic ones. I still like my profile view better than the front view. The tip of my nose still looks swollen and hard. I can see some contouring starting to take form on the tip but it’s taking a while for me to be fully happy. I have my close to one year follow up this month, I hope my PS will bring hope, tell me that my nose is still changing. Why does it take so long for the tip to contour after a revision?

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by cuppcake88

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Why so long for tip revision?

Without seeing your before and knowing what was done it's hard to be precise. However I have done many revisions which involved releasing severe scar, reconstructing cartilage and supporting soft tissue to avoid future scar. In a number of these patients I know and tell them to expect an 18-24 month "project" to see final results. Be patient and talk to your surgeon about his/her expectations for you.

Michael L. Schwartz, MD

3 reviews

Fort Lauderdale Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.palmbeachface.com

Tip + Revision Rhinoplasty. Why does it take so long for the tip to contour after a revision?

I have performed Rhinoplasty and Revision Rhinoplasty for 25 years and the nose is unique in that each Rhinoplasty creates tissue injury and changes that increase with subsequent Rhinoplasty Surgeries. This includes lack of lymphatic drainage leading to prolonged nasal swelling. The nose does not allow swelling to remain unchanged for longer periods of time and eventually replaces it with subcutaneous scar tissue formation. Both of these processes contribute to the... more

Revision rhinoplsty requires a great deal of patience

Your concerns are not uncommon among those undergoing revision rhinoplasty. Each time the nose is operated on, more scar tissue forms. It is this scar tissue and contracture which take time to reorganize. It is an extremely difficult operation because it is very difficult to determine how the nose is going to change when performing techniques required in revision cases (such as cartilaginous grafting). Many times a surgeon must use strong cartilage such as that obtained from a rib to... more

It takes time for a nose heal after revision surgery.

The question you pose is good and I hear it often from patients that have undergone rhinoplasty, both primary and revision. The problem is the answer is so variable for each patient that it is not possible to give one that will cover all cases. It everything was done properly during your surgery there are many factors that can cause a tip to look full: In general the thicker (and more scarred) the skin is the longer it will take for the swelling to go down and tip definition to be... more