Can my nose be corrected? (Photo)

Question

I had a septorhinoplasty and I am not happy with the results. The goal was to make my nose more harmonious with my face while reducing the size some and correcting a deviated septum. Breathing has not improved but ontop of that, my bridge is uneven. I am 7 months post op at this point.

Gianfranco Frojo, MD · Answer

I usually say to wait 12-24 months before making a final decision on a rhinoplasty. I would return to see your original surgeon for further follow up if possible. If this is not a possibility, I would recommend seeing a board-certified plastic surgeon (with a 6 year integrated plastic surgery residency and The Aesthetic Society accredited aesthetic fellowship) for a consultation. I would recommend a physical exam in person to further evaluate what is going on with the nose.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Based on your photos, you appear to have thin nasal skin with a tilted nasal tip appearance and an over-projected tip appearance on profile. Examination would be favorable if you were to have most or all of your nasal septal cartilage available for grafting purposes. You may benefit from tip deprojection and rotation and grafting to your external nasal valves for an open and clear nasal Airway. Please consult with several reputable rhinoplasty specialists and having a copy of your operative report and pre-operative photos may be beneficial. I hope this helps! Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

To my eye, the profile view shows that the tip is still low, and could be elevated. The low tip accentuates the small remaining bump on the profile. The third photo makes the nose seem strong in its forward projection, and still prominent from that standpoint.

You're seven months out, and we usually wait until about a year before doing a revision, or maybe a touch less, but there doesn't seem to be much swelling in your nose right now, so these issues probably won't change for the better in the coming months, sorry. In particular, a nose that is too long-ish doesn't tend to shorten with time after surgery.

If you do decide to consider a revision, how *much* to elevate the tip, or deproject the nose, or make other changes? We figure that out with morphs, well before surgery. I'd love for you to see some excellent professionally-designed morphs of what could possibly be done with your nose. Morphs could also help you identify better just what's bothering you, and help you set a goal for the rhinoplasty that's accurate for your tastes. Profile and three-quarter views would be particularly important in morphing your nose. (Side note: in my opinion, morphs should really be done by the surgeon, or he should direct an assistant as she makes the morphs. Morphs should be made with a constant eye to what actually *can* be done in surgery, for that particular nose, and the surgeon has that information and judgment best.)

Finally, remember that rhinoplasty is an exquisitely difficult operation to get right, and you should only have surgery if you are able to make yourself very confident in your surgeon's skills. The changes that your nose needs require advanced techniques, and skill that most plastic surgeons don't possess with expertise. It's much better to not have surgery than to have inexpertly-performed surgery. Read my essay on how to stay out of trouble while selecting a rhinoplasty surgeon. And it also discusses how to take photos that are best for online evaluations.

And for those who have had previous surgery, it also discusses how to tell whether your first surgeon should be performing your revision.

Can my nose be corrected? (Photo)

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Everything you need to know about Revision Rhinoplasty

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Can my nose be corrected? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Revision Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.