Ask a doctor

How close to my old nose can I get with revision rhinoplasty? (photos)

I had open rhino/septoplasty and it dramatically changed and imbalanced my face. I want to know whether once the healing period has passed I can get revision to get as close to my old nose as possible. I want the bridge widened slightly and the tip derotated and length put back in so it's pointy and long like before. Is this achievable? I want my nose to look natural & ethnic as opposed to 'done' which I feel I have now, it feels too short and stubby and the top of the bridge looks too narrow.

Doctor Answers 4

December 1st, 2016

Revision rhinoplasty to get old nose back

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

While you might not exactly get your old nose, a revision rhinoplasty can help you address your concerns to help improve the appearance of your nose. During a revision rhinoplasty you could widen the bridge of your nose with osteotomies and cartilage grafts as well as derotate your tip and straighten the dorsum of the nose. Depending on your first surgery, additional cartilage obtained from the ear or rib may be required to create the structure needed to give you the results you desire.

I recommended a consultation with an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon who is comfortable with revision rhinoplasty surgery.

Learn more: http://www.quatela.com/plastic-surgery/face/revision-rhinoplasty/

Vito C. Quatela, MD


Rochester Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 27 reviews

November 28th, 2016

How close to my old nose can I get with revision rhinoplasty?

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

It is impossible to get exactly your old nose back. It is possible to make some adjustments to the nose which would include cartilage grafting techniques, however it's very dependent upon if there's any cartilage left on the inside of the nose. It's also important to wait at least one year after the primary rhinoplasty before embarking on a revision. It's also a good idea to try to get your old operative reports to  understand what was accomplished in the primary procedure.

Learn more: https://www.seattlefacial.com/rhinoplasty_photos.html

William Portuese, MD
November 28th, 2016

Revision rhinoplasty

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

If you have had the opportunity to folllow this site, you should take comfort in your rhinoplasty having been done pretty well the first time around....that said, it is certainly reasonable to be critical and make the assessment/inquiry that you have

Although your dorsum is not significantly overresected (hence, your straight profile....not concave), you are a bit shortened...sometimes shortening alone or in combination with trimming tip cartilages can rotate the tip up in the absence of any specific maneuver intended to achieve upward rotation..... you seem to have nice nasal skin which is a prerequisite to lengthening and derotating techniques which usually include rib cartilage grafting when the septum has been used previously 

Good luck...

Learn more: Http://www.cohenwintersplasticsurgery.com

Richard Mark Winters, MD
November 28th, 2016

Short nose, rotated, unnatural,natural looking

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

From the photographs you provided your nose does look over rotated and surgical.  This can be corrected but the technique chosen depends on the degree of septal cartilage that was removed during the primary rhinoplasty.  In order to achieve a softer nasal tip and slightly broader nasal dorsum cartilage grafting will be required.  Cartilage grafts will also be required to lengthen the nose, counter rotating or derotating the nasal tip.  If a great deal of septal cartilage was removed with the primary rhinoplasty it will be necessary to acquire cartilage from the ear or the rib.  Both of these sources for cartilage are used frequently and reconstructive rhinoplasty. A very important question that any surgeon should ask is how long has been since your primary surgery? Some of the rotation created which surgery will resolve over time.

Edward Farrior, MD

Edward Farrior, MD
Tampa Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.5 out of 5 stars 15 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.