Fillers permanently ruined my nose. Do I need a rhinoplasty to fix this? Had 21 dissolving sessions (Photo)

Question

I got nose filler 12 months ago. I was overfilled so badly I got them dissolved a few days later. The filler was so stubborn I had to have 21 dissolving sessions to reach some normalcy. A recent MRI didn’t indicate any remaining HA filler. My nose still has lumps in some areas and is a lot wider than it used to be. The area between lower lateral cartilages feels squidgy and turns stiff when outside. My nose is very prone to swelling with a polly beak appearance. What is the matter?

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

I personally don't like filler in noses, except to fill in a tiny, tiny persistent dent after a complicated revision. Your "before" photo shows a nice small-ish nose with perhaps some prominence of the tip cartilages and excess width of the bridge (I know, that's just from the one view you posted). But what would filler do to that nose? Filler could only make the tip look bigger or the bridge wider, changes I doubt you were seeking.  Anyway, sorry for the rant. At this point, there is nothing left that any injectible dissolving agent can change. Leave the nose alone and see if the tip shrinks any over a couple of months of rest from the injections. At that point, you could consider a surgical rhinoplasty to make the changes you might have been seeking in the first place. But you have to be very careful in selecting your surgeon. No offense, but more careful than in selecting the filler doctor. 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. For most noses, 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.

Oakley Smith, MD, FRCSC · Answer

During a rhinoplasty to correct the the bridge or tip of the nose the remaining filler can be removed. It is better for you to consult with a facial plastic surgeon who can examine you and discuss the surgical procedure and the post op recovery process.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

A surgical rhinoplasty can be done to thin out your ti. Your tip cartilage appears to be thick and these can be thinned out. Also the skin on your tip could be thinned out from the deep side to get better definition

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Some fillers can leave residual, volume and change anatomy slightly. It’s not a matter of hyaluronic acid being dissolved or not. For most cases, it’s better to let fillers subside on their own and avoid reversal. I’ve never heard of somebody having a reversal more than once or possibly twice. 
Having reversal injections 21 times makes little sense. simply having that many injections in your nose could lead to inflammation and scar tissue information.
Your pictures don’t demonstrate a significant problem, and I think most people, unaware of your history would not be able to point out which picture has a problem in it.
I suggest giving yourself a couple of years before considering any further intervention.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Fillers permanently ruined my nose. Do I need a rhinoplasty to fix this? Had 21 dissolving sessions (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Fillers, excess of reversal and long-term outcomes

Answer: Fillers, excess of reversal and long-term outcomes

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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Fillers permanently ruined my nose. Do I need a rhinoplasty to fix this? Had 21 dissolving sessions (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Fillers, excess of reversal and long-term outcomes

Answer: Fillers, excess of reversal and long-term outcomes

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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