How Soon Can I Have a Full Rhinoplasty After Septoplasty?

Ten days is too soon to judge your results.  It takes about 6 weeks to see the full benefit on breathing post septoplasty and up to one year for the rhinoplasty.  Follow up with your surgeon and express your concerns. 

You ask many important questions re: revision nasal plastic surgery. What is interesting is that you are considering revision surgery as early as 9 days after your original surgery. At this point, it is best to focus on your healing as you will notice significant changes over the next 6-9 months. Not all of these changes will be to your liking, I assume. Still, revision rhinoplasty should be postponed until that time.

Hello SLO2012;

I am curious why your surgeons would not do a rhinoplasty and septoplasty at the same time.  There are advantages like saving dollars and your time.  One operation, one anesthetic, one recovery period, and big savings, dollars and cents-wise. 

If the septoplasty has been successful and your breathing is better and you are satisfied, then, of course, you should have the rhinoplasty because you are obviously not happy with the external appearance of your nose, but I would certainly wait until three to four months and until your surgeon feels that the septal healing is complete.  I assume that at this point your breathing is better and all the symptoms this generated your need to have the septoplasty are absent. 

With respect to your question concerning insurance, that is something you need to discuss with the office manager regarding your insurance policy and what benefits may or may not be available for revision septal surgery. 

Robert Kotler, MD, FACS
Author, SECRETS OF A BEVERLY HILLS COSMETIC SURGEON
Author, THE ESSENTIAL COSMETIC SURGERY COMPANION
Original cast member, Doctor 90210
robertkotlermd.com