Am I a good candidate for a revision rhinoplasty? 3 years post op with both functional and aesthetic issues (photos)

Question

Hi. I had a rhinoplasty done 3 years ago, and I have both functional and aesthetic concerns. Note the visible collapse on the right side of my nose. I also cannot breathe through the dented side, and I have to do the Cottle Maneuver to be able to breathe fully. I am a very active person and struggle to breathe properly during exercise! Am I a good candidate for a revision rhinoplasty? I was told I have “thick skin,” which may make a revision more challenging.

Manish H. Shah, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,
Thanks for your question.
If there are both aesthetic concerns and functional concerns that remain this far after surgery, you may be a good candidate for a revision rhinoplasty. Be ware, though, that revision surgery is a procedure with diminishing returns. It is important that you have VERY clear goals about what you hope to achieve with a second surgery. Scarring and an altered blood supply from the first surgery will hamper efforts at improvement. Your surgeon of choice needs to have a fairly busy revision surgery practice to have the best chance at success. 
For your concerns, you may need the use of rib graft to help support your nasal valves and to help visually improve the straightness of the nose. An internal exam to look at what maybe crowding in your airways, and a preop CT scan would be advised.
I hope this helps.
Dr. Shah

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Additional photographs would be very helpful to give you more meaningful advice. Generally speaking, revision rhinoplasty can be designed to improve both the aesthetic appearance and the functional breathing of the nose. With good surgical technique, you could have an outstanding result. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A full set of facial photographs from all angles are required to make a determination about how best to proceed, since the nose is a three-dimensional structure, and one of the most difficult procedures to perform correctly in the entire field of cosmetic surgery. Thick skin prevents refinement and the nasal tip area, and nothing can be done about it. If you're having difficulty breathing out of your nose, a cosmetic rhinoplasty is not going to help. You may have a deviated septum, or turbinate hypertrophy, or both internal or external valve collapse and allergies can all cause issues. Functional nasal surgery for breathing and a cosmetic rhinoplasty can be performed together when necessary. Expect to pay for the cosmetic component yourself, while functional breathing surgery is usually billed to the patient's medical insurance for medical necessity

Am I a good candidate for a revision rhinoplasty? 3 years post op with both functional and aesthetic issues (photos)

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Am I a good candidate for a revision rhinoplasty? 3 years post op with both functional and aesthetic issues (photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Revision Rhinoplasty

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