Is Rhinoplasty Surgery or Revision Rhinoplasty Even Worth It?

This is an interesting question, but probably  better answered by the person asking it.  The only patients who enter my Operating Room for Rhinoplasty are those who present a reasonable explanation for what they would like to achieve with Surgery, and have anatomic findings that can be addressed with the techniques available.  Rhinoplasty has many bad public advertisements in the form of numerous celebrities' strange surgical results. If you are seriously considering Rhinoplasty, please see a Surgeon who takes a special interest in it, and review the changes you would like to make in addition to the concerns you have about the procedure.

The only person who can answer the question, "Should I get a rhinoplasty?" is you.  A consultation with an experienced, non-pushy, rhinoplasty surgeon can present to you what potential changes to your nose will look like via computer imaging, show before and afters relevant to your case, and discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure.  

Revision rhinoplasty may be worth it to you if you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your nose and it is worth the downtime to have it revised.  If you decide it is worthwhile to you, then seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon who specializes in revision rhinoplasty as it is more challenging than most primary rhinoplasties.  Review before and after photos of different surgeons' websites.  Ask many questions.  It may be helpful to seek out a member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery as well as The Rhinoplasty Society.

The short answer is 70% of people think so afterwards. This is lower than other common cosmetic surgeries like lipo, facelift and blepharoplasty. And the reason is rhinoplasty is the most difficult of all. Its because there are 4 tissues involved, skin, cartilage, bone and mucosa. Each has its own healing process. To maximize your chances of being a successful result, go with a surgeon with experience. Rhinoplasty is hard and unfortunately takes a long time to learn. 

For most people rhinoplasty is worth it. But it depends on a number of factors:

Are you a good candidate for the procedure?
Did you choose an experience surgeon?
Did you communicate your concerns with your surgeon?
Were your expectations realistic?

Revision rhinoplasty is performed when problems either persist or develop after previous rhinoplasty surgery. Occasionally, the problems are slight and can be corrected easily. Usually, however, deformities are significant, making secondary rhinoplasty more difficult than primary rhinoplasty and requiring more expertise. It is therefore important to select a highly qualified surgeon who is experienced in secondary rhinoplasty when the revision of a previous nose job is required.
Most patients who are seeking secondary/revision rhinoplasty have a nose that looks operated and unnatural or does not function as it should. The surgical goal should be to produce a nose that looks natural, functions properly, and harmonizes with the patient's other facial features. To accomplish this, it is usually necessary to reconstruct and reshape the underlying framework of cartilage and bone using cartilage grafts obtained from either the ear or the rib.

The decision to have a first rhinoplasty is different from the decision to get an old rhinoplasty fixed. Rhinoplasty is supposed to enhance facial symmetry, and for some people, also improve their breathing difficulties. Primary rhinoplasty is theoretically easier to do for your surgeon because the territory is virgin. Having reasonable expectations and a surgeon who is knowledgeable and capable will not guarantee success and happiness, but it certainly helps. Getting an idea of what the patient likes and comparing it to what may be possible through the use of computer simulation is helpful for your surgeon. You as the patient, however, must understand that it is just a simulation. Your body's healing mechanism may make your simulation an impossible reality. Unfortunately, there is no way to know until you jump in with both feet. Take your time in your decision making process.
Revision rhinoplasty is a different animal. Surgeons are often faced with scar, tissue shortages, cartilage shortages, and patients who are often psychologically scarred from their first experience(s). When you get to be the patient's umpteenth surgeon, there are no winners. It is at this point that all parties concerned really need to carefully evaluate why anything more is being done. As a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, my heart goes out to these patients because I want to literally rebuild what has been taken away. That being said, sometimes less is more. In the end it boils down to having realistic expectations for both the primary and revision rhinoplasty patient. Good luck.
Dr. Shah
www.drmanishshah.com

If you have not had a rhinoplasty and are already thinking about a revision rhinoplasty you should really sit down and evaluate why you would get a rhinoplasty. If you are convince that you want to change the shape of your nose choose a plastic surgeon and get a few opinions. Bottom line if it does not bother you enough do not go through with it.

No one can answer this question other than the individual who asks it. If a patient has a great desire for a change in their nasal contour, then achieving a great rhinoplasty result would definitely be worth it. But for the patient who only has mild concerns with their nose, the surgery may not be worth the investment (financially and emotionally). In the end, nothing can substitute for a consultation with an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon. If a surgeon spends the time with you, then you will be able to better answer this question.

One really cannot answer this question for the masses.  Every one of my patients who has had a rhinoplasty has felt that the surgery is worth it to them.  I think the patient has to decide what they really want and what they need.  Then the surgeon has to determine if that is possible and then deliver.