Healing time for a revision with rib graft? I am wondering how much more improvement I can gain aesthetically.

Question

I had my 3rd revision a little over a month and a half ago. Rib grafting was required to build up the bridge for a pollybeak deformity. My nose looks better from the profile, but is still quite thick and wide and somewhat bulbous from the front view. I am wondering how much more improvement I can gain aesthetically? Is there a percentage? I know that it takes a long time for a nose in my condition to heal, but I wonder how much more improvement is likely in terms of the size of my nose?

Thomas A. Lamperti, MD · Answer

It's really hard to estimate how far along you are in your healing without seeing your nose or knowing what exactly was done during your surgery.At this stage I would expect there to be quite a bit of residual swelling and thickness to your nose (especially your tip). In general I would expect this swelling to take over a year to resolve. The thicker your skin the longer this process will take as well.I'd check in with your surgeon to get a better idea of what to expect as that's who has the best idea about your nose and what was done during surgery.

David Reinstadler, MD · Answer

It is difficult to put a specific time frame on your recovery, but in general, you are still very early in the process. When grafts are used to build up a low dorsum, they are placed above the native structure of the nose and below the skin/soft tissue envelope. This creates a space which the body fills first with fluid, then becomes scar tissue, and slowly shrink wraps over the new structure as the wound continues to heal. The tip usually remains swollen the longest due to loss of the drainage pathways for swelling to escape. It is also draining against gravity. You will continue to see changes fairly rapidly for the first six to nine months. The nose will continue to change for over a year and a half in revision surgery. Each time you open the nose, the swelling takes a bit longer to resolve because of the previous scar tissue. If you have any questions along the way, be sure to address them with your surgeon.

Mark Petroff, MD · Answer

As I'm sure you know from your previous procedures, the healing period following a rhinoplasty is a long one, and this is especially true of a revision rhinoplasty. Your swelling will continue to go down over the next several months. It's not unusual that the front view is still swollen, many people notice their profile looks different before the front. An improvement percentage is near impossible to give even in an in-person evaluation, but as you are still very early on in your recovery process I can say that your aesthetic appearance will continue to change as the swelling goes down. Give it some time, and if you are still concerned about your results I would advise you to schedule a follow up appointment with your surgeon. Best of luck to you as you continue to heal!

Healing time for a revision with rib graft? I am wondering how much more improvement I can gain aesthetically.

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Healing time for a revision with rib graft? I am wondering how much more improvement I can gain aesthetically.

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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.