What happened to my nose after revision rhinoplasty and what can be done to fix it?? 1 month post op. (photos)

Question

This was my 2nd rhinoplasty and I was hoping it'd be my last! I am a month into recovery. Yes, it's early but my nose should not look like this. I had bad retraction in the left nostril after my first rhinoplasty, which was supposed to be corrected in my revision rhinoplasty. The doctor said he put a graft there. My nose was looking fine when the cast first came off now it looks so bad. What happened and what can be done to fix this? I really don't want to wait a year. I need advice please :(

Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD, FACS · Answer

From the photos that you have provided it appears that there is deficient lower lateral cartilage specifically in the area of the soft triangle of the nostril which is the area of indentation you have highlighted.  I suspect some sort of alar rim graft was placed during your revision which likely helped some of the alar retraction but not the area of the soft triangle.  It is certainly early in the post operative period so patience is certainly worth exercising.  However, there may need to be a graft placed further towards the tip extending along the alar rim to more efficiently correct for this asymmetry.

Robert Graper, MD · Answer

Yes you are early in the post operative phase and trying to change the shape now would be more difficult than waiting to see if this resolves on its own. I suspect this shape is because the left side of your lower lateral cartilages did not have as much support pre operatively than the right. You can see this by the significant crease on the left lateral to the tip that is not present on the right. The surgery may have weakened this further causing the retraction you see now. The lateral cruz of this cartilage may also not be in the same position as the right side thus giving the asymmetry. Your doctor did the correct procedure to put a graft to support the cartilage so the position issue may be more important. Stay with your surgeon and keep the faith. Now is too soon to make a judgement. Good luck.

What happened to my nose after revision rhinoplasty and what can be done to fix it?? 1 month post op. (photos)

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Everything you need to know about Revision Rhinoplasty

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What happened to my nose after revision rhinoplasty and what can be done to fix it?? 1 month post op. (photos)

Answers (2)

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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.