Is Retouching Your Nose After a Rhinoplasty Cheaper with Same Surgeon but Expensive with Others? (photo)

In general, the cost associated with a revision rhinoplasty with the same surgeon that performed your primary surgery will be much, much lower than consulting with another surgeon.  This is because your nose is basically a billboard for whoever operated on your nose.  No surgeon wants an unhappy patient with an unattractive nose advertising her/his work.  For that reasons most surgeons, when they see there is something entirely correctable, will perform the revision surgery for a much lower rate than had they encountered the same issue on some other surgeon's patient.  

A revision procedure with your original surgeon will likely be less costly. Many will only pass on the cost of the facility and anesthesia charges but not charge you a surgeon fee or charge a nominal fee. A surgeon that has not met you before will likely charge you the full cost of a revision rhinoplasty as you are a new patient and they did not take part in your original surgery. If you have confidence in your original surgeon I would inquire as to cost and options for a revision procedure. If you do not have confidence seek a second opinion. I hope this information is helpful.Stephen Weber MD, FACS

A revision rhinoplasty is ANY work performed after the very first procedure (no matter how minor).  Revision work is usually best with the original surgeon because he/she was there before, they know you, and they know exactly what maneuvers have been used.  It is usually less expensive.  For instance, I usually do not charge a surgeon's fee for my own revision cases (but there is still an anesthesia and facility fee).  Going to a different surgeon for the revision is a different matter.  Place yourself in that surgeon's shoes- they have never seen you before as a patient, they do not know exactly what was performed on your nose (even if they have a copy of the operative report), and revision cases can be more difficult to predict a particular outcome.  So from their standpoint, they will usually charge a fee somewhat similar to what your first surgery was.

If you want a minor revision and you still have confidence in your surgeon it is typically less expensive to have the work done by the original physician. It might be helpful to get a second opinion before making a decision.