I would appreciate if you could tell me realistically how much longer I need to wait before revision? (Photos)

Thank you for your question and I am sorry you did not see your desired results after your first procedure. Keep in mind that it can take up to one full year for all the swelling to subside after rhinoplasty, which can impact your final outcome. Most surgeons will recommend waiting until the one-year mark to consider revision surgery for that reason. At that time, if you are still dissatisfied with your result, revision rhinoplasty may be an option. Make sure you work with a very experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon, since revision rhinoplasty can be even more complex than the first procedure.

Hi Sara,

I always advise patients to wait 12 months before a secondary procedure.

@drnima_md | Dr. Nima Shemirani Beverly Hills

Thank you for your question. I'm sorry you're going through this. Although an in-person exam would be needed to fully appreciate what's happening, looking at your pictures it appears that the domes are of unequal height. Most surgeons would wait a minimum of 6 months before considering a revision, and many would advocate waiting a full year, but this will vary from surgeon to surgeon and varies depending on the extent of what revision would entail. To revise this, and tip cartilages would need to be repositioned so that they're of equal height, and perhaps additional maneuvers depending on what the surgeon finds. Unfortunately, adjustment to the nostrils only may help but will be solve the issue. Cost will vary depending on individual pricing of the surgeon, but in general, surgeons in higher cost of living areas charge more. I hope this information is helpful!

In some cases the lower nostril can be elevated with a minor office procedure and excision of tissue with a well hidden incision, and that can be done sooner than a year. The other approach which is more definitive is to do a formal revision with realignment if the tip cartilages through an open approach and that needs to wait at least a year.

There are two ways to correct uneven nostrils. One is to raise the lower one and the other is to lower the high one. You should discuss your goals with your surgeon to determine which is best for you. As for timing, many surgeons wait for a full year of healing since scar tissue softens for up to a year. Also if anything else subtle becomes apparent, it may take a number of months to see. Going back too soon might not allow the chance for other tweaks.