How Long After Rhinoplasty Should I Wait to Get Revision?

You need to be patient, because it really does take a year to heal from rhinoplasty. The skin/soft tissue envelope that covers the structural components of the nose will hold swelling for that long. Plus, it typically needs to contract and "shrink wrap" to the changes the initial surgery created in the framework of the nose. Jumping in before that time will logically be less precise, and may not recognize the contractile vectors that are still at play.
Revision rates for rhinoplasty are notoriously high, with most big surveys noting 5-10 % rates. That is because it can be a difficult surgery, may heal with some unexpected modifications, or just not meet the precise standards the central nose requires. That's why most docs will want to stand by their work, and not charge for minor revisions (most offices still need to charge the OR fee). So voice your concern to your physician, and remain patient.

Hello and thank you for your question. The exact timing for a revision can be very dependent on your individual anatomy. Whereas in some patients I will recommend waiting one year, in others it can be done as soon as eight months safely. Some of this will be depending on the amount of swelling you have. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

At five months postop from a rhinoplasty, it is possible that you still have swelling in the distal portion of your nose, causing it to look crooked. As a specialist in rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty, I recommend that you monitor your situation closely with your surgeon. Your surgeon knows exactly what took place during surgery, and therefore is the best person to direct you. The literature on postoperative swelling states that it can take up to 12 months before all swelling subsides, although certain issues can make themselves known before this time. The job of a surgeon does not end with patients as soon as surgery is completed; rather, it is our duty (as well as passion, speaking for myself) to help patients through the entirety of the process, which includes the postoperative phase, no matter how long it takes. If your own surgeon does not reflect these values, you might want to meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon, preferably one who specializes in revision rhinoplasty, to discuss your concerns.