How Long After Rhinoplasty Should I Wait to Get Revision?

The conventional wisdom is a year, but if the problem is obvious and easily diagnosed, I don't think you have to wait. Many surgeons advise patients to wait because the problem has not fully become clear or swelling obscures it. But in some cases, the problems is plainly evident much sooner so waiting is not necessary. I would leave that decision up to a revision rhinoplasty specialist that you trust.

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.

Dear Realself user,Because in some cases it can take up to a year for the swelling to resolve I highly recomment you to wait atleast for a full year before you decide to undergo another rhinoplasty operation.best of luck,
TAS Aesthetic Surgery Clinic

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.

It takes a full year for all the swelling to subside and scar tissue to soften after a rhinoplasty. Having a revision before then can alter the healing. Also since all healing hasn't fully taken place, further changes may takee place that may alter the eventual revision surgery plan. Some of the biggest problems I have seen are when revisions have been undertaken by the original surgeon within a few months of the original surgery. Patience is important.

Unless the problems that you are having with your nose following rhinoplasty are having an immediate adverse effect on your health, I would suggest waiting at least a year prior to undertaking a revision rhinoplasty. Your nose will continue to change even after 5 months and you should wait for these changes to take place. Your surgeon will have a much better sense of how your soft tissue will behave following surgery once the nose has stabilized.

It is best to wait at least a year before undergoing a revision rhinoplasty due to swelling and scar tissue. Attempts at repairing an operated nose sooner are often fraught with disaster and can result in poor healing and even worse results. In fact, our literature supports waiting for at least a year to make sure that everything has healed prior to re-operating on a nose.
That being said there are definitely things you can do in the interim. For one, digital pressure on the crooked areas multiple times a day can encourage some internal straightening of the bony and cartilage structures. Also, I would strongly recommend taping your nose at night and when you are home so that the tape pulls the nose in the direction that it needs to go. This can encourage or help to remove residual bends.
Unfortunately, other than that waiting is the best option not only because it helps with later surgery but things may improve some making your revision, if necessary, easier. I hope this information helps.

You would be surprised how much improvement you could see with an Injectable Filler treatment to your nose. There are many imperfections after Rhinoplasty Surgery that can be improved, including a crooked appearance.
I've attached a link to my Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty photos for your perusal.
I hope this is helpful for you.

Patience is a must and revisions are usually done after at least 6 months if healing. I recommend seeing a board certified facial plastic surgeon to address your needs.