2 years post rhinoplasty - bumpy left side and crooked right side. Can this be fixed with a revision? (Photos)

Question

I had a rhinoplasty done two years ago this summer. I’m having major issues ..… left side is bumpy all the way down - right side is clearly crooked - bigger tip and the nostril is much larger than the left. I’ve went back once last month to my surgeon and he acted as if it looked great. Please help- can this be fixed and is he obligated to do so if the outcome is so bad?

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Approximately 15% of rhinoplasties require a revision.  Your nose is crooked and your nostrils are asymmetrical.  You will need a revision.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Andrew Miller, MD · Answer

Based on your photos, you are a good candidate for revision rhinoplasty. It can be normal to always feel some bumps after rhinoplasty, but bones may need to be adjusted to make it smoother. The tip can be a little asymmetric which can contribute to unequal nostril as well. Be sure to see a rhinoplasty expert for consultation.

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

In your frontal and side photos, the dorsal contour appears irregular, the nasal axis and tip appear asymmetric, and the nostril shape and rim position differ from side to side. Because you are two years after surgery, an in-person surgeon can assess the established result rather than relying on early-healing photographs. The examination should include palpation of the bumps, review of breathing and septal position, and standardized frontal, profile, basal, and smiling views. Depending on the underlying anatomy, options may include limited smoothing or camouflage, controlled osteotomies, septal or dorsal reconstruction, asymmetric tip support grafts, and alar-rim correction. Revision surgery may improve balance, but some asymmetry can remain, and scar tissue makes it more complex than primary rhinoplasty. Obtain your operative report and preoperative photographs, then seek an independent opinion from a surgeon who performs many revision cases. Whether the original surgeon must revise it, and whether surgeon, facility, or anesthesia fees are waived, depends on the written financial policy and local rules; there is no universal automatic obligation. Do not proceed until your concerns receive a clear examination and treatment plan.

Gianfranco Frojo, MD · Answer

A revision rhinoplasty would be the best option to help achieve your goal. You would likely need rib from a cadaver or using your own rib cartilage (and fascia for soft tissue padding). A properly trained plastic surgeon will be able to guide you through this process. I perform a cone beam CT scan, ultrasound, and physical exam prior to making any recommendations. I would recommend seeing an American Board of Plastic Surgery certified plastic surgeon, ideally one who also completed an accredited Aesthetic Society fellowship or is a member of the society.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photographs, you may benefit from a revision rhinoplasty. You are a great candidate for rhinoplasty. Maneuvers for your surgery would include dorsal hump reduction, tip refinement, nasal tip deprojection, tip elevation, among other maneuvers. Make sure you are going to a surgeon with hundreds of long-term before and after pictures on their website with standardized lighting and standardized backgrounds. With good surgical technique, you could have an outstanding result. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

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

Best wishes and good luck.

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

Kadir Berat Oyur, MD · Answer

Seeing your photos at just five days post-op, it is important to remember that you are currently at the peak of the inflammatory phase, where swelling and bruising can often look quite dramatic before they begin to improve. The "tightness" and the visible bruising you are noticing are completely expected after a surgical lip lift, as the delicate tissues of the philtrum and upper lip respond to the repositioning with significant edema. This temporary swelling can often make the lip appear more projected or the smile feel restricted in these early days, but as the lymphatic system begins to drain the excess fluid over the next week, you will see the contours soften and the bruising transition through various colors before fading. We recommend continuing with your prescribed cold compresses and keeping your head elevated, as patience during this first week is the most critical part of the journey toward seeing your final, refined result.

2 years post rhinoplasty - bumpy left side and crooked right side. Can this be fixed with a revision? (Photos)

Answers (6)

More Rhinoplasty Questions

Deviated Septum + Concave down nose + age - Should this be fixed together in one surgery? (Photos)

Could this be an inverted V deformity 1.5 years after rhinoplasty, or is it likely just normal contouring? (Photos)

Can lowering the radix give the illusion that your eyes are further apart on frontal view? (Photos)

Septorhinoplasty ruined nose functionally and cosmetically. Would a revision rhinoplasty be beneficial for me? (Photos)

Please help me understand what happened to my nose - how can I treat this? (Photos)

Can verteporfin be used to minimize rhinoplasty scarring?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS