9 years post primary - should I go back to original surgeon if I did not love my results? (Photos)

Question

I had my Primary rhinoplasty 9 years ago. From the beginning, there was a residual bump on one side and I felt the bridge was still too high. It bothered me from the beginning, but life got in the way and I never went back. Now I’m really noticing it again and from some angles it’s really bad. I’m Also hoping that if the bump is smoothed, my radix can also be lowered a little. Should I go back to my original surgeon who is considered a very good revision surgeon or go to someone else? In general, I don’t love my original surgeons outcomes, but I’m unsure if this is a minor thing to correct or more extensive.

David Tauber, MD · Answer

Nine years after surgery, the result is stable enough to evaluate for revision. In the single profile photograph, your nose appears generally balanced, with a relatively high bridge and a small residual dorsal contour irregularity. A revision rhinoplasty may be able to smooth that contour and modestly lower the upper bridge or radix, but these are millimeter-level changes and frontal, oblique, and base views—plus an examination of the skin, cartilage, and airway—are needed before recommending a specific plan.

You are not obligated to return to the original surgeon. If you still trust that surgeon, communication was good, and revision rhinoplasty is a substantial part of the practice, it is reasonable to hear that surgeon's plan and obtain your operative report. It is equally reasonable to obtain an independent second opinion from a surgeon with extensive revision experience, then compare the proposed changes, limitations, and risks. Revision surgery is more complex because of scar tissue and potentially limited cartilage, so the risks of surgery need to be weighed against the potential improvement.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photograph, it is difficult to know for sure. But you should like the vast majority of the results you see on your surgeon’s website. 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 likely 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. FACS
Harvard-trained board certified plastic surgeon

Best wishes and good luck.

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

9 years post primary - should I go back to original surgeon if I did not love my results? (Photos)

Answers (2)

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