How long do I have to wait for rhinoplasty after having septoplasty?

Question

I had a septoplasty done with limited fess a month ago. Now I want to have a rhinoplasty done as quickly as possible. How long should I wait before having rhinoplasty?

Robert Galiano, MD · Answer

As you probably are aware by now, most surgeons will do these operations at the same time - this results in less recovery time, less exposure to anesthesia, and probably a reduced overall cost. With that being said, I believe 6 months would be an ideal amount of time to wait, depending on what needs to be done. If only tip work is needed, you probably are OK undergoing this as early as 3 months. In general, scarring can be unpredictable, and I would err on the conservative side of waiting about 6 months before undergoing a rhinoplasty that is more extensive than just a tip rhinoplasty.

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

Usually these can be performed together to avoid this situation.  However in your case, you should wait until your incisions are completely healed.  You should feel no discomfort inside your nose and no formation of crusting in the mucosa that can suggest unhealed septal mucosa.  Your septoplasty surgeon should clear you to proceed with the rhinoplasty.

Ali Totonchi, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question, these procedures are routinely done at the same time, some times removed cartilage from septoplasty is used for rhinoplasty as a cartilage graft. Since the surgery is already done, I would wait 3-6 month before considering rhinoplasty.Good luck,

Sumit Bapna, MD · Answer

I like to wait between six months and one year when someone comes to me if they have already had nasal surgery. It could be done sooner depending on what exactly you want done to your nose.

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

You should not rush.  Let your ENT surgeon check you and make sure that you have completely healed from your septal surgery.  Wait at least three months for rhinoplasty. Longer wait will not hurt.

Shepherd G. Pryor, MD · Answer

The answer will partially depend on what was done at the time of your septoplasty and how extensive the cartilage removal was during the operation.  Rhinoplasty is often a reductionist procedure where we are taking a larger form and reducing a dorsal hump, nasal width or modifying tip size for the smaller.  But this is not 100% of the case as there are many circumstances where we are adding structure in certain areas to achieve a specific cosmetic result.  At times, this involves borrowing cartilage from the septum.  Based on your exam one could argue that you may not require that .... thus you could proceed at your leisure.  But if you required addition of cartilaginous structure it is more wise to wait 6 months to 1 year.

Sean Freeman, MD · Answer

rionjal, too bad you didn't get them done at the same time but in answer to your question you could proceed with a rhinoplasty at any time since it has been a month. May want to bring a copy of your op note for your rhinoplasty surgeon to have for their records. Always see an experienced facial plastic specialist with good photos. Good luck!

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, it would been better to have a all 3 procedures performed under one anesthetic with one recovery period. In addition,  any cartilage removal from the septoplasty may now be required for the rhinoplasty procedure. It's probably best to wait at least 6 months to allow swelling to subside in the nose before undergoing a rhinoplasty procedure. In the meantime, visit 3 busy rhinoplasty surgeons in your area and discuss  your options. In addition, bring your operative report, to find out how much cartilage is left on the inside of the nose for potential grafting procedures

Karthik Ram, MRCS, DNB · Answer

History noted ,usually both rhinoplasty with septal correction is done as a combined procedure,as you have underwent fess it is better to wait for 3 months for the raw mucosal area to heal and then discuss with your surgeon and go ahead with rhinoplasty.

Dennis Barek, MD (retired) · Answer

The worry is how much of a dorsal strut is left after septoplasty. If there is a hump to be removed, one has to be careful so as not to remove the support of the dorsal strut , otherwise there is a risk of collapse.. An internal nasal exam under topical anesthesia with a vasoconstrictor will give the surgeon an idea of how much dorsum can be safely removed.As for timing, at least 6 months should elapse before a rhinoplasty. There also may be a need for harvesting some  remaining septal cartilage for spreader or tip grafting. You need the septal tissues well healed before you handle them again.

How long do I have to wait for rhinoplasty after having septoplasty?

Answers (13)

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