Devastating Result and Poor Treatment

Additional photos including one of how bad my scar is now. In the first one you can see how strange my nose tip and nostrils look, and the c-curve deviation on the left side. In the second you can see how unattractive my nose tip has been made as well as the assymetric nostrils.

My experience with this surgeon has been the worst mistake of my life. Please take the time to read through my review carefully.

My nose, which needed only small refinements, is now too short, deviated, wide, asymmetrical, droopy, and overall strange looking. It appears flat and two-dimensional, as all of the definition and projection has been obliterated. There is also a noticeable curve-shaped deviation along the right side, giving it a crooked and distorted appearance. From the front, my nostrils resemble two arched slits with my left nostril rim appearing partially collapsed, sitting lower than the right. The lower half of my dorsum, which was previously naturally narrow, has been bulked outwards to around three times the width with rib grafting. My nose tip and columella look like they have been cut off. My bridge is also more scooped-looking than expected, I asked to keep it straight and higher. My nostrils are retracted to the point that you can now see my internal nasal hair. My nose has looked this way from the moment the cast was removed and has not improved with time, aside from swelling reduction.

Functionally wise, my nose feels awful. It feels completely rigid and unnatural. I was told during my consultations that one graft would be used, but instead at least six separate grafts have been placed into my already small nose. It feels and appears bloated with rib grafts, and the stiffness is so severe that I can no longer smile properly. I also cannot compress my nostrils properly, so even wiping my nose is difficult. I have recently obtained an independent medico-legal assessment from another rhinoplasty surgeon, which concluded that that major changes had been made to my nose that appear to go well beyond what I consented to.

Despite such a devastating outcome, I have been treated without compassion. Most of my questions have been ignored or dismissed by both Dr Robotti and the hospital. I placed my trust in a surgeon I believed would make only the small refinements we had discussed whilst preserving the rest of my nose. I travelled internationally for multiple in-person consultations, underwent a CT scan, and took every possible step to ensure we shared the same understanding of the surgical plan.

The result bears no resemblance to what was discussed or the morphs created. I believe procedures were performed that went far beyond what I consented to. Based on the changes I have observed and the operative material I have obtained, it looks like skin tissue from my columella was removed, making it too short and completely changing the size and shape of my nostrils. My nostrils are now so small that I can barely fit my fingertip inside. My breathing has worsened, whereas I breathed well before surgery, and my nostrils now feel tight and restricted. My nose looks flat and wide, similar in some ways to a cleft nose, while my nostrils have lost their previous curvature and length. I possess an intra-operative photograph which appears to show that the columella skin was cut down significantly. Before surgery I had a curved, feminine columella. It is now short and partially retracted.

This is deeply violating because my main condition for going ahead with surgery was that my columella and tip would not be changed. I made this absolutely clear to Dr Robotti and explained that my worst fear was ending up with a shorter nose. Dr Robotti promised that he would "write in marble not to shorten my nose", and I have emails confirming that same agreement. I would have accepted my previous nose otherwise and not had surgery, I know now that's what I should have always done. However, as patients we rely on medical professionals to guide us and consider the risks vs benefits of the surgery. I don't believe any specific risks were discussed with me other than a remark that "it won't be perfect".

I did not want to be taken any further away from my birth nose, I was trying to regain the bridge I once had. The tip of my nose was already very similar to my birth nose. Yet instead of making only the refinements I requested, even more of my nose has been resected. I still cannot believe that actual skin appears to have been removed. Removal of skin from the columella carries recognised risks because the blood supply is limited in this area, including the risk of tissue necrosis. It is also an irreversible procedure. I believe it has permanently changed my face and taken part of my identity from me. If you observe badly performed alarplasties, you will see that when too much skin has been removed, the nostrils lose their curvature. This is a recognised deformity, and something very similar appears to have happened to me, except internally through the apparent loss of columella tissue. I cannot accept nor understand why this appears to have been done, especially when my nose was already small, it is devastating. My questions regarding the visible changes to my nostrils and columella have been ignored by Dr Robotti.

I have also been left with obvious scarring on my columella, making it clear I have had rhinoplasty. My previous scar was almost imperceptible. I was told twice by Dr Robotti that he would reuse my existing columella scar, yet a new, jagged and unsightly incision was made. This is another procedure that seems totally unnecessary, that I neither consented to nor expected, and a further deviation from the plan discussed. I do not know why an additional scar was made on my face, again Dr Robotti has ignored my question on this.

I have since been told by other surgeons that, where possible, reusing the previous columella incision is preferable because it limits additional disruption to the tissues and blood supply, as well as for aesthetics. Given that necrosis is a recognised risk in revision rhinoplasty, I expected every effort to be made to minimise unnecessary risks. Instead, I feel that unnecessary risks may have been taken with my health.

I have also been left with a nose that is stiff to the point of deep discomfort. Major grafts, including extended lateral struts and spreader grafts, were added without any prior discussion and Dr Robotti has not answered my questions as to why they were necessary. I believe these grafts have contributed to the extreme widening of my nose. I also woke up to be told that a septoplasty was performed despite Dr Robotti telling me my septum was straight on the CT scan and no mention this was needed prior. My question as to why this was performed has again been ignored.

It feels like everything that was discussed in the consultations was done differently. I went into this surgery expecting a conservative refinement and came out with a major reconstruction and additional scarring, and I'm unsure as to what end because it looks appalling.

Please look at my before and after photographs, including the intra-operative, and judge for yourselves. I did not need, nor did I request, major changes to my nose. I simply wanted the graft on my bridge refining and a small section of irregular cartilage corrected. Dr Robotti himself described this as a "finesse procedure". Instead, my whole nose has been changed beyond recognition. I no longer recognise myself in the mirror. I miss seeing my old self. I feel the most unattractive I have ever felt in my life. People who have seen my photographs have said that the "before" looks like it should be the "after".

This has deeply impacted my life because I never expected, even in the worst-case scenario, for so many things to go wrong. I am now extremely worried for my future. I feel that many of my future plans have been ruined. I cannot imagine, for example, getting married looking like this. I have completely lost confidence in myself and in my appearance.

The way I was treated throughout this process has added insult to injury and made me feel worthless and taken advantage of. I feel like I was only important for financial gain. I found both Dr Robotti and Dr Leone to be cold and dismissive in their communication. I was not treated warmly at any time by either doctor, despite paying almost €13,000 and always being polite to them. Before surgery, I tried not to take this personally because the result was the most important thing. However, even on the morning of my surgery, when I was understandably extremely anxious, Dr Robotti abruptly told the person accompanying me to "sit down", which only made me feel even more tense. Post surgery, I felt that my concerns were ignored and that I was not listened to.

When I asked why my nose looked shorter, Dr Leone informed me that he "would not be answering further questions". When I asked Dr Robotti why my nose looked deviated, he replied, "this is as smooth as you're going to get it." Please decide for yourselves whether my nose appears smooth or straight. I was also given conflicting information about my surgery by both doctors. Dr Leone said they had used a septal extension graft, whereas Dr Robotti said they had not. It seems very apparent to me that this graft has been used, as my nose tip is now completely immovable.

I have requested to be refunded due to the enormity of the irreversible changes performed against my wishes, the many new deformities I have been left with, and the fact that I am now facing the prospect of another vastly more complex revision surgery. However, my most recent email requesting a refund, sent to Dr Robotti on 2 June, was completely ignored and I received no response whatsoever, despite him being aware that I am suffering severe distress from this result.

I have also found the treatment I have received from the hospital, Villa Sant'Apollonia, to be deeply unprofessional. I was informed by the hospital that no typed consultation notes exist, despite me having attended multiple consultations for a revision rhinoplasty where the consent process was of critical importance. I was also told that the hospital has no formal complaints procedure.

After my email enquiries were ignored for almost a month, I telephoned the hospital and was told that Dr Robotti's secretary was unavailable until the following day. However, when an Italian-speaking person telephoned on my behalf just a few hours later, the secretary was immediately available to speak with her. This felt like I was being treated differently as an international patient. This experience, together with comments Dr Robotti had previously made to me about "Turkey" noses, left me questioning whether some patients are viewed with prejudice rather than professionalism.

The secretary has eventually advised that I could submit a complaint to the hospital's director. It has now been three weeks since I sent my complaint, together with extensive supporting evidence, and despite sending a follow-up email, I have not even received a basic acknowledgement confirming that my complaint and confidential medical information were safely received.

I also telephoned the hospital and was told by the member of staff who answered that she had no idea when the secretary would be available. If the situation were not so serious, it would almost be laughable. This is how they have chosen to treat a patient who is in significant distress after paying a substantial amount of money for treatment. I have remained respectful throughout, yet I have been met with indifference and a complete lack of professionalism.

I entrusted this hospital with my health, underwent major surgery there, and paid almost €13,000 for my care. Instead, I have been left feeling ignored, dismissed and as though my concerns are of no importance. This lack of communication has only added to the distress caused by the surgical outcome and has reinforced my belief that patient care did not end where it should have - with accountability, transparency and compassion. If you choose to have surgery with this doctor and at this hospital, be aware that if something goes wrong like with myself, I felt that neither the surgeon nor the hospital accepted any responsibility for my concerns.

This experience has also made me reflect on differences in patient care and informed consent. My personal impression is that attitudes towards patients' rights and autonomy can vary between countries, and I have come to appreciate how strongly these principles are protected in many other healthcare systems. That is not how I feel have been treated during my experience in Italy.

A further point I wish to raise concerns a photograph posted on Dr Robotti's Instagram on 7 February 2026, which I believe may depict me. Dr Robotti has stated that the individual in the photograph is not me. However, I remain unconvinced. I believe most people are capable of recognising their own face, particularly where there are distinctive identifying features. In my case, I have two distinctive freckles on the side of my nose, which is one of the reasons I believe the fifth photograph in that Instagram post may depict me. I have included a photo of my freckles.

I find it very difficult to understand how it is considered acceptable to leave a young woman looking like this while retaining her hard-earned money. I do not find Dr Robotti to be compassionate or caring, and I no longer consider him trustworthy. I wish I had researched more thoroughly before undergoing this surgery. I would encourage prospective patients to read reviews across multiple platforms before making a decision.

My repeated questions about why my nose looks like this have gone unanswered. I have simply been told that everything was done correctly and according to plan. It seems Dr Robotti deems this an acceptable result. If this is what a result looks like when done correctly, I would hate to see what a surgery gone wrong looks like.

I do not wish anyone else to go through what I have been through. I am happy to share further information, photographs and videos, please feel free to message. I also have a university education in biology, yet throughout this process I have often felt as though I have been spoken to as if I were incapable of understanding my own anatomy and experience. I've paid a substantial amount of money, underwent a 5.5 hour anesthesia, and lost part of my rib, all to look this ridiculous and have what I believe were unnecessary risks taken with my health.

This surgery has permanently altered my appearance and severely affected my physical and emotional wellbeing. It is a future I never wanted and one that I do not believe I consented to.