Sometimes in life, things don’t go as planned. There are accidents. There are complications. Your tastes change. Your perception may change. It’s all part of life.
In rhinoplasty, the same is true, which is where revision rhinoplasty is needed. It could be that you suffered an accident after your nose surgery or that there are other complications or changes in the results.
If you are considering revision rhinoplasty, here are a few common questions.
Is Revision Rhinoplasty Required?
It’s a common misconception that revision rhinoplasty is something anyone who has had a rhinoplasty will eventually need. In reality, that is not the case. Most people that have nose surgery never have a second surgery. Exactly how many have to have a second surgery varies by source, with most revision rates quoted between 5-15%.
A skilled and experienced rhinoplasty surgeon will have a much lower rate, however, life does happen and sometimes an injury to the nose will make revision rhinoplasty a requirement in order to ensure quality of life is preserved. In these cases, a second surgery is necessary.
How Do Revision and Primary Rhinoplasty Differ?
It should go without saying, but primary and secondary (revision) rhinoplasty are different procedures with different sets of considerations and recovery times. Generally, a second nose surgery is considered more challenging than the first. Your surgeon will need to work around scar tissue and nasal tissue and structure that has been previously altered.
All nose surgery requires a high level of skill, but the added considerations make fining a skilled surgeon all the more important. A rhinoplasty specialist will have the experience needed to ensure that the issues—whether from injury or complications—are corrected and that the supporting structures within the nose are sound.
What About the Surgeon?
When seeking rhinoplasty, you want to find a skilled surgeon that specializes in the procedure and knows the nuances and unique considerations that each nose surgery encounters. In this same way, you want to find a surgeon that is skilled and experienced in revision rhinoplasty. This does not mean that you shouldn’t use your original surgeon if you were satisfied with his or her work, it only means that you should ask your potential surgeon what their comfort and experience level is in this area of rhinoplasty.
If you feel uncomfortable or are not sure, consult with one or more revision rhinoplasty specialists.
What About Recovery Time?
Revision rhinoplasty may take longer and have a longer recovery time. While some people look and feel better sooner than others, you shouldn’t expect the same recovery time and results. Swelling time may be longer and your experience will likely be much different than your first
Remember: If you have just had a nose job and aren’t satisfied with the results, know that results are not immediate. Depending on your skin, structure, and features, it could take as long as 10 months for swelling to go down and your new nose to settle. Again, an experienced surgeon will help you understand the procedure so that you know what to expect and when so that you are happy and satisfied with your results.
Dr. Kalpesh Patel is a London revision rhinoplasty specialist. If you have any questions or think a second surgery is for you, call today.