Everyone wants to believe that having nose surgery, known as rhinoplasty, will result in aesthetically and functionally pleasing results. However, since rhinoplasty is one of the most sophisticated types of plastic surgery, there are many different ways it can go wrong. Whether it’s due to a plastic surgeon who did not have the proper training or experience, surgery that was done to achieve unrealistic expectations, or another reason, many find they are not happy with the results and want to know what can be done to correct it. That’s where revision rhinoplasty comes into play.
What is Revision Rhinoplasty?
Revision rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that is undertaken to correct a cosmetic or functional rhinoplasty that was not performed correctly and has compromised either the patient’s appearance or ability to breathe. Some plastic surgeons take on nose surgery without having the experience or skill to deal with issues such as thin or flimsy cartilage or they compromise either functionality or aesthetics to achieve an unrealistic result that was expected by the patient. There are hundreds of different factors that go into a successful rhinoplasty surgery and it takes a high level of experience and expertise to achieve a good result.
Why Might Revision Rhinoplasty Be Necessary?
If a patient is any way unsatisfied with their rhinoplasty surgery, revision surgery may be warranted. Cosmetic reasons for revision surgery include a nose that looks too bony or angular, a nasal tip that looks pinched or droops, an asymmetrical nose, a nose that did not fit their natural features, extreme sloping, thin nasal skin, or changes that were not dramatic enough. Functional reasons for revision surgery are almost always centered around compromised breathing. Some surgeons will sacrifice function for cosmetic results and it’s not until months or years later that the patient realizes their surgery is affecting their wellness.
Good candidates for revision rhinoplasty are those who have fully healed from their initial surgery, which usually takes about a year, and who are unhappy with their final results. Some may realize almost immediately that their surgery was not performed well while others will not experience problems for years until the aging process reveals issues.
Why Is Revision Rhinoplasty More Complicated Than Normal Rhinoplasty?
Performing surgery on an area that has already been surgically altered involves many special considerations. Before surgery can even begin, the surgeon must have a thorough consultation with the patient to find out why the initial surgery was done, who it was done by, and why the results now need to be corrected. In some cases, the consultation becomes an educational meeting as the surgeon attempts to show the patient why his initial expectations for surgery were unrealistic and how that resulted in his or her current need for a revision.
A surgeon with a steady hand and experience in performing revision procedures is required to correct any damage that has been done and create a final result that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. The surgeon must decide if the desired results can be achieved through a closed procedure, where incisions are only made inside the nose, or whether an open procedure is needed to achieve the desired results. He must also ensure that correcting the previous damage done does not compromise either aesthetics or functionality and that the patient’s issues with the first surgery are not repeated.
Choosing the Right Surgeon for Your Revision Rhinoplasty
Most patients choose to go to a different surgeon from the one they originally went to for their revision rhinoplasty. The reasons for this are obvious: if the first surgeon performed an unsatisfactory surgery, the patient believes a different surgeon will be needed to correct it. When choosing a new surgeon, it’s important that patients not only look for an expert in rhinoplasty but also one who is skilled and experienced in revision rhinoplasty as this is more complicated and requires greater expertise. Dr. Hershcovitch is a double board certified plastic surgeon who is an expert in both rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty. He is knowledgeable in the most advanced methods of surgery and knows how to achieve the right balance between cosmetic and functional results.
If you are unhappy with your rhinoplasty surgery for any reason, you do not have to live with the results. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Hershcovitch today to find out more about revision rhinoplasty.