Rhinoplasty (also known as a nose job) is one of the most challenging facial plastic surgeries for a cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon to perform. Every nose is different and each procedure must be adapted to suit the patient’s unique facial aesthetics and functional goals.
The nose not only plays a major role in breathing and smell but also provides balance and beauty to the entire face. Even minor changes to the nasal structures can make a big difference in a person’s facial aesthetics.
Unfortunately, not all rhinoplasty procedures go according to plan for a number of different reasons. If you’ve found yourself dissatisfied after rhinoplasty, then a revision rhinoplasty (a second surgery) may be your best option.
Trusting another surgeon with your nose after you’ve had a bad experience can be very difficult, but if you take the time to do thorough research and choose a surgeon who makes you feel at ease, then you’re likely to love your new nose. Here’s what to look for in a revision surgeon.
What to Look for in a Rhinoplasty Specialist
Your revision rhinoplasty surgeon should have the following qualifications and provide these professional services:
- Board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Board-certified by American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
- Significant training and experience in primary rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty
- Publishes about rhinoplasty in medical journals and gives lectures to other surgeons
- Shows patients numerous before and after photos from previous rhinoplasty patients
- Offers computerized images displaying a preview of your nose after surgery
- Customized rhinoplasty plan that matches your goals
Be sure to choose a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who has extensive experience in performing revision rhinoplasty. It’s extremely important to review a surgeon’s credentials before scheduling a consultation. At the consultation, make sure that the surgeon makes you feel comfortable and don’t hesitate to express your concerns or ask any questions you may have.
What to Expect At a Rhinoplasty Consultation
During your consultation, the surgeon should be extremely thorough in determining your candidacy and provide you with in-depth information about the procedure. In addition to performing an exam and asking you about your goals, the nasal surgeon should create custom digital images displaying what your nose might look like after surgery.
Ask to review before and after photos featuring the surgeon’s prior revision rhinoplasty patients. During the consultation, the surgeon should help you set realistic expectations and provide a thorough explanation of the operation, including the location of the incisions, the recovery, and the final results.
Your Customized Rhinoplasty
If you want a sharper nasal tip, a more natural, rounded appearance, or if you have trouble breathing because of an injury or a prior surgery, a skilled rhinoplasty surgeon may be able to create the nose you desire. Choose a surgeon who understands the complexity of your nose and will customize your operation to match your goals.
Rhinoplasty is extremely versatile and can create a number of cosmetic improvements, including:
- Removing a nasal hump from the bridge
- Narrowing a wide nose
- Restoring symmetry
- Refining and improving the nasal tip
- Reducing a large nose to correct the profile
- Straightening a crooked nose
Rhinoplasty may also be used to treat cosmetic and functional issues or deformities caused by genetics, an injury, or a prior failed rhinoplasty, including:
- Narrow nasal passages
- Deviated septum
- Enlarged turbinates
- Traumatic injuries
- Misshapen nose
Do I Need Revision Rhinoplasty?
While primary rhinoplasty is considered to be one of the most difficult facial procedures to perform, revision rhinoplasty is even more challenging. Patients may seek revision for the following reasons:
- Unsatisfactory cosmetic results
- Difficulty breathing
- Nasal trauma
Choose an experienced surgeon who regularly performs revision rhinoplasty after skin cancer, trauma, or failed nasal surgery and who has a vast knowledge of surgical techniques. Have an experienced revision rhinoplasty surgeon fix the underlying issues in your nasal anatomy rather than camouflaging the problems, which will increase the possibility of further issues down the road.
Because the procedure is so complex, it is crucial to choose a surgeon with years of training and experience performing complicated revision rhinoplasty procedures. Read the surgeon’s reviews posted online by previous revision rhinoplasty patients before you schedule a consultation. You don’t want to risk another failed procedure!
Rhinoplasty Procedures
Nasal plastic surgery for a small dorsal hump or a bulbous tip is less complicated than revision rhinoplasty or nasal reconstructive surgery that is used to address a defect or injury. But, even minor rhinoplasty procedures require skill and precision to produce excellent results. Mastering rhinoplasty takes years of dedicated training.
Successful rhinoplasty includes:
- A complete and precise nasal analysis
- Locating deformities, cosmetic flaws, and functional issues
- A personalized surgical plan that addresses each of the patient’s cosmetic and functional concerns
- Manipulation of the nasal bone and sculpting the cartilage with acute precision
- Cartilage grafts for added support and long-term aesthetic results (when needed)
- Follow-up care, which is always needed to achieve and maintain the desired results
An experienced plastic surgeon will provide before and after photos of a wide range of primary and revision surgeries that may include ethnic noses, asymmetric or crooked noses, significant projection issues, genetic deformities, and severe nasal obstructions.
Choose a rhinoplasty surgeon with extensive experience, a vast understanding of sophisticated surgical techniques, and an artistic eye for detail.
Post-Surgical Care
One to two years after revision surgery, your nose will be significantly healed and most of the swelling will be gone. A trustworthy rhinoplasty surgeon follows up with each patient after the surgery to maximize their results. Choose a surgeon who encourages post-surgical care and follow-ups, because this will ensure that you experience long-term satisfaction, beautiful cosmetic results, and optimal structural function.
Your revision rhinoplasty surgeon may perform adjustments during follow up visits, ask you to do nasal exercises, apply steroid injections to decrease swelling, or have you tap your nose to create minor changes. Aftercare can have a significant impact on your rhinoplasty outcome and long-term satisfaction.
Schedule a Revision Rhinoplasty Consultation
Miami-based plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Bared specializes in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and exclusively performs facial cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. Call 800-943-7295 or visit the Facial Plastic Surgery Miami website to schedule your consultation with revision rhinoplasty specialist Dr. Anthony Bared M.D., F.A.C.S.