What You Need To Know About Revision Rhinoplasty
We often hear patients describing the frustration and disappointment of not having their needs met after having had one, two, or more Rhinoplasties! In knowing that, we want to help inform you about Revision Rhinoplasty, as well as some of the important factors and decisions you will need to make in order to best prepare and prevent you from needing another Rhinoplasty. Let’s get into more detail.
Your choice of board-certified cosmetic plastic surgeon is the most important decision you’ll make. The nose is a very difficult and intricate area to undergo surgery, and results depend greatly on how a patient’s skin and cartilage heals over time. You should also choose a board-certified cosmetic plastic surgeon with appropriate credentials, as well as a surgeon who listens, is sympathetic to a patient’s previous dissatisfaction and can communicate the fine details of a Revision Rhinoplasty. Patients should always seek the experience of a Rhinoplasty and Revision Rhinoplasty specialist, a surgeon like board-certified cosmetic plastic surgeon Dr. Adibfar who has performed these successfully for years and continues to produce remarkable results for his satisfied patients.
A Revision Rhinoplasty varies greatly from an initial Rhinoplasty for very crucial reasons. When new patients come to Dr. Adibfar after receiving poor results from their first or second Rhinoplasty, it’s important they are aware of the risks and are clear regarding realistic expectations. After having undergone one or more Rhinoplasties, a patient’s nose has been altered and can leave Dr. Adibfar with specific limitations as a result of previous procedures.
Once Dr. Adibfar begins the Revision Rhinoplasty and opens up the nose, he is able to better assess the amount of scar tissue to be removed, as well as identify what’s left of the nose’s bone and cartilage. If Dr. Adibfar needs to rebuild the nose and the amount of cartilage left isn’t sufficient, he may need to harvest cartilage from the patient’s ear or rib before commencing the Revision Rhinoplasty. From there, Dr. Adibfar is able to carve the cartilage accurately and position it in a way that is aesthetically pleasing to the nose’s profile and symmetry. The more Rhinoplasties a patient has undergone, the more difficult and somewhat limited it will be for the next surgeon to perform to the patient’s expectations. This is why it is crucially important to work with the most skilled plastic surgeon who can accommodate working with scar tissue and perform the procedure effectively while clearly relaying any associated risks.
A patient may undergo a Revision Rhinoplasty for various reasons stemming from having inherited poor results from a previous Rhinoplasty. A patient may find that their nose’s tip is too big, round or projects too much, or that their nasal passages are affecting their ability to breathe through their nostrils effectively. After full recovery, a patient may also find that their nose is not symmetrical from any angle or profile, and/or that their previous surgeon removed too much bone from their nose.
During the procedure, Dr. Adibfar strives to restore the aesthetics and elegance of a straight and well-defined nose while ensuring the nose’s primary functions including breathing and smelling. Dr. Adibfar works with the inner structure, including the nose’s bone and existing cartilage to establish a stable structure for the long road of healing and recovery ahead.
After surgery, the nose may appear swollen with slight bruising which is normal. The swelling will continue to lessen while the nose regains it’s new shape over several months. While final results will be visible between 3 to 6 months, it will take anywhere between 9 to 12 months to achieve full healing and results. It is also important to note that one side of the nose may heal differently than the other, meaning that swelling may subside in one nostril (or side of the nose) for longer than its opposite, making it important for patients to remain patient until full results are apparent. It is also incredible important patients follow the thorough pre- and post-operative instructions from Dr. Adibfar and that they adhere to the prescription regimen given while keeping the area clean and disinfected. Dr. Adibfar also always practices minimal incision techniques, leaving less scarring which fades drastically over time.
To see some of Dr. Adibfar’s Before & Afters, click here.Click Here to learn more about Revision Rhinoplasty or to book a consultation with one of Toronto’s best board-certified cosmetic plastic surgeons, Dr. Adibfar.