Revision Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty can be a life-changing procedure that allows you to change the shape and appearance of your nose according to your unique preferences. Unfortunately, some patients find themselves unhappy with their results following primary rhinoplasty. At Eisemann Plastic Surgery Center, triple board-certified Dr. Michael Eisemann helps bring his patients’ visions to life with revision rhinoplasty. With decades of experience performing revision rhinoplasty, Dr. Eisemann has the expertise you need to get the results you deserve.
What Is Revision Rhinoplasty?
Revision rhinoplasty, sometimes referred to as secondary rhinoplasty, is a type of nose surgery meant to correct imperfections from the original rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty is widely regarded as one of the most difficult types of facial plastic surgery. As a result, receiving a nose job from an inexperienced or underqualified plastic surgeon may result in unfavorable results. Even experienced and board-certified plastic surgeons, however, cannot completely control the outcome of a rhinoplasty procedure. Every patient heals differently and how their body responds to the surgery cannot be entirely predicted.
The revision rhinoplasty procedure is performed in the same fashion as primary rhinoplasty but requires greater training, experience, and more complex techniques. Every revision rhinoplasty patient requires a varying treatment strategy in order to receive their desired results. At Eisemann Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Eisemann will work with you one-on-one to build an individualized treatment plan that matches your exact needs. Video imaging and morphing tools help you to match your aesthetic goals with those of Dr. Eisemann.
Am I a Candidate for Revision Rhinoplasty?
Patients who have undergone a primary rhinoplasty procedure and received results that did not match their expectations are generally good candidates for revision rhinoplasty.
Patients interested in revision rhinoplasty should wait at least 6 months following their original procedure before scheduling an additional nose surgery. Not only will your nose need sufficient time to heal before your next procedure, but your results will change over time as residual swelling continues to subside. You may initially dislike your results following rhinoplasty, but they will continue to change over the course of several months and may eventually meet your expectations.
During an in-person consultation, Dr. Eisemann can determine if your concerns can be fixed through revision rhinoplasty. In the majority of cases, a revision procedure can address unsatisfying results from primary rhinoplasty.
A revision procedure can be performed to correct a range of imperfections, including:
- Nasal asymmetry
- Breathing issues
- Excessive scar tissue
- Deviated septum
- Nasal collapse
The Revision Rhinoplasty Procedure
The revision rhinoplasty procedure is largely the same as primary rhinoplasty. First, you will be numbed using local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the requirements of your procedure and your preference. Once you have been anesthetized, Dr. Eisemann will make multiple incisions to access the underlying structure of your nose. Similar to traditional rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty can be performed as both an open and closed procedure. In the case of an open procedure, Dr. Eisemann will make an external incision in the same location as your first surgery to prevent excessive scarring and provide optimum visualization.
During surgery, Dr. Eisemann may reshape, trim, remove or replace pieces of cartilage and bone to achieve your desired results. Cartilage grafts might also be added to certain areas of your nose if too much tissue was removed and added structure is required from your first procedure. If an insufficient amount of septum cartilage is available to create the necessary adjustments, Dr. Eisemann may take grafts from your ear cartilage or rib to reconstruct your nose. Dr. Eisemann will outline every step of your procedure during your consultation to ensure you know exactly what to expect on the day of your surgery and postoperatively thereafter. Revision rhinoplasty can last one to four hours.
Recovering from Revision Rhinoplasty
Your recovery after revision rhinoplasty will mostly mirror your initial recovery process. Generally speaking, most patients undergo fewer changes during their revision procedure and can enjoy a quicker recovery. Your face will appear bruised and swollen for one to two weeks. Your nose may also feel sensitive or numb while it heals. Dr. Eisemann may place a splint across your nose to support it as it heals.
Your Revision Rhinoplasty Consultation
During your revision rhinoplasty consultation, Dr. Eisemann will listen to all of your concerns about the results of your first procedure to identify the main issues. He will also perform a detailed evaluation and examination of your nose internally and externally to determine the best course of action in addressing any imperfections or unfavorable results. He will ask for a copy of your operative report from the initial surgeon and photographs taken of you before the surgery. Only after creating an individualized treatment plan for reconstruction that you feel comfortable with will Dr. Eisemann move forward with your revision procedure.
To learn more about revision rhinoplasty and decide if it’s right for you, call the Eisemann Plastic Surgery Center today at 713-790-1771 and schedule a consultation.
