Rhinoplasty Directory

A majority of nose jobs are successful and the patient is delighted with the end result. Unfortunately, for an estimated 10-15% of rhinoplasty patients, complications can arise that may require additional surgery to correct the problem. Common reasons to undergo secondary rhinoplasty include the removal of visible scarring, remedying problems which have arisen due to unforeseen complications and, in a small number of cases, putting right errors made by a surgeon during primary rhinoplasty surgery.

When undergoing revision rhinoplasty, many patients do not use the same surgeon as they did for the primary procedure. In a minority of cases this is due to the initial surgeon?s error and the patient does not feel comfortable using their services again. In the vast majority of secondary rhinoplasty operations, however, it is simply because a more specialised surgeon is required ? there are many rhinoplasty practitioners who only perform secondary procedures. Due to alterations made in the initial nose job, there are limits to what can be achieved with subsequent surgeries, and this necessitates a different range of skills.

Revision rhinoplasty can vary greatly in the extent of surgery required. In many instances the required alterations are very minor. For example small bumps can be filed down or dips in the nose can be filled out with a silicone implant. These minor defects are often caused by the patient damaging the nose in some way ? by bumping it, for example ? before it had properly healed from the primary surgery. The cost of correcting these problems is generally low and post operative recovery should be fairly quick, with most minor procedures being performed on an out-patient basis.

Secondary rhinoplasty becomes more complicated when the damage from the initial surgery is not just cosmetic, but impairs the functionality of the nose as well. Impaired breathing is the most common complication arising from a failed or sub-standard nose job. The cosmetic surgeon will aim to produce an aesthetically pleasing nose as well as restoring function, and will take the patient?s wishes into account in regards to this. However, patients need to remember there are many more limiting factors on what can be achieved by ?sculpting? the nose in revision rhinoplasty. Scar tissue from primary rhinoplasty surgery, the thickness of the skin and previous alterations made to the cartilage and nasal tissue can all restrict the end result.

Occasionally, there are deeper psychological issues for patients seeking revision rhinoplasty surgery. Some patients request several nose jobs because their deep rooted insecurities mean they are never entirely happy with their post-operative appearance, even if their new nose is exactly as they requested. It is the surgeon?s job to assess the patient?s motivation for surgery is healthy, and they are within their rights to refuse to perform the procedure.

There are also instances when revision rhinoplasty is performed because the patient is unable to adjust to their new nose and want surgery to restore their nose to its original appearance. This is often because their idea of an ?ideal? nose does not actually compliment their facial features. For this reason, establishing good communication with the surgeon is essential, and expectations should be clarified before the initial nose job is carried out.

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