October 4, 2022 - Dr. Markarian

Rhinoplasty, often referred to as the “nose job” outside medical environments, is a meticulous procedure tailored to each patient. Usually, if patients go to a credible, talented surgeon who is well versed in performing rhinoplasties, they leave happy with their results. If done correctly, rhinoplasty can be a massive confidence booster and almost life-changing.Just as with any procedure, however, there is a possibility that the results will not turn out exactly as you had hoped. You must have realistic expectations of your rhinoplasty outcome, but with excellent communication and the surgeon’s ability to understand your goals, dissatisfaction should be minimal, if at all. Regardless, some people go into their rhinoplasty procedure with excitement and high confidence that their results will match their goals, yet come out of surgery disappointed. According to a study in the National Library of Medicine, the revision rate for rhinoplasty ranges from 5% to 15%.What do I do if I’m not happy with my rhinoplasty results?If you are unsatisfied with your rhinoplasty results, the first step is to reach out and consult with the surgeon who performed the surgery. Keep in mind, however, that it is normal for your nose to appear swollen for the first few months following the procedure. Around 90% of the swelling will go down after about three months, and the rest, which is barely noticeable, will gradually disappear within a year.According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, some of the most common reasons people seek revision rhinoplasty are to improve scar tissue formed from the initial procedure, deformities that were not addressed in the initial procedure, a deviated septum, or a collapse of tip cartilages.If your disappointment is unrelated to the swollen appearance of your nose and more toward the structure or functionality, it is essential to communicate this with your surgeon. Your surgeon may be able to explore a revision rhinoplasty with you. If you feel that you no longer trust your surgeon’s abilities to help you reach your goals, you may want to explore a second opinion from a surgeon specializing in rhinoplasties. You should first consult with the original surgeon about what went wrong and get a full explanation of what happened during the procedure. Having the full details of your surgery will help when you explain the situation during a consultation with a different surgeon. No matter how deeply they analyze the appearance of your nose and listen to your story, the new surgeon may need to reach out directly to the original surgeon before taking action.What happens during a revision rhinoplasty?When you are unhappy with your previous rhinoplasty results and want to improve the appearance of your nose further, you need to visit an experienced facial plastic surgeon as this complicated procedure requires very skilled hands. Typically, when performing revision rhinoplasty, Dr. Markarian will take bone or cartilage from other parts of the body, such as the rib or ear, reshape them, and strategically place them in the nose to correct its appearance.How soon after rhinoplasty can I get a revision rhinoplasty?As mentioned above, it takes your nose a whole year to completely recover from your rhinoplasty. If you are unsatisfied with your results and are considering getting a revision procedure, keep in mind that you must wait a full12 months following your first procedure before having the revision. When patients come to Dr. Markarian for revision rhinoplasty to correct the issues from their original procedure that are causing them concern, he ensures there has been enough time since the original to do so.How many revision rhinoplasties can I get?There is not necessarily a limit to the number of revision rhinoplasties you can get, but as with any invasive procedure, each procedure comes with new risks and challenges. For this reason, you want to be sure the surgeon you go to for a revision is trustworthy and accomplished in performing rhinoplasty to avoid further complications.Am I a good candidate for revision rhinoplasty?If you are simply unsatisfied with your rhinoplasty results, there is a high possibility that you are a good candidate for a revision. However, other factors must be considered as well, such as:Your last rhinoplasty was at least 12 months agoYou can safely get a revision rhinoplasty without risks to the functionality of your noseYou are in overall good healthYou are willing to relay all of the necessary information to a new surgeon if seeking a new professionalWhat is recovery like after revision rhinoplasty?With tissues that have been previously altered and then further operated on, the scar tissue will require more time to heal, resulting in an extended recovery period for a revision compared to an initial rhinoplasty. The recovery following a revision rhinoplasty typically lasts about 2-3 weeks. If you work in person, you will need to stay home for at least ten days following surgery to give yourself time to rest and heal properly. It’s normal to have a degree of discomfort and noticeable swelling for the first few days following your surgery, but these should dissipate naturally. It may be more difficult to breathe out of your nose right after your revision rhinoplasty, but you should be able to breathe clearly within two weeks.How do I find the right surgeon to do my revision rhinoplasty?If you are confident that revision rhinoplasty is necessary to fulfill your goals, an essential step is finding a surgeon with vast experience, a detailed eye, and skilled hands to get the job done. Some ways you can ensure a surgeon is the right person for the surgery include:Ask them how many revision rhinoplasties they have performedRead all “real patient” reviews you can find about themLook through rhinoplasty before and after photos on their website and social media. Do the results resemble your goal results?Read the comments on their social media posts. Are they positive?If you have any friends who have gone to them, ask them about their experience.How do I fix my nose when I am unhappy with my rhinoplasty results?To summarize, here are the steps you should follow if you are unhappy with your rhinoplasty outcome and want further change to the shape or size of your nose:Reach out to the surgeon who performed your rhinoplasty, clearly explaining what you are unhappy with, and ask them what could have caused the issue.If you are confident that your original surgeon can correct where they went wrong, discuss a revision rhinoplasty with them. If you feel uncertain about their ability to give you your dream results, look into other facial plastic surgeons with a specific talent for rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty.Thoroughly research the surgeon you are considering going to for your revision rhinoplasty.Explain your situation in-depth at the first consultation for your revision rhinoplasty and ask questions about your candidacy for the procedure to ensure you are ready.Be prepared for the recovery period. Having already had a rhinoplasty procedure, you will know what to expect. Remember, recovery may be longer than it was for your previous rhinoplasty surgery.If you are considering a revision rhinoplasty, schedule a consultation to meet with Dr. Mark Markarian in Boston to discuss your eligibility for a revision and how he can help you get the results you’ve always wanted.

MD, MSPH, FACS

HARVARD-TRAINED BOARD
CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON

Day: October 4, 2022

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