Revision Rhinoplasty
If you have had rhinoplasty and you are unhappy with the results, revision rhinoplasty could give you a second chance to have a nose you love. NYC Revision Rhinoplasty Specialist Dr. David Cangello is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with extensive experience in complex rhinoplasty surgery. Revision rhinoplasty, also known as secondary rhinoplasty or corrective rhinoplasty, aims to repair nasal deformities and restore a natural, balanced look to the nose.
Reasons For Revision Rhinoplasty
Plastic surgery experts recognize the complexity of rhinoplasty surgery and generally agree that rhinoplasty is one of the most demanding cosmetic procedures because it requires knowledge of nasal function as well as the skill to deliver pleasing aesthetic results for a prominent facial feature.1 Many plastic surgeons perform rhinoplasty, but not all of them specialize in rhinoplasty with the passion and skill that Dr. Cangello does. Rhinoplasty was the 3rd most popular cosmetic surgery in the United States in 2018, with 213,780 nose reshaping procedures performed.2 Studies estimate that over 15% of rhinoplasty patients are not satisfied with their results and that almost 10% of patients will seek revision rhinoplasty.3 Reasons for revision rhinoplasty include:
- Obstructed nasal airways that cause breathing issues
- An “overdone” or unnatural look
- Incomplete dorsal height reduction (hump or overly large bridge was not reduced enough)
- Overly reduced dorsal height (hump or bridge was overcorrected leading to a “scooped out” look)
- The tip of the nose looks “pinched” or too small
- The original rhinoplasty did not produce enough of a change
- Deviated septum
- Asymmetry
Preparing For Revision Rhinoplasty
The first step is a consultation appointment with Dr. Cangello at his NYC office. If available, please bring as much information as possible about your original surgery, including the surgeon’s operative notes. If Dr. Cangello determines you are a candidate for revision rhinoplasty, he will create your personalized surgical plan. Dr. Cangello is experienced in a variety of surgical techniques and the details of your surgery will depend on your goals. Since the reasons for revision rhinoplasty are so varied, the surgical approach differs for each patient. Patients who are seeking minor cosmetic adjustments may need only limited recontouring. However, many patients will require a more complex procedure. If there is not sufficient septal cartilage to restructure the nose, it may be necessary to harvest cartilage from the ear to be grafted within the nose or to use cadaveric rib cartilage. Certain deformities may also require that Dr. Cangello harvest fascia either from the temple or abdomen. Dr. Cangello will make sure that you understand the details of your surgery prior to your procedure.
The Revision Rhinoplasty Surgical Procedure
During a revision rhinoplasty procedure, you can generally expect several key steps. The surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia to ensure your comfort and safety. Dr. Cangello will correct or improve the outcomes of previous rhinoplasty surgeries, using techniques such as grafting, reshaping existing cartilage, or altering the nasal bones. The procedure may require a longer operation time than primary rhinoplasty due to the complexity of the specific case being addressed. During surgery, Dr. Cangello will carefully assess your nasal structure and make the necessary adjustments to achieve the desired outcome. Overall, patients can expect their revision rhinoplasty procedure to address their concerns and provide them with a more balanced and harmonious nasal appearance.
Revision Rhinoplasty Recovery and Results
You can expect some discomfort and swelling after surgery, which can be managed with medication. You may also experience some bruising and swelling around the eyes. You will be given detailed instructions for post-op care, including guidance on avoiding strenuous activity. Dr. Cangello will remove your splint about one week after surgery, and patients typically return to work or school at this time. Your initial results may be obscured by swelling. Mild swelling can persist for up to a year, but you will be able to see more defined results about one month after surgery and your nose will look even better several months out.
Why Choose Dr. Cangello For Your Revision Rhinoplasty?
Dr. Cangello received training at prestigious institutions and has been honored with several awards for his surgical skill. He is also an artist with a keen eye for aesthetics, which allows him to approach plastic surgery as both a science and an art. He is a member of the Rhinoplasty Society, which is an exclusive invitation-only professional organization open only to the top rhinoplasty surgeons in the world. Dr. Cangello never takes a “one size fits all” approach to rhinoplasty. Rather, he takes the time to learn about your needs and goals and he creates a treatment plan to deliver natural-looking results. Dr. Cangello has been featured as a rhinoplasty expert for several media outlets, including Harper’s Bazaar, Refinery29, Seventeen Magazine Online, and CBS News.
Contact Dr. Cangello for Revision Rhinoplasty in NYC
Patients can sometimes feel shame when they are not happy with the results of their original rhinoplasty, but you don’t have to live with “a nose job gone wrong”. A consultation appointment with Dr. Cangello can give you a better idea of your options so you can make the choice that is best for you. Contact us today with any questions or to schedule your revision rhinoplasty consultation at our New York City office.
FAQs About Revision Rhinoplasty
Revision rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to correct or improve the outcomes of a previous rhinoplasty surgery. It addresses issues such as aesthetic concerns, functional problems, or unsatisfactory results from the initial procedure.
Revision rhinoplasty is generally more complex than primary rhinoplasty because it involves working with altered nasal structures and scar tissue from previous surgeries.4 It requires a high level of expertise and skill to achieve satisfactory results.
Candidates for revision rhinoplasty include individuals who have undergone previous nasal surgeries and are dissatisfied with the results. They may have functional issues like breathing difficulties or cosmetic concerns such as asymmetry, deformities, or excessive scarring.
Revision rhinoplasty can address a variety of issues, including correction of aesthetic irregularities, improvement in nasal symmetry, refinement of nasal shape, enhancement of nasal function, and resolution of breathing difficulties or nasal obstruction.
Dr. Cangello recommends waiting at least one year after the initial rhinoplasty before undergoing a revision procedure. This allows the nasal tissues to heal and stabilize, providing a better foundation for the revision surgery.
Yes, revision rhinoplasty tends to be more challenging due to scar tissue, altered anatomy, and the potential lack of cartilage for grafting. Dr. Cangello will carefully evaluate your nasal anatomy and create a precise preoperative plan for the revision surgery to achieve the desired outcome.
As with any surgical procedure, revision rhinoplasty carries risks, including infection, bleeding, adverse reactions to anesthesia, asymmetry, poor wound healing, breathing difficulties, and the need for further revisions.5 Dr. Cangello will discuss these risks with you before scheduling your procedure.
References
1 ASPS. Understanding revision rhinoplasty and why patients seek out this procedure. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/understanding-revision-rhinoplasty-and-why-patients-seek-out-this-procedure. Accessed July 17, 2023.
2 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2018 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2018/plastic-surgery-statistics-full-report-2018.pdf Accessed December 10, 2019.
3 Neaman K, et al. Cosmetic Rhinoplasty: Revision Rates Revisited. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 33, Issue 1, January 2013, Pages 31–37, https://doi.org/10.1177/1090820X12469221
4 SpringerPlus. Revision rhinoplasty: measurement of patient-reported outcomes and analysis of predictive factors. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5009061/. Accessed July 17, 2023.
5 GMS Current Topics in Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Risks and complications in rhinoplasty. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3199839/. Accessed July 17, 2023.