What is revision rhinoplasty?

Well, let’s answer the question of what revision rhinoplasty is. Revision rhinoplasty is an operation that corrects the results of the primary surgery or the condition after the primary nasal plastic surgery. This is necessary when there are objective indications: uncontrolled postoperative scarring, defects of the primary plasty, violations of the anatomical integrity of the cartilage and bone skeleton of the nose, as well as the subjective wishes of the patient.

For this reason, revision nose job plastic surgery cannot be done sooner than one year after the primary rhinoplasty due to the stages of scar formation and postoperative swelling, which causes it.

Is Revision Rhinoplasty Necessary?

Statistics show that about 45% of patients perform revision nose jobs. Most of these are because of unsatisfactory results regarding the look of it after the surgery. In such cases, preliminary nose modeling is necessary. It allows one to know before the surgery how the new nose is going to look and how it will combine with the other facial features.

If this first one is not performed correctly, further revision surgery can result in aesthetic or functional problems. Revision surgery can be used for changing the size and width of the nose, adjusting the tip and wings, and correcting asymmetries. After unsuccessful plastic surgery, you should change the nose’s appearance and restore the nasal septum. In this case, Dr. Kadir does a revision rhinoseptoplasty, considered one of the most challenging plastic surgeries.

Sometimes, the volume and complexity of the work to restore or change the nose are so great that doing them all in one operation is impossible, and a series of treatments is scheduled. This is often necessary for post-traumatic rhinoplasty or congenital defects when you don’t just need plastic but reconstructive surgery.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Revision Rhinoplasty?

Here are the following reasons for a revision rhinoplasty:

• A patient was dissatisfactied with the nose’s size and shape after rhinoplasty, during which the expected effect was never achieved.
• A patient is faced with impaired breathing function after the first treatment. Breathing is harrowing, and headaches occur; postoperative scars are too noticeable.
• Hollows or gaps in the nose have been identified, impairing its aesthetic appearance.
• A deviation of the nasal septum has occurred.
• The nose became more asymmetrical after the operation.

It happens so that a patient unprepared for the possible consequences of a failed operation becomes depressed. Only those who understand that not everyone is lucky to get a beautiful nose for the first time gradually prepare for the next operation. They expect it will complete the correction and eliminate all the identified defects.

Timing of Revision Rhinoplasty

For this and many other reasons, revision rhinoplasty should not co-occur with the first surgery. For that reason, experienced surgeons usually recommend a waiting period between 12-18 months before the primary rhinoplasty can be changed to a revision procedure. The waiting period is essential for the following reasons:

• Healing Time of the Nose. The nose must be allowed time to fully recover from the initial surgery. The scar tissue and swells can take months on end to disappear, and revision surgery while the healing is largely interfered with may lead to bad outcomes.
• Final Outcome Assessment. The final results of the primary rhinoplasty may take one year or longer to appear. The edema may mask the nose’s real shape and construction, so it is important to wait until the edema has subsided to assess whether a need for revision surgery arises.
• Patient’s Emotional Readiness. Most of these patients are emotionally involved in the rhinoplasty process. The delay allows these patients to accept the results of the first surgery and gives them time to make well-thought-out decisions about whether revision surgery is the right choice.

The Psychological Impact of Revision Rhinoplasty

In some cases, undergoing rhinoplasty is a substantial emotional and psychological investment by patients. Should the results of that initial surgery not turn out as expected, then disappointment, anxiety, and sometimes even depression set in. Revision rhinoplasty gives the patient another chance at an optimal result but brings a host of new emotional challenges. This can be a time of mixed emotions for patients: hope coupled with apprehension, for stakes are, after all, more significant. This is why a reliable plastic surgeon’s preparation and support on a psychological level is vital to ensure that a patient has the right state of mind and the proper expectations upon having a revision surgery.

The Need to Choose the Right Surgeon

Choosing the right surgeon for revising a rhinoplasty is the most critical decision a patient will make. Again, because of the intricacies involved in the procedure, it becomes important that the surgeon chosen specializes in revision cases and enjoys a proven record of success. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Kadir Kilimcioglu handles the most problematic cases himself. He will spend the necessary time to achieve the best results and respond to the patient’s expectations. It is essential to consult the surgeon in which the patient expresses his complaints, goals, and techniques during the revision surgery.

How Risky Is a Revision Rhinoplasty?

However, the new procedure results are difficult to predict because revision rhinoplasty is more complicated and risky. A full recovery (at least 1 year) must occur before such a treatment can be performed.

Besides, the answer to the question, “What is the success rate of revision rhinoplasty” depends on the plastic surgeon’s skill. Dr. Kadir Kilimcioglu has over 25 years of experience in aesthetic and functional surgery to satisfy each patient and provide excellent results. 

Conclusion

Revision rhinoplasty is a highly specialized procedure that corrects or improves upon previous rhinoplasty results. Indeed, in most cases, revision rhinoplasty is considerably more complicated and challenging than primary rhinoplasty because it entails various issues not usually encountered in primary rhinoplasty, such as scar tissue, changed anatomy, and grafting. However, when performed by an appropriate surgeon who has planned meticulously, it could still yield a result that improves both the form and function of the nose. The successful journey of any revision rhinoplasty patient must include patience, realistic expectations, and perfect preparation.