When Rhinoplasty Goes Wrong

Your satisfaction after a nose job is important. If performed correctly, a rhinoplasty procedure can help improve your confidence and self-esteem. However, it may not be possible for you to attain this goal after your initial surgery. If this defines your experience, there is hope. Dr. Alexis Furze helps Newport Beach, CA, residents who have failed to get satisfactory results from earlier nose surgeries.

When to Consider Revision Rhinoplasty

Since the nose takes a long time to recover after surgery, your doctor advises that you wait for up to 12 months before you consider going for revision rhinoplasty. It is crucial for you to have realistic expectations before going for surgery. Photo morphing software such as Photoshop is to blame for people having unreasonable expectations and hard to obtain results from a nose job. What is possible in a computer simulation might not be realistically achievable in an operating room.

After the initial surgery, your nose may end up having a dorsal hump, not fully smooth, deviation, or asymmetry, a tip that is too flared and wide and appearing out-right fake. Besides the cosmetic deficiencies, an imperfect nose job can make you experience breathing difficulties. If you are unhappy with the results of your first nose job, there is no shame in considering a revision rhinoplasty to iron out the things which bother you.

Revision Rhinoplasty Consultation

During the consultation, your doctor will do a comprehensive check on your nose to establish the best course of treatment. He will review your photos using 3D computer imaging and discuss the available approaches to achieve your surgery goals. Ensure you bring your previous operative reports during your consultation so that your doctor can understand the specifics of the initial surgery and make an informed decision. Inform your doctor if you have any nasal implants in good time. Your doctor will use a q-tip to determine if you have sufficient cartilage for the operation.

Reasons Why a Revision Rhinoplasty is Complex

Revision rhinoplasty is more challenging compared to the initial surgery due to the following reasons:

• Presence of scar tissue from the initial surgery
• Displaced graft or implant
• The tip of the nose may be deformed due to scar formation or graft migration
• Lack of enough cartilage in the nose to help sculpt a stable shape
• Development of breathing complications which arise after the initial surgery
• The new nose is imbalanced

Also, since the first surgery failed, this usually calls for reconstruction using building materials that are more structurally sound. Most often, cartilage will be harvested from your ribs. Due to the complexities of revision rhinoplasty, it is vital for you to seek an experienced surgeon's services. A surgeon's ability to handle surgical limitations becomes a vital consideration when settling on a doctor.

It is difficult to predict the outcome of a nose job precisely. Your nose may fail to come out perfectly after surgery due to several factors that can be attributed to faults on the surgeon or the patient. If your rhinoplasty results have gone awry, it is time to consider a revision. Visit your experienced surgeon to learn more about revision rhinoplasty.