“Oops” isn’t a word that anyone wants to use to describe their rhinoplasty, but unfortunately, it can occur. If your rhinoplasty isn’t as expected or if you’re experiencing breathing problems or other complications after surgery, you may need revision rhinoplasty. A revision procedure corrects problems with a previous rhinoplasty, creating the results that should have happened the first time around.
If you’re considering revision rhinoplasty in Southern California, call (949)-515-0550 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ali Sajjadian. He is one of Newport Beach’s best rhinoplasty surgeons and is known around the world for his exceptional results with both first-time rhinoplasties and revision procedures. When you choose a skilled surgeon for your rhinoplasty, mistakes and problems are rare. The majority of our revision rhinoplasty patients come to us from other surgeons, particularly those with limited rhinoplasty experience.
Revision Rhinoplasty: When You Need a Rhinoplasty Do-Over
When you choose a skilled surgeon for your rhinoplasty, mistakes and problems are rare. The majority of our revision rhinoplasty patients come to us from other surgeons, potentially those with limited rhinoplasty experience.
This is an issue that highlights the importance of vetting surgeons before committing to a procedure. Always ask about relevant experience and how many times the doctor has performed the procedure. It is also wise to ask to see patient testimonials, as well as before and after photos of the surgeon’s results.
Most plastic surgeons will have no problem answering your questions and showing you examples of their work. For many, their portfolios should be a source of pride. If your doctor seems hesitant or unwilling to share this information, it’s probably a good idea to ask around and do some independent research.
Patients typically request revision rhinoplasty for one of two reasons: poor aesthetic results or functional difficulties. Some patients will experience a combination of both cosmetic and functional problems. They may be unhappy with how their nose looks or struggling with breathing difficulties. Whatever the case, we’ll work with you to make things right.
The Difficulties of Revision Rhinoplasty
Revision rhinoplasty is one of the most complicated nasal surgeries. Often the nasal structure is compromised, and your surgeon must be highly experienced to achieve good results without creating further damage. Dr. Sajjadian often performs revision procedures on patients that received their initial rhinoplasty with another surgeon. He uses advanced imaging technologies to visualize the nose and create a treatment plan. He talks extensively with revision rhinoplasty patients before surgery to find out what went wrong, and to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
One of the biggest factors that makes revision surgery so challenging is the presence of scar tissue. While there is likely no scarring on the outside of your nose, it will be present from the incisions of the initial procedure. The more scarring there is, the longer and more complicated the revision can become. Excess scarring can impact how the nose heals after revision surgery. This scarring can lead to unpredictable results.
The structural integrity of the nose is an important factor as well. During rhinoplasty, after the reshaping of the nose, septal cartilage is often used to add strength. However, this usually means that there is not enough septal cartilage leftover for further use in revision surgery. This means that the doctor may have to use cartilage from the ears or even ribs to make up the difference.
Revision rhinoplasty is surgically complex, and it can also be emotionally trying for patients. No one dreams of a rhinoplasty gone wrong, and our revision patients are often frustrated, angry, and nervous. Dr. Sajjadian understands the unique concerns that revision patients face and works closely with them for a more positive rhinoplasty experience.
Do I Need Revision Rhinoplasty?
There are a variety of reasons you may be unhappy with your initial rhinoplasty, whether the fault was with a surgeon or whether because complications arose during the healing process.
Sometimes breathing can become obstructed as a result of the surgery – a problem which may not become apparent until after healing. It’s even possible that a preexisting issue is worsened by the procedure. Both of these are cause to consider undergoing a procedure again.
It is also possible to compromise the results of your initial surgery through trauma or injury during the healing process. While the initial and most crucial recovery period after rhinoplasty is around three weeks, there may still be minor swelling for up to six months. During this time, damage to the nose can alter what would have otherwise been desirable results. This might be something as serious as a car accident or as simple as dropping your phone on your face in bed.
If you’re unhappy with your rhinoplasty results, for any reason, you should first communicate with your surgeon. It usually takes one year to reduce the swelling after surgery and have close to final result. Revision rhinoplasty can correct many post-rhinoplasty complaints including deviated septum, nasal obstruction, dissatisfaction with size or shape, asymmetry, and compromised nasal structure.
How Soon After Rhinoplasty Can I Schedule a Revision Rhinoplasty in Newport Beach, CA?
Good things are worth the wait, and in the case of revision rhinoplasty, patience is needed.
As previously mentioned, a nose job can take a long time to fully heal. While the initial recovery period is only about three weeks before being able to resume normal social activities, it can be six months before the tissue is fully healed and the swelling is completely gone.
During this recovery period, and even for a time after, your nose is still settling, and its final shape might not have the flaws or asymmetries that initially bothered you. In some cases, what bothers you most may simply be that your face – the face you’ve known your whole life – is different. This difference may cause a feeling of uneasiness, but with time you may find that your new nose grows on you.
Dr. Sajjadian asks patients to wait at least a year after their original rhinoplasty. Why is waiting necessary? It takes time for the nose to heal and for all swelling to go down. Waiting ensures that the nose is healed and ready for another surgical procedure. Wait at least a year after your first rhinoplasty to schedule your revision surgery.
What to Consider When Scheduling Your Revision Rhinoplasty
Just like your initial surgery, revision rhinoplasty requires preparation and planning ahead. There are a number of things to consider when planning for your procedure.
For starters, allow yourself time to get comfortable with your doctor and their work. Let them get to know you and better understand what you’re looking for and what your expectations are. Sometimes, the results you’re looking for might be unrealistic, and the doctor will need time to lay out a treatment plan to help you meet their goals to the best of their ability.
It’s also important to keep in mind that, just like before, you will need to schedule about three weeks off from work, social activities, and anything requiring strenuous effort. If you have any events coming up – weddings, conventions, vacations, etc. – you will need to schedule your surgery around them. You may want to plan the procedure for after these events, or well before them if you have the time.
Get the Records from Your Previous Surgeon
The doctor performing your revision will likely be able to tell a great deal just by examining your nose. However, it’s best to acquire your medical records from the surgeon who performed the initial rhinoplasty. These records will contain your prior doctor’s notes, pre-op photographs, and an operative summary of the first procedure.
Revision rhinoplasty is significantly more complicated than an initial surgery. As such, it’s important that your new doctor has as much information as possible, and your surgical record may contain notes that help avoid future complications.
Some patients may find it uncomfortable to approach their old doctor for records to take to their new doctor. The feeling is understandable, but it’s important to remember that your medical records are legally your property and exist for your own safety.
Avoiding Rhinoplasty Complications
Like any surgery, revision rhinoplasty comes with a small set of risks, but there are a number of ways to mitigate these risks. The first and most important of these is to find the right surgeon. No matter how unhappy you might be with your initial results, rushing to fix it is not the answer. Take your time, research well-reviewed surgeons in your area, try finding and talking to others who can provide first-hand testimonials.
Make sure your new surgeon is experienced and has a background of revision rhinoplasty. A doctor who is less experienced is less likely to know what complications can be expected or how to avoid them. It should go without saying that an experienced surgeon is unlikely to give you better results than your initial practitioner.
Revision rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure. While the surgery itself takes several hours and you’ll spend several more hours in recovery, you will be going home afterwards where you are 100% responsible for your own aftercare. Failing to follow the doctor’s instructions for the healing process can result in complications and a less-desirable result. If you do experience any warning signs or something doesn’t seem right, don’t hesitate to call your doctor about it.
Although revision surgery can correct many problems, it is easier to avoid a second surgery altogether. Choosing an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon like Dr. Sajjadian for your first rhinoplasty will significantly reduce the risk of needing a revision rhinoplasty later.
Make the Right Choice – Consult an Expert
Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. That is to say that beauty is subjective. What is attractive to one person may be completely unappealing to another. When searching for your revision rhinoplasty surgeon, it’s important to not only confirm their experience and the quality of their prior work, but also their aesthetic sense.
Ensure that you look through their portfolio of before and after pictures and pay close attention to any patients who have similar features to yours. Make sure that the results your new doctor produces line up with your goals and expectations.
If you need a revision rhinoplasty, Dr. Sajjadian is one of the best surgeons in the area to work with. He is triple board certified, highly trained, and has performed countless successful rhinoplasties and revision rhinoplasties. We’re here to help if things didn’t go as planned with your first-time nasal surgery.
To schedule your revision rhinoplasty consultation in Newport Beach, CA contact Dr. Ali Sajjadian, triple board certified plastic surgeon.