8 Things You Must Know Before & After Revision Rhinoplasty

Secondary rhinoplasty is a type of surgical operation that is performed to fix the results of the first primary rhinoplasty. This procedure can assist in correcting any abnormality or breathing issues that resulted from the primary procedure. Revision rhinoplasty as a procedure is considered sensitive and challenging; however, with proper planning and approach, patients will have an opportunity to receive the expected outcomes. These are the recommendations that a patient needs to consider before and after going for revision rhinoplasty surgery.

What to do Before and After a Revision Rhinoplasty

If you’ve already undergone rhinoplasty and the results were less than satisfactory, you may be considering rhinoplasty revision. These are a few things you can do before and after revision rhinoplasty to ensure that the second surgery is successful.

Research revision rhinoplasty practices in your area

Many plastic surgery practices offer nose jobs, but few specialize in revision rhinoplasty surgery. Correcting previous nose procedures requires special skills and expertise, as well as extensive experience working with advanced techniques to correct aesthetic and functional issues.

It is important to choose a practice that specializes specifically in rhinoplasty revision. Ideally, you want a facility that is close to where you live so that it is easier to get to and from the clinic for your consultation, surgery, and follow-up appointments. However, if you can’t find an office near you, it is worth traveling to a reputable clinic that is known for its specialized expertise.

Choose an experienced and skilled plastic surgeon

As is the case with any other surgery, the likelihood of success in your revision surgery is anchored on the plastic surgeon. In selecting your surgeon you need to ensure that he/she has done several revision rhinoplasty surgeries before with satisfactory results. They should also enjoy good relations with the patients and other doctors or at least have a good image.

Before you make a decision, you should research the surgeon’s qualifications, training, and experience. You can also ask to see before and after photos of previous patients to get a better idea of the surgeon’s work. In addition, patient testimonials can offer a window into other people’s experiences with the practitioner and surgery center.

Have realistic expectations

People who are planning for the revision rhinoplasty should do so with reasonable expectations since revision is never a guarantees. The procedure may not fix some of the perceived issues fully and also may not give a perfect appearance as expected. This is good because you get to tell your plastic surgeon about what you want accomplished and what you want that area to look like once it has been operated on and your plastic surgeon is going to enlighten you about the realistic expectation of the surgery.

Like any other surgery, the patient has to present and sit with the surgeon to discuss the expected results and if a revision is possible. The surgeon has to physically assess the patient and see their file to know their medical history, then analyze the initial surgery result to know what to do. Any good surgeon will educate you about the procedures and the likely outcome of the surgery to your body.

Educate yourself about the surgery

Secondary surgery or revision rhinoplasty is a particularly challenging operation and it is carried out on the nasal structure, therefore, knowledge of nasal anatomy is vital. It may consist in the excision of scar tissue and the rearrangement of cartilage and bone or the use of grafts. In specific detail, the nature of surgery will depend on a case to case basis and on the intended objective.

Your plastic surgeon should be able to comprehensively explain the intricacies of your particular procedure to you and tell you exactly how they plan on correcting the issues from your previous surgery. After you have this knowledge, it helps to do some research on the techniques involved so that you have a thorough understanding of what will take place and why. This can also give you a better idea of what to expect.

Be proactive about preparation prior to the surgery

As important as it is to get the proper procedure done, some preparation should be done before the actual surgery to avoid complications and to increase the chances of a positive outcome. If you underwent a procedure before but did not experience the outcomes that you wanted, then there may have been some issues that an extra measure of prep beforehand could have eliminated.

Pre-operative steps may include discontinuing certain medications, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol and other substances that can increase the risk of bleeding and slow down the healing process. It is important to follow all of the steps your plastic surgeon suggests in the period leading up to your surgery and in the weeks that follow.

Understand the risks

Every surgical procedure has associated risks, and revision rhinoplasty procedures are no different. These may include bleeding, infection, scarring, and dissatisfaction with the results. Your rhinoplasty surgeon will discuss the risks with you and help you understand what to expect after the procedure.

One of the main risks associated with rhinoplasty corrections is scarring. You may find that you have more scarring this time around than the original procedure, especially if the skin was opened during the revision. An experienced plastic surgeon will be able to mitigate this risk and manage any adverse side effects.

Be diligent about aftercare

After secondary rhinoplasty, it is important to maintain the results by following the surgeon’s instructions. Post-operative care could include taking pain medications, keeping your head elevated, and avoiding physical activities that can put pressure on the nose, such as sports or heavy lifting. You should also avoid direct sun exposure, as this can cause skin damage and affect the final results.

You will also need to attend follow-up appointments with your cosmetic surgeon to monitor your progress and ensure that you are healing properly. During these appointments, the surgeon will evaluate the results of the revision and ensure that the desired outcome has been achieved. In addition, they will check for any signs of complications and take action to correct them if necessary.

Be patient with the results

After this secondary procedure, you can expect to see an improvement in the appearance and function of the nose. However, it may take several months for the final results to be visible as the swelling and bruising subside. In the meantime, be patient and continue to follow the aftercare steps to aid the revision nose surgery recovery process.

Your facial plastic surgeon can discuss the results with you and update you on your progress during your follow-up appointments. They can give you a realistic timeline of what to expect and how soon you can expect to see those results.

Revision rhinoplasty can be a complex and delicate procedure, but with the right research, plastic surgeon, and care, you can achieve the desired results. If you’re considering revision rhinoplasty in New Jersey, contact the Becker Rhinoplasty Center for more information or to book a consultation.