Each year, over 350,000 Americans get a rhinoplasty, or nose reshaping, procedure. This makes it the second most popular cosmetic procedure in the U.S.
However, many people don’t hear about the fact that many rhinoplasty patients aren’t happy with the results of their procedure.
When this happens, patients have three options:
- Leave it as it is and grow to accept the results from the first rhinoplasty
- Get a liquid rhinoplasty on a regular basis to change the results
- Get revision rhinoplasty to fix the issue permanently
In this article, expert rhinoplasty plastic surgeon Dr. Jose Barrera discusses how long patients must wait after their initial rhinoplasty surgery before getting revision rhinoplasty.
Why Would I Want Revision Rhinoplasty?
There are several reasons why a patient might consider revision rhinoplasty. These include:
Unsatisfactory results: If the patient is unhappy with their initial rhinoplasty surgery results, they may decide to get revision surgery to address any issues or concerns they have.
Changes in the shape of the nose over time: The shape of the nose can change due to ageing or other factors. A patient may get revision rhinoplasty surgery to address these changes and restore the desired shape of their nose.
Correct functional problems: In some cases, patients may get rhinoplasty surgery to help fix functional problems, such as difficulty breathing. If these issues are not fully resolved after the initial rhinoplasty surgery, the patient may get revision surgery to address any remaining problems.
Correct complications: Complications from the initial surgery, such as infection or scarring, may require revision surgery to address and correct.
The reason for revision rhinoplasty will also impact how soon the patient may wish to undergo revision rhinoplasty.
Why Do I Have to Wait Before Getting Revision Rhinoplasty?
It is vital to allow enough time for the initial swelling to resolve and for the final shape of the nose to become apparent before considering revision surgery.
This will help ensure that the revision surgery is performed on fully healed tissues and allows the surgeon to accurately assess the results of the initial surgery and determine what changes may be necessary for the revision rhinoplasty surgery.
How Long Do I Need to Wait Before I Can Get Revision Rhinoplasty?
Patients generally must wait at least one year after their initial rhinoplasty surgery before considering revision surgery. The nose will be swollen or uneven as the tissues heal in the first few months after surgery, making it impossible to accurately assess the full results from the initial procedure.
Waiting a year or longer after the initial surgery will also give the patient time to adjust to the changes in their appearance and to consider if revision surgery is truly necessary. In some cases, patients may find that they are satisfied with the results of their initial surgery once the nose has fully healed and settled.
Revision Rhinoplasty in San Antonio, TX
If you or a loved one is considering revision rhinoplasty, it is important to discuss the timing of revision surgery with a qualified, experienced reconstructive plastic surgeon.
Revision rhinoplasty is more complicated than initial rhinoplasty due to the changed structure of the tissues and bones. This means a more specialist surgeon is required.
Dr. Barrera prides himself on his patient satisfaction and the personalized, caring approach he takes to dealing with each and every patient on their own unique individual basis.
Simply call (210) 468-5426 or fill out Dr. Barrera’s online form to discuss how we can improve your life today.
