How Long Must I Wait to Have a Second Rhinoplasty?

If you have been through one round of rhinoplasty and you aren’t happy with your results, you are not alone. The need for revision rhinoplasty is a common issue. Rhinoplasty is extremely delicate surgery. Each situation is unique. No matter how experienced your plastic surgeon is, the end result may not be what you expected. One of the most common complications after rhinoplasty is the formation of a bridge that is too high due to excess cartilage that is left behind. A bump on the bridge of your nose may prove to be a trouble spot.
Patients often choose rhinoplasty because they want to eliminate the appearance of a bump. In some cases, the plastic surgeon may err on the side of caution by removing too small of an amount of cartilage or bone. The end result will be a bump that has not been corrected. At the opposite end of the spectrum, a surgeon may remove too much, making the bridge of the nose look like it has a dip where the bump used to be. The center area of the nose may collapse after a bump has been removed. Other issues include a nose that appears to be deviated, in which it looks twisted, or there may be problems with the appearance of the tip of the nose. Regardless of what your concern is after rhinoplasty has not lived up to your expectations, you want to have the problem fixed. The question is when?

How Long Do You Have to Wait Until You Can Come in for Revision Rhinoplasty?
After your initial rhinoplasty procedure, you are going to need to wait a minimum time period of six months. During this stage, your nose will go through changes. Swelling persists for a considerable amount of time after rhinoplasty. You can expect the greatest amount of swelling to go down within three weeks of your procedure. If you are not happy with your rhinoplasty results, hang in there and wait in this time frame. At the end of three weeks, you’ll be close to your final outcome. By six months, you can have a clear picture of what to expect. After the first year, you should see true definition of your nasal features. If you don’t think you can possibly wait more than six months to have revision rhinoplasty because you are so unhappy with your results, make your appointment for a consultation at this point.

Be Prepared to Wait Longer
In spite of your wishes, you may be asked to wait longer when you discuss revision rhinoplasty with your plastic surgeon. Some surgeons prefer to give the nose more time to settle. They may ask you to wait up to nine months. In some cases, your surgeon may recommend waiting a full year for the best outcome. To get an idea of why you may be asked to wait longer, the tip of the nose takes longer to heal completely as compared to the bridge. You want to make sure that you have healed adequately before you undergo additional surgery. In some cases, you may find that it is well worth the wait because you are happy with the way your nose has settled after a year. It’s difficult to be patient, but you want to make sure revision rhinoplasty is the right decision for you. You also need to allow the tissues, bone, and cartilage of your nose to heal.

Choose a Surgeon Who is Skilled in Revision Rhinoplasty
You may choose not to return to your original plastic surgeon if you are unhappy with your results. This is your opportunity to do your research. Look for a plastic surgeon who specializes in performing rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty procedures. You can look at testimonials, reviews, and talk to your regular provider to point you in the right direction. If you have complete confidence in your original plastic surgeon, you can return and request a revision. No matter how wonderful your surgeon is, you may run into complications or the unexpected. You may think you welcome the change you have asked for only to be unhappy with your end result. There is no way of knowing until you have surgery. Talk to your plastic surgeon about the best approach to correct any issues after rhinoplasty. If you are not happy with your surgeon’s answers, you can always ask for a second opinion. Only move forward when you find a doctor you trust completely.

Plan Your Procedure with Care
You’re going to need a week or two off from work after your revision rhinoplasty procedure. You’ll have to take a break of up to three weeks before you can do anything that is strenuous. Bear those time frames in mind as you prepare for surgery. If you have any special events in the near future, you should wait to have surgery until your calendar is clear. Once you have your procedure, be sure to follow your surgeon’s instructions with care. You want to do everything possible to promote proper healing of your nose. You should take care of incisions and avoid excess physical activity. Sleep in a reclining position to reduce swelling. Take pain medication and use cold compresses to feel more comfortable while you recover. Most importantly of all, be patient while you wait to see how your nose looks the second time around.

See Dr. Andrew Frankel to Learn More About Revision Rhinoplasty
Andrew Frankel, MD, FACS is a name you can trust when it comes to revision rhinoplasty. He has focused on head and neck surgery as well as facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. An impressive portion of Dr. Frankel’s training revolved around treatment for noses that were injured by cancer or trauma. Since that time, he has become well recognized around the nose as an authority in rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty.