Revision Rhinoplasty San Francisco

The nose is a delicate and detailed part of the body; nose surgery, or rhinoplasty, requires expert knowledge of its shape and functions. Even with this knowledge, it can be challenging to predict how a single person’s body will respond to rhinoplasty. Everyone heals differently, and the nose takes up to two years to fully settle into its new shape after surgery. This combination of factors means that it is not uncommon for rhinoplasty clients to realize that their initial results need to be revised after recovery.

You may want revision rhinoplasty for a few different reasons. If your original rhinoplasty did not achieve what you hoped for, you might want to seek a revision to perfect your results. In some cases, revision rhinoplasty is right for correcting a cosmetic issue that either wasn’t adequately addressed in the first surgery or was created during the initial procedure in the process of trying to treat other concerns. Other clients may seek revision rhinoplasty because the changes during the first procedure affected the nose’s function, making breathing more difficult or creating other complications.

If you’ve had rhinoplasty surgery and aren’t satisfied with your results, perhaps it’s time for a revision. Located in the Bay Area, The Maas Clinic can expertly reconstruct your nose into something more aesthetically pleasing and functional. If you’re interested in scheduling a revision rhinoplasty consultation with Dr. Corey Maas, please contact us at (415) 567-7000 or visit our contact page.

Revision Rhinoplasty at The Maas Clinic

Out of all the nose surgeries Dr. Maas performs at The Maas Clinic each year, approximately half are revision rhinoplasties. Dr. Maas is an internationally-recognized expert in facial plastic surgery. Many clients come to The Maas Clinic to ensure that their revision is done with extra care and precision. It is not unusual for a revision procedure to be much more complex than the first due to changes in the nose, scar tissue formation, and having less bone and cartilage to work with the second time around. Dr. Maas is highly experienced in revision rhinoplasty and can manage these challenges to enhance the nose’s appearance and improve the nose’s function.

Before you undergo a revision rhinoplasty at The Maas Clinic, you will come in for a consultation visit where Dr. Maas can evaluate your nose, learn more about why you are interested in a revision and make a plan for how to correct your concerns. During your consultation, Dr. Maas will consider a number of factors as he prepares for the surgery, including the anatomic features of the nose, the facial proportions, and the lip-to-projection ratio.

For the nose itself, Dr. Maas looks at the nose’s curvature, nostril placement, and the shape and size of the tip. With many factors to consider, it is no wonder why it is essential to select an experienced plastic surgeon who has performed numerous revision surgeries and has a broad understanding of approaching this procedure based on all of the different factors.

Differences Between Revision Rhinoplasty and Primary Rhinoplasty

Although revision rhinoplasty and rhinoplasty are essentially the same things — they’re both surgical procedures to improve the form and function of the nose — they often differ in how they’re performed.

The key difference is that Dr. Maas must work around the changes made during your initial rhinoplasty in a revision procedure. Your revision rhinoplasty could require new incisions to be made, and implants or grafts may be needed to add volume where too much was removed. Dr. Maas may also have less skin tissue and cartilage to work with, depending on how extensive your initial rhinoplasty was.

Ensuring a successful revision rhinoplasty requires an artful eye and a thoughtful analysis of what went wrong with your initial rhinoplasty. Dr. Maas will thoroughly review your nasal structure and devise a treatment plan that will be suitable to improve upon your initial rhinoplasty, resulting in a beautiful nose.

Timing of Revision Surgery

The timing of revision surgery is one of the most significant variables that will determine the procedure’s success. Recovery from rhinoplasty can take time, with residual swelling often lasting for many months before the procedure’s full results can be seen. Many studies show it can take some clients up to two years before your new nose completely stops changing. For this reason, Dr. Maas usually advises patients to wait at least one full year after the initial procedure to schedule a revision surgery. At this point, you will be able to see most of your results except for small changes to your skin or minor adjustments in sensation or swelling. In general, if you are unhappy with your initial rhinoplasty at the one-year mark, you can begin to consider a revision rhinoplasty and visit a plastic surgeon to discuss your options.

There are exceptions to this general rule, however. For example, if the initial rhinoplasty left a substantial cosmetic concern or you are experiencing breathing difficulties, you may prefer to undergo revision surgery sooner rather than later. You might also pursue revision surgery more promptly if some trauma to the nose occurred during the recovery process from your initial procedure, leaving you with an apparent irregularity or displacement of one of the nasal bones. In cases like these, you should seek the advice of a board-certified facial plastic surgeon as soon as possible — they can help you determine whether the extent of your concern warrants an early revision.

Whenever you are unhappy with your first procedure results, you can always schedule a consultation with Dr. Maas. Even if you might need some more time to allow your results to settle, his professional evaluation and opinion can help you determine the optimal time to schedule your surgery. A consultation can also help you better understand if your concerns will change naturally or if you are a good candidate for revision rhinoplasty.

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Best Candidates for Revision Rhinoplasty

Revision rhinoplasty can be performed on patients who have had one or more previous rhinoplasty procedures. Patients are often uncomfortable with their initial rhinoplasty results because of a noticeable imbalance, deformity or imperfection. Revision is also desirable if your initial rhinoplasty is damaged due to an injury or accident. As mentioned, you should wait at least 12 months after your initial rhinoplasty to schedule a revision rhinoplasty because it can be difficult for Dr. Maas to accurately assess your concerns if your initial rhinoplasty hasn’t yet set in place.

You will need to be in overall good health if you’re considering a revision rhinoplasty. Before the procedure, you’ll be asked to quit smoking and stop taking blood-thinning medications to ensure a healthy recovery. Dr. Maas will thoroughly review your medical history and current health during an initial consultation. The best way to confirm your revision rhinoplasty candidacy is by scheduling a consultation.

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What to Expect from the Procedure

Revision rhinoplasty is, in essence, the same surgery as normal rhinoplasty, with a few possible differences. For example, in some situations, there may be insufficient cartilage left in the nose to make the necessary corrections. In this case, Dr. Maas would also need to obtain cartilage from a donor site — like the ribs or the ear — to complete the rhinoplasty correctly. If this is necessary, it is a minimally-invasive procedure that will leave a very small scar and have only a minor impact on the recovery time after the procedure. Revision rhinoplasty may also focus more on specific aspects of the nose that an initial cosmetic rhinoplasty did not address, such as a deviated septum or other internal concerns.

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and generally takes two to four hours to complete, depending on the extent of work needed. Since the procedure is building off your initial rhinoplasty, it may require different incisions, techniques and materials to sculpt your nose into a form that’s better suited to your unique features. In many cases, Dr. Maas utilizes the same incisions made from the initial rhinoplasty to access the nasal structures.

After Dr. Maas has made the necessary adjustments to your nasal structure, he will close it off with small sutures. A nasal splint is placed and bandaged. You’ll spend several hours in our recovery room before being able to go home. You should return home and be under the supervision and care of a family member or friend.

Revision Rhinoplasty Recovery

Your recovery time will be similar to your first rhinoplasty. Dr. Maas recommends taking at least one week away from work and other day-to-day responsibilities, followed by another week of light activity with as much continued rest as possible. At the two-week mark, you should be able to return to normal daily activities except for exercise or heavy lifting. Most clients need to wait about four weeks before returning to a workout routine. If you play sports or swim, you will need to wait a bit longer to avoid risking damage to your new nose. Dr. Maas will clear you for these activities during a follow-up appointment when he deems it appropriate.

It can be difficult for patients to wait for the final results of revision rhinoplasty to develop. Even after you return to normal activity levels, it can be a few months before all noticeable swelling has subsided, and you can see the shape of your revised nose. Unfortunately, no shortcuts exist in the healing process; the nose simply once again needs ample time to fully recover and for the bruising and swelling to subside completely. Once those results are apparent, they will be permanent and, in most cases, much more satisfying.

Contact The Maas Clinic to Schedule Your Revision Rhinoplasty Consultation

Revision rhinoplasty can help you overcome issues left or not addressed by your initial procedure and leave you with results you truly love. At The Maas Clinic, we want all of our clients to feel good about the results of their procedures, including nose surgery; your satisfaction and self-confidence are our priority. If you are interested in revision rhinoplasty in the San Francisco area, then a consultation with Dr. Maas might be just what you need to start the process of achieving your ideal nose. To get more information about revision rhinoplasty with us, call (415) 567-7000 or visit our contact page.

The information about revision rhinoplasty was reviewed by Corey S. Maas MD. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form on the sidebar.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Will it Take to Recover From a Revision Rhinoplasty?

For revision rhinoplasty patients or patients who previously experienced significant nasal trauma, the recovery period may be a little longer than a primary rhinoplasty. Still, a vast majority will be able to see optimal results 18 months post-surgery.

Expect around 80 percent of post-surgical swelling to be resolved within two weeks of surgery. While there may be some days where the tip or the dome of the nose may look a little more swollen, you will be able to enjoy the general shape and form of the nose you want within two months of the procedure.

Are There Any Risks or Complications Associated With Revision Rhinoplasty?

Dr. Maas is an expert in revision rhinoplasty, so the risk of serious complications is low. However, as with any surgery, there are risks associated with the procedure. Some risks include blood vessels bursting, excessive scarring, delayed healing, asymmetry or the need for additional surgery.

Is Revision Rhinoplasty Painful?

Revision rhinoplasty is often less painful than an initial rhinoplasty. If there is any pain experienced post-surgery, over-the-counter pain relievers should be sufficient to mitigate the discomfort.

What Is the Youngest Age You Can Be to Have Revision Rhinoplasty?

Patients should wait until they’re at least the age of 14 or 15 to have a rhinoplasty, or at least until the nose has fully grown. Younger patients need to wait just as long as adults (one year) if they’re considering a revision rhinoplasty.