Revision Rhinoplasty Before & After

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Are you a candidate for revision rhinoplasty?

For those who have chosen to have a previous rhinoplasty procedure, a cosmetic surgery that can alter the shape, size, and appearance of the nose, the results may have turned out more or less than expected. Since, in the nose, even small changes can be subtly dramatic, there are many opportunities to negatively impact the overall balance of the result. When a Rhinoplasty is performed correctly, even a subtle adjustment to the nose can drastically change self-perception for the better. Any patient that is dissatisfied with the outcome of a prior procedure is therefore a candidate.

However, not all nose surgeries end in success stories. Unfortunately, on average, about five to ten percent of individuals who have undergone a rhinoplasty suffer from poor results or complications following the operation. Many of these patients were treated by physicians who do not specialize in Rhinoplasty. When this occurs, a corrective surgical procedure, called a revision rhinoplasty, may be recommended to address aesthetic, functional and/or medical concerns. New York double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Westreich suggests you consider NYC revision rhinoplasty if you have or are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Restricted breathing, nasal obstruction or a functional problem following your initial rhinoplasty
  • An injury to the nose sustained during the surgical recovery period
  • Dissatisfaction with the final appearance of your nose after it has healed
  • Problems with the nasal tip, such as contour asymmetry, alar collapse, over or under projection or tip deviation
  • Irregularities in the bridge and central nose due to the removal of too much bone or cartilage or, conversely, the failure to remove enough of either.
  • Uncorrected problems, such as a persistent bump that was not adequately improved
  • Unnatural-looking results that create an aesthetic imbalance.

For those seeking an aesthetic improvement after a primary rhinoplasty procedure, it is also important to remember that the nose will continue to change as it heals. It can take months for the nose to completely settle into its new form, thus a revision nose surgery should not be scheduled before the nose has thoroughly healed – usually 12-18 months post-procedure.

Ideal candidates for a revision nose job are looking to improve the results of previous rhinoplasty surgery and have realistic expectations of what the procedure can accomplish. In the case of revision rhinoplasty, it is necessary to build a good rapport with the right surgeon to ensure that your goals can be met. Dr. Westreich recognizes the importance of communication with the patient, and understands the delicateness of the situation.

Because a precise assessment of the problem or nasal deformity is necessary, revision rhinoplasty is an extremely difficult procedure to perform. In his NYC practice, Dr. Westreich focuses solely on aesthetic facial and reconstructive surgery, making him highly experienced in rhinoplasty procedures. Dr. Westreich has the expertise to identify correctable defects, as well as has the surgical skill to fix them.

As a rhinoplasty specialist, Dr. Westreich has pioneered new methods to use in nose job surgeries. For example, Dr. Westreich’s expertise in closed nasal surgery allows him to perform 99% of his revisions using the closed approach, even if the prior surgery was done open. He performs many revision nose surgeries, from subtle to extensive. In order to perform revision Rhinoplasty surgery, a surgeon must have extensive experience in nose surgery and Dr. Westreich has performed many many nasal procedures over the course of his career.

Dr. Westreich will occasionally opt to use dermal fillers to correct minor irregularities in a previously performed rhinoplasty. Sometimes this is used as the primary treatment, while other times, it is used to show the patient how a result will appear after surgery.

He frequently publishes articles, making him well informed about the current trends and the latest advancements in the field of nose surgery.

If you are in NYC and are not content with the outcome of your primary rhinoplasty procedure, contact us at our New York office for a consultation. Dr. Westreich can review your case and determine if you are an ideal candidate for revision rhinoplasty.

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Recovering After a Revision Rhinoplasty

As with a primary Rhinoplasty, secondary surgery carries some risks, but patients generally do not experience serious complications. Swelling and bruising is normal, which can last for a few weeks. The overall recovery may be longer in revision surgery, as the tissues have now been manipulated twice. Also, if the grafting of tissue was involved, which is often the case, it may take some additional time for the shape to settle in. Dr. Westreich will advise on the best way to manage your recovery after your secondary rhinoplasty.

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I went to Dr. Westreich for a revision rhinoplasty, all the way from Toronto, Canada. I am nearly 5 months post op, and have to say I am beyond obsessed with my results. Not only did the doctor do exactly what I envisioned, but I managed to come out with hardly any swelling (which was nothing like my first rhinoplasty with a different surgeon). Dr. Westreich is an amazing doctor with a true gift, great personality, and excellent bedside mannerism.

Taylor

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Revision Rhinoplasty Consultation with Dr. Westreich, NYC

As a facial plastic surgeon experienced in rhinoplasty, Dr. Westreich regularly performs revision rhinoplasty on patients that have had a previous nasal operation and are not satisfied with the outcome. During your consultation, Dr. Westreich will review the best options for your individual case to achieve a more refined nasal shape based on your personal specifications. When coming to see Dr. Westreich for a revision rhinoplasty consultation, it is suggested that you bring documentation (operative reports or before-after photos) from your previous surgery for his reference.

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Revision Rhinoplasty FAQ

What is revision rhinoplasty?

What problems do revision rhinoplasty address?

What happens during the rhinoplasty surgery?

Where are the incisions made and will there be scarring?

What is the recovery period following a revision rhinoplasty?

What are the risks associated with revision rhinoplasty?

How much does revision rhinoplasty cost?

What is revision rhinoplasty?

Revision rhinoplasty, or a revision nose job, is a surgery performed to correct problems resulting from a previous rhinoplasty procedure. Dr. Richard Westreich, a facial plastic surgeon specializes in revision rhinoplasty at his Manhattan office in NYC.

What problems do revision rhinoplasty address?

Individuals may choose to undergo a revision rhinoplasty to modify an aesthetic concern or to correct a functional problem. In some cases, an individual may want to address both the appearance of the nose and a structural issue. An individual may be dissatisfied with the aesthetic outcome of the primary surgery for a variety of reasons, such as asymmetry or abnormal scarring. Functional problems can include the restriction of proper breathing, possibly resulting from the removal of too much cartilage in the first surgery.

What happens during the rhinoplasty surgery?

After the general anesthesia is administered, Dr. Westreich will make incisions in the nose so that he can reshape and restructure the bone and cartilage. Once he has completed the corrective reshaping, Dr. Westreich will close the incisions with sutures and place a splint outside the nose. A revision rhinoplasty generally takes about 3 hours to perform. However, the procedure time may vary, depending on the nature and complexity of the problem that Dr. Westreich is correcting.

Where are the incisions made and will there be scarring?

The two techniques that are used for revision rhinoplasty are referred to as “closed” and “open” rhinoplasty. In closed rhinoplasty, incisions are confined to the inside of the nose, resulting in no visible scarring. In an open rhinoplasty procedure, an additional small incision is made under the tip of the nose, which will leave a very fine, light scar that is typically very hard to detect, even if you know it is there.

What is the recovery period following a revision rhinoplasty?

Performed as an outpatient procedure, revision rhinoplasty does not require a hospital stay. Patients should arrange for somebody to accompany them home. In addition, it is highly recommended to make plans for somebody to stay with them for the first 24 hours following the procedure. Patients can expect some minor bruising and swelling for a few days following the surgery. Generally speaking, revision rhinoplasty tends to cause minimal post surgical discomfort, which can be alleviated with prescription medication. Dr. Westreich also injects a numbing medication, Exparel, which provides comfort for 3 days. Within a week, the dressings and splints can be removed.

What are the risks associated with revision rhinoplasty?

As with all surgical procedures, there are some risks and complications associated with revision rhinoplasty, which can include problems with the anesthesia, bleeding, scarring, and prolonged swelling. Before proceeding with surgery, Dr. Westreich will thoroughly review the possible complications.

How much does revision rhinoplasty cost?

The cost of a revision nose surgery will depend on the problem and the extent of the surgery. If the revision rhinoplasty involves a functional correction, insurance may pay for a portion of the procedure.

If you are in NY and considering revision rhinoplasty, please contact us at our Upper East Side practice where New York double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Westreich will evaluate your case and recommend the best option for your revision rhinoplasty procedure.

Types of Rhinoplasty

Open Rhinoplasty

This technique typically leaves a nearly invisible scar on the columella (the skin between the nostrils) and is commonly used for Rhinoplasty. The same surgery can be performed through both open and closed approaches. Due to his expertise in using the closed approach, Dr. Westreich uses the Open Rhinoplasty approach only for specific technical reasons in his practice.

Closed Rhinoplasty

During a closed rhinoplasty procedure, the surgeon performs the surgery through the nostrils without visible incisions. Through the nostrils, the surgeon can modify the cartilage and bones, add grafts and sutures, and have a full view of the nasal anatomy. Dr. Westreich prefers using a Closed rhinoplasty approach for several reasons:

  • Patients often heal quicker compared to open rhinoplasty.
  • The tip-profile relationship is easier to establish and predict using a closed approach
  • The blood supply to the nasal skin is preserved using the closed approach, which can result in less scarring and thinning of the skin over time.

Non-surgical Rhinoplasty

Results obtained from non-surgical rhinoplasty last between six months and two years. The procedure requires only topical anesthesia and 15-30 minutes to complete. Patients with prior nasal surgery should be aware of an increased risk of vascular blockage using non-surgical Rhinoplasty. Certain areas of the nose also carry a higher risk of complications with filler injection.

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What is a Rhinoplasty?

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