
Almost twenty-five percent of all rhinoplasty patients choose to undergo primary rhinoplasty surgery again. So, if this is something you’re considering, you’re definitely not alone! When you’re thinking about getting revision rhinoplasty, it’s important to understand what makes you a good candidate for the procedure. This includes why you want to get revision rhinoplasty, in addition to other qualifications.
Are You Happy With How Your Nose Looks?
One of the most common reasons that patients choose to get secondary rhinoplasty in Miami is that they are unhappy with the results of their initial surgery. This can be something as simple as a minor bump or dent on the outside of your nose or something a little more complex like nose shapes. Maybe your nose doesn’t look the way you expected when you met with your doctor, or maybe you’ve changed your mind about what you think will look best for your face. Whatever aesthetic reasons you have for changing your nose, revision surgery can probably help.
Does Your Nose Function Correctly?
Even if you are happy with how your nose looks, you might have functional issues for wanting a secondary surgery. Many patients seek revision rhinoplasty to improve nasal function due to complications with internal cartilage grafts.. This includes things like a bent or broken nasal septum, excessive cartilage, or an internal collapse. These issues don’t necessarily block your nasal airways completely; sometimes, they only affect one side of your nose. Patients who have these issues may struggle with snoring or difficulty breathing while they exercise.
Did Something Go Wrong with Your Previous Rhinoplasty?
For some patients, nose issues are related to complications from their initial nose job. Not every patient has this experience, but it does happen. Complications from surgery occur in many different forms and in varying degrees. They can range from a slightly crooked septum to a total collapse of the internal structure. They also include things like infection or rejection of implants or grafts.
The source of these complications is almost as varied as the type. Sometimes the source is the doctor. Doctors are people, and people can make mistakes, but the odds of a mistake increase dramatically when the doctor is inexperienced or unqualified as a plastic surgical surgeon. It is definitely tempting to get your cosmetic procedures from a less qualified doctor at a discounted rate, but doing so puts your health and safety at serious risk. It also increases your risk of a botched surgery.
Your body could also be a source of issues from your primary rhinoplasty procedure. Some patients have a difficult time with their healing process from rhinoplasty surgery because their bodies don’t react well to the surgical procedure. This is most often seen when the body develops an infection or rejects an implant.
Rhinoplasty surgeons routinely use implants or grafts to shape the nose, add support to the existing cartilage, or repair damaged cartilage. The implants or grafts are sometimes rejected by the body, meaning that the new material is seen as a foreign enemy, and the body attacks it. This typically results in swelling and infection. Most of the time, surgeons have to remove the implant or graft to protect the patient.
Has Your Nose Been Injured Since Your Previous Rhinoplasty?
Broken noses are one of the most common facial injuries that occur. They can happen as a result of accidents, playing sports or physical games, and physical abuse. A broken nose that has healed improperly is one of the most common reasons that patients seek initial rhinoplasty surgery in the first place.
Getting plastic surgery on your nose doesn’t mean your nose is suddenly infallible. In fact, your nose will be even more vulnerable after the procedure until it completely heals. Regardless of whether your nose has recovered from your previous nasal surgery, it can still be damaged or injured if enough force is applied to it. During the initial recovery period, even a small bump can cause your nasal bridge or nasal structure to get messed up or heal improperly. This can affect your nose aesthetically or functionally, leading to functional concerns like breathing difficulties or an asymmetric nose which may not align with the initial outcome desired.
Such injuries may necessitate a revision procedure to correct nasal function and restore the intended appearance.
What Other Qualities Make Me a Good Candidate?
In order to be a good candidate for revision rhinoplasty, you need to be a generally healthy person, preferably a nonsmoker. If you are a smoker, you need to try quitting or reducing your tobacco usage before your surgery. Smoking can introduce additional complications into your surgery, which can cause harm to your nose and your overall health.
You also need to have realistic expectations for your revision rhinoplasty. Being unhappy with your initial procedure is perfectly fine since that’s the main reason you are interested in additional surgery. However, you also need to be aware that there are limits to what a plastic surgery surgeon can do, especially with revision rhinoplasty.
Since you have already had surgery on your nose once, the surgeon will have to contend with the aftermath of it. This includes scar tissue, any implants or grafts used, and the new ways that your nose is structured. Working around those potential obstacles is difficult and could affect how the surgeon performs your surgery. Being open and willing to work with your doctor will be very important.
It is also critical that enough time has passed since your original rhinoplasty. Most surgeons recommend that you wait at least one year before attempting surgery again. This time period allows your nose to heal completely and any scar tissue to become pliable.
Revision Rhinoplasty Consultations
Dr. Andres Bustillo is a highly skilled and best rhinoplasty revision surgeon. At least half of his patients come to see him for rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty surgery, and he performs over 300 nose surgeries every year. Dr. Bustillo is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and an excellent choice for your revision rhinoplasty procedure.
To schedule a patient consultation with Dr. Bustillo, contact his office by calling (305) 663-3380 or by sending your personal information to him via email through our Contact page.