As revision rhinoplasty surgeons in Chicago, Dr. Thomas Mustoe and Dr. Sammy Sinno often see people who unfortunately did not receive the best results from a previous rhinoplasty surgeon. One of the most complex facial plastic surgery procedures, revision rhinoplasty gives you the opportunity to correct unsatisfactory results and achieve the nose you originally envisioned. But how often is this necessary, and how likely is it that you will need a revision after your first nose job?
Read on to learn more about what causes the need for revision surgery, how many people opt for a revision, and what your plastic surgeon can do to make sure you enjoy your best results the first time around.
What Are the Most Common Reasons for Revision Rhinoplasty?
People typically choose revision rhinoplasty because they aren’t satisfied with the results of a previous nose surgery. If you took off your post-op splint to reveal a nose you did not love, there a few likely reasons, including:
- Over-resection (removing too much tissue)
- Under-resection (not removing enough tissue)
- New or unresolved breathing issues
- Excess scar tissue
- Asymmetry or crookedness
If you are pursuing a revision and have access to the records from your previous rhinoplasty, it will be helpful to bring them with you to your revision consultation. The records give your surgeon a bit more insight into what occurred during the surgery and what the original treatment plan entailed.
How Many People Get Revision Rhinoplasties?
One study found an average revision rate of 9.8%. In another survey of plastic surgeons, the majority of surgeons reported a revision was necessary in 0% to 5% of cases. With 352,555 rhinoplasties performed in the U.S. in 2020 (American Society of Plastic Surgeons), an estimated 17,627 and 34,550 people likely opted for a revision last year.
Ultimately, your likelihood of needing a revision is relatively low, but there is a small chance you may need additional surgery. Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno sometimes even see candidates who have had multiple unsatisfactory surgeries done by other surgeons.
How Can Your Surgeon Prevent the Need for a Revision Rhinoplasty?
Achieving ideal rhinoplasty results during your first surgery is often a matter of choosing the right surgeon. An experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon and rhinoplasty specialist will take several steps to keep your likelihood of a revision low, including:
- Having an open discussion during your consultation. Excellent results begin with trust between you and your surgeon. You should feel comfortable sharing your goals, expectations, and even fears to make sure you and your surgeon are on the same page.
- Predicting your results with computer imaging. Your surgeon may use tools such as VECTRA® 3-D imaging or TouchMD to help you visualize your procedure and predicted results. Learn more about our consultation process in this previous blog post.
- Paying careful attention to wound healing. Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno specialize in techniques that limit trauma to the nose, meaning minimal scarring with the added bonus of a quicker recovery overall.
If you do end up requiring a revision, you will want to do plenty of research before choosing a revision surgeon. Revision rhinoplasty is a famously difficult and complex procedure to perform, so you will need a surgeon who has extensive experience and a trusted reputation for achieving exceptional results.
One of the best ways to start your research is by looking through online photo galleries. To see examples of the results our surgeons have created, please visit Dr. Mustoe’s before-and-after photo gallery and Dr. Sinno’s before-and-after photo gallery.
To learn more about how to choose the best rhinoplasty surgeon or what to do next if you feel you need a revision, please contact us online or call our Chicago plastic surgery practice at (312) 788-2560.
Leave a Reply