5 Clues You Might Need Revision Rhinoplasty

Dr. Philip Miller

February 22, 2022

Problems with your rhinoplasty procedure? Not happy with the results? Don’t lose hope—you can still achieve the look and functionality you want with revision rhinoplasty. Revision rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure to correct undesirable outcomes or treat persistent issues the original surgery did not address.

Philip Miller MD, FACS, a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, can perform successful rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty procedures in Manhattan, New York. Dr. Miller has more than two decades of experience performing surgical and non-surgical procedures and can help you reach aesthetic confidence with revision rhinoplasty.  

Why is revision rhinoplasty so common?

Revision procedures are common because the initial rhinoplasty is one of the most complex of all plastic surgery procedures. Some plastic surgeons do not have the skills, experience, and training to perform this procedure well, leading to botched surgeries and undesirable results.

The nose contains thin cartilage that requires expert handling to achieve successful cosmetic or functional outcomes. A study from the Aesthetic Surgery Journal found the average rate for revision rhinoplasty to be nearly 10%. Other factors that include increased revision rhinoplasty rates include:

• Outdated techniques or equipment
• Lack of doctor-patient communication
• Complications that impact the healing process and results

There are several common indicators that revision rhinoplasty may work for you. Take a look:

Clue #1: Your Nose is Not Symmetrical

Many patients feel their nose looks asymmetrical after rhinoplasty and that it was not adequately shaped. A poorly performed rhinoplasty procedure can result in a nose that appears uneven, disproportionate, or even off-center. Revision rhinoplasty can create a more natural, even look to compliment your entire facial structure.

After completely healing from rhinoplasty, you can assess the symmetry of your nose, and if you are unsatisfied, revision rhinoplasty may be right for you.

Clue #2: Your Results don’t Look Natural

An initial rhinoplasty procedure may have removed too much or too little tissue and can lead to an unnatural nose shape. It can also cause a build-up of scar tissue that needs to be surgically removed. Unnatural-looking noses can be resolved with revision surgery. Potential unnatural-looking results include:

• Pinched Tip: A frequent complaint where the end of the nose appears compressed and leads to unwanted aesthetics and impaired breathing. This occurs when too much cartilage is removed from the tip of the nose, diminishing support over time.
• Short Nose: Just as it sounds, a nose can appear short and stubby due to the removal of too much cartilage. Specialized grafts act as support and restore a longer, more natural-looking shape.
• Crooked Nose: Typically derived from nasal trauma or a result of an initial rhinoplasty, a crooked or twisted nose is uneven and unnatural. Revision can rearrange the cartilage and bone to create a symmetrical, pleasing look.

Dr. Miller utilizes the NatraLook® Process to ensure the most natural and pleasing results. The NatraLook Process is critical to achieving a unified vision and executing intended results. Evaluating the entire face and how features relate to each other, as well as skin quality and thickness, all play a part in creating a beautiful, natural look.

While an unsatisfactory rhinoplasty can be very upsetting to a patient who has invested time and money into the process, many issues can be resolved with revision rhinoplasty. Dr. Miller performs revision procedures in his Manhattan, New York office to restore your confidence and achieve a natural look.

Clue #3: You are Disappointed in Your Results

If doctor-patient communication was lacking, or the procedure did not go as planned, many patients can feel disappointed in the results. Skill and experience are not the same. Surgeons may know how to do some nose shapes and resizing but may not have as much experience with a broader range of requests and or techniques. Your nose should be proportional and harmonious with other facial features, which means rhinoplasty is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor.

Even if the shape is ideal, patients may find other imperfections that cause dissatisfaction. Revision rhinoplasty can refine subtle areas such as:

• Narrowing the nostrils
• Lifting the nasal tip
• Thinning or lifting the tissue that separates the nostrils
• Smoothing bumps on the surface of the nose

Revision rhinoplasty is a solution for major or minor alterations so that you feel good about your look. Dr. Miller uses his years of expertise to create patient-centric plans that result in stunning aesthetics to satisfy individual beauty goals.  

Clue #4: Your Nose isn’t Working Properly

Not only should your nose look amazing, but it should also function properly. Improper nose function can be due to rhinoplasty surgery that does not heal properly or a functional issue that was not resolved or was created from a rhinoplasty procedure. The nose is a significant structure that impacts breathing and sinus issues. Revision rhinoplasty can help you get your dream nose and optimize function to reduce or eliminate problems that can interfere with breathing and sleep.

Clue #5: An Injury Occurred Since Your First Surgery

Rhinoplasty is a superior choice for nose shaping and sizing, but it does not make your nose invincible. The nose is still susceptible to injury and trauma, especially within a year or two after surgery. Due to the restructuring of cartilage and tissue, the nose can often be more fragile. If you endure an injury or trauma to the nose, it can be repaired through revision rhinoplasty. Dr. Miller works closely with Manhattan patients to ensure cosmetic and functional concerns are addressed when trauma or injury has occurred.

How Long Should You Wait for Revision Rhinoplasty?

Healing varies by individual, but most surgeons request patients wait 12-18 months before undergoing secondary rhinoplasty surgery. The healing process is long and crucial for the nose to take its final form or function. The duration of swelling varies by patient and can cause the nose to look different than it will when completely healed. Rushing into a revision surgery is dangerous and can cause unnatural and unsatisfactory results.

Choosing Your Revision Rhinoplasty Surgeon

Plastic surgery is not a guaranteed process, but choosing an expert surgeon with years of experience and developed skills can positively impact results. Do not assume all plastic surgeons are the same—research a surgeon and their practice before committing, and do not be afraid to ask hard questions. A consultation is a time to learn more about the procedure, a surgeon’s credentials, and experience.

Dr. Miller is a highly reputable, double board-certified plastic surgeon with more than two decades of experience in cosmetic medicine. With his expert team, Dr. Miller has a high success rate of facial surgery procedures and has been voted among the Best Doctors in America for the past 10 years and Top Doctor of New York City. He uses innovative techniques for rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty that helps patients achieve their desired look and function.  

Contact us today online or by calling 646-791-3025 to see if revision rhinoplasty is right for you.

Dr. Philip Miller

Focusing exclusively on the face for more than two decades, double-board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Philip Miller blends art and science with innovation and skill to provide thousands of patients with impeccable results. He is known for pioneering the NatraLook methodology for rhinoplasty, facelifts, neck lifts, and other cosmetic procedures for the face.