Revision Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty, or a nose job, is a life-altering surgical procedure that allows you to change the size, shape and overall appearance of your nose to better complement your facial features. But unfortunately, some patients find themselves dissatisfied with the outcome of their primary rhinoplasty procedure. At Escobar MD Facial Plastic Surgery, expert facial plastic surgeon Dr. Paulo A. Escobar can help you to bring your aesthetic vision to life with revision rhinoplasty surgery. With years of experience performing revision rhinoplasty, Dr. Paulo A. Escobar has the expertise you need to get the beautiful and natural results you deserve.

What is Revision Rhinoplasty?

Revision rhinoplasty, sometimes called secondary rhinoplasty, is a type of nose surgery designed to correct any mistakes or imperfections from your primary rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty is widely considered to be one of the most challenging types of facial plastic surgery due to the complex structure of the nose. As a result, undergoing rhinoplasty with an underqualified or inexperienced surgeon can result in unsatisfactory outcomes. Even with a qualified plastic surgeon, it is not always possible to control the results of a rhinoplasty procedure.

Much like primary rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty is a highly personalized procedure. Experienced revision rhinoplasty surgeons such as Dr. Paulo A. Escobar are experts at identifying the features of your nose that are causing your concerns and will create a specific surgical plan to address these problems. However, revision rhinoplasty does have its limitations, and even the most skilled surgeon cannot guarantee a revision will solve all of your issues. That is why it’s essential to schedule an in-person consultation with Dr. Paulo A. Escobar to determine if revision rhinoplasty is right for you and your needs. 

Who is
a candidate for Revision Rhinoplasty?

In general, patients who have undergone primary rhinoplasty surgery and achieved results that did not match their desired outcomes are good candidates for revision rhinoplasty. Revision rhinoplasty can be performed on those who have had one or multiple previous rhinoplasty procedures. Revision surgery can be performed to correct a wide range of imperfections, including:

  • Nasal asymmetry or crookedness
  • Breathing issues
  • Excessive scar tissue
  • Misshapen or overcorrected nose tip
  • Poorly shaped or sized nostrils
  • A nose that appears too thin or pinched
  • Deviated septum

If you are interested in revision rhinoplasty, you must wait at least one year following your original procedure before scheduling your next nose surgery. The nose needs sufficient time to recover before your next surgical procedure, and your initial results may change over time as any residual swelling subsides. If, after this time, you feel as though you still want to make changes, a revision rhinoplasty can be pursued.

How is Revision Rhinoplasty Performed?

In most cases, revision rhinoplasty is a much more complicated procedure than primary rhinoplasty.

It requires a highly-skilled and experienced surgeon who can improve both the appearance and function of a botched nose job. During your initial consultation at his office in Bogota, Colombia, Dr. Paulo A. Escobar will perform a meticulous diagnosis of your unique case, going over your surgical history and nasal function with specialized tests. Based on your needs, Dr. Paulo A. Escobar will recommend which surgical approach and technique will best resolve your concerns.

During your revision rhinoplasty surgery, you will first be numbed with local or general anesthesia depending on the requirements of your surgical technique and your personal preference. Similar to traditional rhinoplasty, Dr. Paulo A. Escobar limits his incisions to the internal structure of the nose, also known as closed rhinoplasty, to make the necessary changes and avoid any external scarring. Closed rhinoplasty techniques are also less invasive and require less downtime for recovery.

In some cases, the defects of the functional and structural frames of the nose require the use of your own cartilage grafts to create your desired results. Cartilage grafts are used if too much tissue was removed from your nose after your prior rhinoplasty procedure. Dr. Paulo A. Escobar prefers to obtain cartilage grafts from your ear cartilage to reconstruct your nose rather than from rib cartilage, septum cartilage or bone grafts.

After your Revision Rhinoplasty

Your recovery after your revision procedure will be similar to your initial recovery process after your primary rhinoplasty. Dr. Paulo A. Escobar’s closed revision techniques do not require nasal packing, and most patients will make a full recovery after about two weeks of downtime. After two weeks, you should feel comfortable returning to work and normal daily activities. While residual swelling will take several months to dissipate, your revision results will start to become visible once your immediate side effects such as bruising, congestion and initial swelling begins to subside.

Your Revision Rhinoplasty Results

As with primary rhinoplasty, the final results of your revision rhinoplasty will take six to 18 months or more in some cases to fully develop. Dr. Paulo A. Escobar will work with you closely during this time and follow-up on your case regularly to ensure you are healing properly, and complications are avoided. Once you have completely healed and all swelling has subsided, you can expect to enjoy your proportional and natural-looking new nose well into the future.

To discover more about revision rhinoplasty and whether it is the right option for you, call the office of Escobar MD Facial Plastic Surgery today at +57 1 381 95 58 to schedule your initial consultation.