Most people who undergo rhinoplasty are happy with their results and don’t need any extra procedures to enjoy their post-op nose. However, it’s possible that something may go wrong during the surgery or during the healing process, or you just might not feel satisfied with the results. You and your surgeon may have had a miscommunication about your goals, or your doctor could have made a mistake during the procedure. Even if your new nose looks the way you had originally hoped, you might realize that it’s not actually right for you.
Rhinoplasty is a big surgery, and you may feel hesitant to have a second procedure. If your surgeon made a mistake or something went wrong, you may be especially cautious of having another rhinoplasty. There are some situations where a revision rhinoplasty is definitely worth it, though. Here are six signs that you need a revision rhinoplasty, or fill hallows:
- You’re having breathing problems.
It’s normal to have some difficulty breathing immediately after rhinoplasty because the nasal passages can swell up. Breathing troubles that last even after your nose has healed are a sign of a big problem, though. Some people experience difficulty breathing because of pre-existing but undiagnosed nasal conditions, and others have breathing problems as a direct result of the surgery.
Even if you love how your nose looks, if you’re having trouble breathing, it’s important that you have the problem fixed. Going the rest of your life without breathing properly will be miserable. You’ll have trouble exercising, and your sleep quality will suffer. Your surgeon will likely be able to fix the breathing problem while mostly maintaining your desired nose shape.
- There’s an obvious dent, collapse, or cartilage shift.
If your rhinoplasty involved a cartilage graft, the cartilage may have shifted. This can cause lumps, bumps, or an overall asymmetrical look. Other dents or collapses are also important reasons to consider a revision rhinoplasty. Your surgeon may have made a mistake, or something may have happened during the healing process to cause these problems.
Issues like this may affect how your nose functions, or they may just make you feel self-conscious. You shouldn’t come out of a rhinoplasty procedure feeling more insecure about your nose than you did before. These obvious problems will be very easy for a revision rhinoplasty surgeon to identify and correct.
- Your nose looks unbalanced or asymmetrical.
Just like with bumps and dents, having an asymmetrical or unbalanced nose could be a sign that something went wrong during the surgery or during the healing period. Keep in mind that it can take an entire year for your nose to fully heal and for the final results to be visible. However, if your nose still looks asymmetrical after that time, it’s a good reason to consider revision rhinoplasty.
- Your nose has sustained an injury.
You may love your post-op nose and have no problems with functionality. Unfortunately, your new nose isn’t invincible. Noses tend to be more fragile and vulnerable after rhinoplasty, especially within the first year. Hard impacts or other trauma could still have a big impact on your nose years after the surgery, too. Your nose may have experienced some injury or trauma that was unrelated to your rhinoplasty, but a revision rhinoplasty surgeon can repair the damage and restore your nose to its ideal shape.
- You can’t stop looking at or thinking about your nose.
As you adjust to your post-op nose in the months following your surgery, it’s completely normal to look at pictures of yourself or look at yourself in the mirror more often. It might be strange to see your face look so different, and studying your nose can help you get used to it. Taking some extra time to admire it if you like the results is normal, too.
However, if you can’t get your nose off of your mind, it’s probably a sign that you’re not comfortable with it. Most people who have had rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons felt insecure about how their nose looked before. Rhinoplasty is supposed to boost your confidence and help you spend less time worrying about your appearance. If you’re thinking about it constantly or looking at it all the time, you should probably discuss revision rhinoplasty with your doctor.
- You’re still unhappy after a year.
Immediately after the surgery, your nose probably won’t look exactly the way you hoped or expected. Swelling can last for up to a year, so you’ll have to be patient while waiting to see the final results. If you’re still unhappy with how your nose looks after a year, it’s time to think about a revision rhinoplasty.
Dr. Daniel G. Becker, the founder of the Becker Rhinoplasty Center, specializes in rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty. He is the Director of the Aesthetic and Functional Rhinoplasty Course at the University of Pennsylvania, and he has been rated a Top Doc in Philadelphia Magazine since 2003. To learn more about Dr. Becker or to contact his office, you can visit his website here: https://www.therhinoplastycenter.com/
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