An unsuccessful rhinoplasty can have long-term emotional consequences on an unsatisfied patient.
Feelings of insecurity, depression and embarrassment can set in as he/she stares in the mirror at an unfamiliar face.
There are times when rhinoplasty can result in an appearance that is less attractive than the original nose.
An unsuccessful surgery can be the result of bad judgement, a doctor's incompetence when it comes to technique, or even a patient's failure to stick with.
post-surgery advice.
But whatever the reason, there are ways to correct the results using revision rhinoplasty techniques.
When dealing with an outcome you're not happy with, it's important to consult with a doctor who is well-versed in corrective procedures.
The techniques used in revision surgery are vastly different from those used when operating on a virgin nose.
Following primary rhinoplasty, the tissue tends to weaken during the healing process.
This means the surgeon must find ways to rebuild the nose using faulty tissue or no tissue at all.
There may also be a lack of cartilage if too much was removed during the primary procedure.
Although grafting techniques may be used to harness cartilage from other areas of the body, revision work becomes very challenging when the surgeon does not have a clean slate to work with.
There are many cosmetic surgeons whose only experience involves primary rhinoplasty.
So when looking to correct previous surgeries, it is imperative that you seek out a doctor who is an expert in revision techniques.
During consultations, ask the surgeon which techniques will be used to correct your appearance.
Although cartilage grafting is an important pillar of revision rhinoplasty, cartilage and tissue can be created synthetically to give the doctor an endless supply of augmentation material.
Meanwhile, your nose may have developed a bump that was not there prior to primary surgery.
Some surgeons may be able to use a powered rasp to "shave down" this bump, giving your nose a more refined and smoother appearance.
A septoplasty may also be recommended to straighten out a septum that has collapsed over time.
Revision rhinoplasty typically takes far more time than primary surgery because of the added challenges.
Revision cases often require at least 5 hours of operating time - sometimes even more depending on its complexity and extent of prior damage.
Meanwhile, recovery times remain relatively the same.
Immediate bruising takes about 2 weeks to heal.
However, it can take one year or longer for swelling to completely subside and all scarring to disappear.
When looking for a qualified surgeon, ask for before-and-after photos of previous patients who have sought out revision rhinoplasty.
You will notice that the patient's nose looked great immediately following the primary procedure.
However, the true test is to observe what the nose came to look like over time.
Many surgeons say it takes at least one year for the structure to settle into its new shape.
Therefore, it is important to ask for patient photos that accurately reflect how the nose looks over a period of several years.
A good surgeon will be able to show you a running log of their clients' long-term progress.