Revision Nose Surgery in Chester NJ
Revision rhinoplasty (sometimes called a revision “nose-job”, or “secondary rhinoplasty”) involves re-establishing form and function after a previous nasal surgery. This is a highly specialized area of plastic surgery requiring meticulous technique and dedicated experience. For this reason, many plastic and facial plastic surgeons will not perform revision rhinoplasty. Dr. Urban is one of the few revision rhinoplasty specialists in Northern New Jersey.
Some of the most common reasons for patients to be unhappy with their nasal appearance after a previous nasal surgery are: bulbous and undefined (or ball-shaped) nasal tip, nose is too wide, the bump on the top of the nose was never fully removed or came back after some time, notching of the ala (or nostrils) and widening of the bottom of the nose (or columella). Studies also show that ⅔ of patients who undergo revision rhinoplasty cite breathing problems as a reason for seeking revision nasal surgery.1
There is another special consideration in revision rhinoplasty. Cartilage is very important for both the nasal appearance and nasal breathing. Many patients who are unhappy with the appearance of the nose or have difficulty breathing after a nasal surgery actually had an over-resection (aka too much removal) of the nasal cartilage. In order to correct this problem with a revision rhinoplasty, the cartilage must be restored. Since the nasal cartilage was previously removed, many revision rhinoplasties require a segment of cartilage from another area such as the ear or rib. Donor cartilage may also be an option for some patients.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Urban to build a customized plan to repair your previously operated nose and achieve the nasal form and function you deserve!
1 Hacker S, Pollock J, Gubisch W, Haack S. Differences between Primary and Revision Rhinoplasty: Indications, Techniques, Grafts, and Outcomes. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2021 Sep 1;148(3):532-541. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000008216. PMID: 34270514.
Revision Rhinoplasty FAQs
Patients of any age are candidates for revision rhinoplasty as long as they are in good health.
The average revision rhinoplasty takes approximately 3 hours.
The majority of patients choose to have general anesthesia for a revision rhinoplasty, although in certain cases surgery under sedation or with numbing shots alone may be an option.
The average cost of a rhinoplasty is $15,000-$21,000.
Like primary rhinoplasty, there is usually very little nasal pain after rhinoplasty. If there is a rib or ear cartilage harvest, the patient will have some discomfort at the cartilage site which usually improves by the second or third day after surgery. Dr. Urban uses long acting “blocks” in these sites to give patients an extended period of pain relief as they recover. Patients are cleared for light activity such as extended walking and household duties a few hours after surgery. Most patients return to work/school between 7-10 days, and patients are asked to refrain from heavy activity such as weight lifting for at least 3 weeks due to the risk of a nosebleed and swelling after surgery.
The results after revision rhinoplasty are immediate, but in many patients swelling is more pronounced than the first surgery. Swelling in the nose tends to have more of an effect in the lower part of the nose and, certain refinements, particularly in the nasal tip area are often not seen for a few weeks. For this reason, Dr. Urban generally recommends undergoing revision rhinoplasty at least 8 weeks before big events. After the initial swelling improves, the nasal tip area will have periods of more subtle swelling throughout the first year. These can be triggered by diet, alcohol, allergens, weather, and heavy exercise among other causes. Many patients say the result “continues to get better” even after 1 year as the nasal skin thins and narrows over time. A good rhinoplasty surgeon will take into account these skin changes over time during the surgery. Dr. Urban’s top priority is leaving patient’s with a nose that breathes and looks great for a lifetime.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Each individual experience will vary. Please call or schedule a consultation for a personalized evaluation.