Revision Rhinoplasty

Though all revision rhinoplasty patients recover at their own pace after nose reshaping, there are some general trends. The initial pain subsides over the course of two to three day. Swelling and discoloration may worsen after a revision rhinoplasty over the course of the same several days. It is a good idea to have someone at home to assist the patient in the immediate postoperative period. Strong pain medication will be needed in the first two weeks after revision rhinoplasty. Thereafter, normal, non-strenuous activities and work or school may be resumed. Swelling and bruising may persist for up to two months after nose reshaping surgery. Heavy exertion, and any activity, or contact sport that may result in injury should be avoided for first two post-operative months, as should sun exposure.

A minority of patients experience more discharge. This typically persists for half or a year, but may last longer.

Internal stitches are used in both open and closed revision rhinoplasty, are absorbable, and do not need removal. External sutures are used only in cases of open revision rhinoplasty. They are removed between day five and seven.

This is the technical term for combining the straightening of the partition between the two nasal cavities with nose reshaping. It is usually, but not always, done through an open revision rhinoplasty approach.

This is only partially true. Results are seen within one month, but there is still substantial swelling present. Even with this factor in play, patients notice a significant improvement in the shape of their nose. At six months, the appearance of the nose is remarkably close to what it would be after one year. At this point, only close comparison of photos would show the difference between six months, and one year. By one year, most of this swelling is gone, so that the final result is stable at one year.

Every operation leaves scars. The better question would be “Does revision rhinoplasty leave visible scars?” The answer depends on whether or not an open revision rhinoplasty was performed. A small 1/8 inch scar will be present at the base of the nose, between the nostrils. This is highly camouflaged owing to two factors. The first is a natural shadow line that separates the nose from the upper lip. The second is the fact that the area can only be visualized by looking from down up, the “lover’s, or pet dog’s position,” as it has been described. If the nose reshaping can be carried out through a closed revision rhinoplasty, all scars will be inside the nostrils, and invisible.