Having a failed rhinoplasty is a blow to your ego, pocketbook and schedule. You had a nose you did not like and really wanted to see a big improvement on your face. But, your appearance is no better and in some cases, made worse. Plus, you’re out the cost of the nose job.
Estimates vary, but anywhere from 15 to 25 percent of first rhinoplasties leave patients unhappy. It’s because the nose job is the most difficult facial plastic surgery to learn and master.
For starters, have a more experienced surgeon check the inside of your nose to make sure your breathing is normal. In many failed rhinoplasties, an inexperienced surgeon has removed too much nasal cartilage and creates one of two things, if not both: a delicate nose in danger of collapse or breathing problems.
You probably know by now that a procedure — revision rhinoplasty — exists and has been designed and performed by Master Surgeons who have been trained to provide a nice cosmetic outcome with healthy breathing. But what signs might you notice in yourself that you are partially or completely ready to go through the whole nose job revision process again?
Here are some common signs: While surfing the Internet, you probably linger on websites dedicated to revision rhinoplasty. That can be a good thing because some Master Rhinoplasty surgeons routinely operate on noses which have had two, three or four past unsuccessful surgeries. The more you read and learn, the better prepared you will be.
Another sign: you dislike mirrors and avoid them whenever possible. Don’t worry, though. Once your nose fits your face, flatters your profile and easily passes air onto your lungs, you won’t mind reflections as much.
Have you read any books about revision rhinoplasty and nose reshaping? Might be a good time to start. May we recommend our own? Its title is “Secrets of a Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgeon.” The book tells you everything you need to know and then some. Plus, you’ll find workbook pages in which you can write and take notes while visiting revision rhinoplasty surgeons. There are even places where you give the book to the surgeon so he or she can draw where incisions go.
The top predictive (and positive!) step is actually visiting a revision rhinoplasty surgeon you have checked out on the Internet. Try and find a surgeon who has 20 years experience and performs revision rhinoplasty at least weekly. Hold your final judgement until you look through all of the surgeon’s before and after rhinoplasty pictures. If you’re in the right office there should be hundreds.
Have you read so much about revision rhinoplasty, you can recite to others the risks and possible complications that are involved in the procedure?
Finally, do you have an idea who is going to drive you to the surgery and take you home afterwards? That same person will also spend the night of the surgery with you and probably take you back to the surgeon for a quick check the next morning.
If you’ve answered yes to all the above, you will soon have an appealing nose, provided you’ve done all your homework.