While rhinoplasty is performed to improve the appearance or function of the nose, results cannot be guaranteed, and sometimes revision surgery is necessary. Dr. Todd Hobgood is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who’s considered one of the best revision rhinoplasty specialists in Scottsdale. About 40% of all Dr. Hobgood’s cases are revision in nature. We see patients from Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, and other Arizona cities, across the U.S., and all around the world requesting consideration for revision rhinoplasty.
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Also called secondary or tertiary rhinoplasty, this surgical procedure is designed to correct or improve the results of a previous rhinoplasty that was unsatisfactory for one reason or another. This procedure may be used to correct functional problems that affect breathing as well as cosmetic issues. While rhinoplasty is one of the most complicated cosmetic surgery procedures, secondary rhinoplasty is even more complex with a higher revision rate than other procedures. We recommend choosing a board-certified facial plastic surgeon such as Dr. Hobgood for revision rhinoplasty who has extensive experience performing this delicate surgery. Insurance companies do not cover revision rhinoplasty as it is the consequence of previous elective cosmetic surgery.
| Revision Rhinoplasty At A Glance | |
|---|---|
 Price Range: |
Varies |
 Recovery Time: |
2 to 3 Weeks |
 Average Procedure Time: |
2 to 3 Hours |
 Post-op Follow-up: |
1 Week, 3 Months, 1 Year |
 Recovery Location: |
Outpatient |
The cost of revision rhinoplasty varies widely depending on the complexity of your procedure. You will receive a cost estimate for your procedure during your consultation so you know exactly what to expect. Learn more about revision rhinoplasty pricing in our blog post.
We hope to collect all before and after photographs, as well as operative procedure notes, before completing a consultation. As we tend to see patients visiting from great distances, we will often recommend an initial phone or video consultation to maximize efficiency for both Dr. Hobgood and our valued patients.
Dr. Hobgood combines his down-to-earth, personable demeanor with an artistic eye and technical expertise honed through thousands of surgeries, including more than 1,000 facelifts. He's recognized nationally for his leadership and has been honored by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for his ongoing commitment to quality.
Meet Dr. HobgoodRevision nasal surgery may be performed due to dissatisfaction with the appearance of the nose or dissatisfaction with the function of the nose. Common issues that can develop or increase as the result of previous nasal surgery and necessitate revision surgery include improper diagnosis, unexpected healing, poor technique, or a subsequent injury to the nose. Common patient concerns include:
Choosing an experienced rhinoplasty specialist makes the need for revision nasal surgery less likely, but it is always a possibility.
Revision nasal surgery typically takes much longer than an initial procedure and may require 3 or more hours. General anesthesia or sedation with local anesthesia may be used. Surgical techniques used depend greatly on the issues that need to be addressed. Both closed and open rhinoplasty may be used during the procedure. Closed rhinoplasty means incisions are confined to the inside of the nose, although some corrections may require an open rhinoplasty, in which a small incision is made between the nostrils on the underside of the nose.
In many cases of revision surgery, additional cartilage is necessary to correct the function or appearance of the nose. If the previous surgery removed too much cartilage from the septum, Dr. Hobgood will use cartilage from the ears or even the ribs and create a cartilage graft to reshape the nose and give it the foundation and support it needs. If cartilage is taken from the ears, the incisions are placed in the crease of the ear and hidden. The cartilage harvest technique from the ear, in most cases, will not alter the appearance of the outer ear in any way.
After your surgery, Dr. Hobgood applies a dressing to the nose. Swelling and light bruising are normal, and your nose may feel stiff or sore for up to a week. We remove any stitches a few days after the surgery. Most patients are able to return to work after 1 week (once the dressing is removed). You should avoid strenuous activities, however, for 2 to 3 weeks. It’s essential to not participate in any activity for 8 weeks that may bump or injure the nose. Most swelling will fade within 2 weeks, but it can take up to 1 year for all swelling to dissipate. Read this blog post to learn more about what to expect during your recovery.
Other factors involved in your revision rhinoplasty recovery include:
Pain management: Even though most patients feel congestion rather than pain, you can use medication for the first few days to manage discomfort.
Surgical dressings: We provide instructions regarding caring for surgical dressings and nose casts; follow them closely. Dr. Hobgood will remove your bandages and nasal cast or splint at a follow-up appointment about 7 to 10 days after your surgery. Keeping your nose dry helps keep the cast secure. The cast loosens as your swelling goes down.
Incision care: Use hydrogen peroxide and an antibacterial ointment to keep the surgical area clean.
Return to work/school: You should plan on taking 7 to 10 days off from nonstrenuous work or school.
Swelling & bruising: Expect swelling and bruising to peak 3 to 4 days after surgery. You’ll notice a significant decrease in both conditions in 3 to 4 weeks.
Go out in public: Even though each person’s comfort level differs, most patients feel ready to go out in public in about 2 weeks. By then, the swelling is much less noticeable.
Resume activity: In general, resuming activity after a revision rhinoplasty takes about the same time as with a primary rhinoplasty. Although everyone’s experience differs slightly, here is a typical timeline:
See results: Improvements begin to emerge about 3 to 4 weeks after surgery as swelling dissipates.
Final results: As with your primary rhinoplasty, you can expect subtle changes to continue to develop for at least one year. Swelling can flare up, but it’s typically not something to worry about. Swelling takes about 1 to 2 years to go away completely, especially in the tip.
A good candidate for this procedure is physically healthy with realistic expectations about the results of the revision surgery. The candidate is unhappy with the function or appearance of the nose after the initial nose surgery. Revision surgery cannot be performed immediately after primary surgery, as the nose requires between 6 and 12 months for all swelling to resolve.
Secondary surgery performed after an initial rhinoplasty is not covered by insurance. Even if patients develop breathing issues, only a part of the surgery would be considered for insurance coverage. Essentially, no external appearance changes are covered by insurance carriers.
If the closed or endonasal rhinoplasty technique is used, all incisions will be inside of the nose with no visible scarring. With open or external rhinoplasty, a very small incision is made under the tip of the nose. This results in a very small, fine scar that is well hidden and that fades in time.
Experiences vary after revision rhinoplasty. Typically, the recovery process is very similar to after the first procedure, although most patients find it is less painful with less bruising. Swelling is common and may take up to one year to fade completely. Bruising typically fades within 7 to 10 days. Stitches, dressing, and the splint will be removed after one week.
Most patients are able to return to work 1 week after the surgery. Strenuous activity, however, should be avoided for 2 to 3 weeks.
Up to 15% of first-time rhinoplasty procedures require revision surgery, so it’s understandable to wonder about the success rate of revision rhinoplasty. The average success rate is about 80%, but that includes all surgeons. The rate is much higher for patients who undergo revision rhinoplasty with an expert. It’s also important to have realistic expectations about the results of revision rhinoplasty.
Rhinoplasty is considered the most technically demanding plastic surgery procedure for surgeons. Revision rhinoplasty is even more complex for a number of reasons. Scar tissue develops after the initial surgery, making it more complicated to shape the nose during revision. Many cases require cartilage to be grafted and nasal structures rebuilt, which demands a level of surgical skill that is acquired only through advanced training and experience. Thorough preoperative examination and surgical planning are the keys to achieving ideal outcomes. Nearly half of the hundreds of rhinoplasty procedures Dr. Hobgood performs each year are revision cases.
