While many rhinoplasty patients undergo surgery with satisfactory results, others may not be pleased with how the nose appears once the feature has fully healed. Dr. Rubinstein, Chevy Chase-area facial plastic surgeon, caters to numerous patients who have requested revision rhinoplasty. The following information details some of the reasons patients may choose to undergo a second nose surgery.
The many tissues in the nose may lead to unpredictable healing.
The nose is composed of bone, cartilage, blood vessels, and the overlying skin. These numerous componentsmay all recover at different speeds, which can cause a healed nose to appear asymmetrical. Scar tissue is one complication that can result from the healing process.
An inexperienced surgeon may have been too conservative or overzealous in tissue removal, leading to an unsatisfactory final result.
Often times, plastic surgeons will practice as generalists, operating on both face and body. These doctors may not have the specific training and particular patient base to expertly perform facial plastics. Dr. Rubinstein is an expert in facial cosmetic surgery, and has dedicated much of his practice to surgery of the nose.
The patient may have interfered with the surgical outcome through injury or manipulation of the nose while its components were still pliable.
In the same way other parts of the body are sensitive and vulnerable to disruption following a surgery, the nose must be protected following rhinoplasty. A nasal cast is worn for the first week, and the doctor will advise against contact sports for several weeks postoperatively. Dr. Rubinstein will give other instructions including refraining from blowing the nose for the first two weeks, and avoiding contact with or touching the mid-face.
There was a miscommunication between patient and doctor.
The consultation serves as the platform for prospective patients to communicate their aesthetic goals to Dr. Rubinstein. They may bring in pictures of celebrities or other noses they find attractive, or pictures of themselves prior to an accident or disease that compromised the feature. Dr. Rubinstein may explain limitations, request a medical work-up, and use computer imaging software to display potential results of a nose surgery.
Some doctors are not as thorough in their approach to cosmetic nose surgery. They may not listen to a patient’s wishes, or have neglected to ask the appropriate questions to form a blueprint for the surgery. In the same way a doctor may not offer open communication, patients can also be inarticulate, or hold back from explaining their desires.
A septoplasty did not repair a deviated septum.
Septoplasty, also called functional rhinoplasty, is a surgery of the nose performed out of medical necessity. When the material dividing the nose does not separate the nasal passageways equally, a septoplasty can treat issues associated with irregular breathing patterns through the nose. If an initial septum repair surgery proved unsuccessful, a second procedure may be warranted.
Dr. Ran Y. Rubinstein has been in practice in the Hudson Valley for more than 14 years and specializes in facial plastic surgery, nasal, and sinus disorders. He combines his medical and surgical expertise for a holistic approach to patient care. Dr. Rubinstein holds dual board-certification from the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. He is an Assistant Professor at New York Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.
Contact the doctor’s New York office at (845) 863-1772 to schedule a consultation, complete with the Canfield VECTRA 3D imaging system, a state-of-the-art system that provides patients with 3D images of surgical results.
