According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), nearly 1.6 million cosmetic surgical procedures were performed in 2012. Rhinoplasty, otherwise known as nose reshaping or a nose job, held its standing as the second most popular among plastic surgery procedures with 243,000 performed. With so many nose jobs performed each year there are bound to be a certain number that require revision. The national average for procedures that require revision rhinoplasty is approximately 15%, where ours is less than 5%. This means every year about 36,500 patients undergo corrective rhinoplasty. Many people are surprised at how common revision rhinoplasty really is.
Rhinoplasty is an extremely complex surgical procedure. Not only is the nose reshaped to look better, but it is also important that the surgeon be aware of how the nose functions. Any alterations in the structure have the potential to deeply impact the way a person breathes. It is best to choose a surgeon, like Dr. Rubinstein, who is able to perform functional surgery on the nose to address underlying issues with the septum or sinus. Be aware that even the most expert of rhinoplasty surgeons will have a revision rate, often due to unexpected complications during surgery or with healing that can arise. There are problems that may not be able to be anticipated in advance and are not revealed until after the surgery has begun. Revision rates are higher with surgeons who have little experience or use outdated techniques that do not take the overall wellbeing of the patient into consideration.
Sometimes revision is desired, not through any fault of the surgeon or due to complications, but because of the patient’s own emotions. Some people expect a complete transformation of their appearance after a cosmetic procedure. When the change is not as grand as they expected, they may feel dissatisfied. This is why chin implants or cheek augmentation may be recommended for patients trying to achieve better facial proportion. Combining cosmetic procedures has been shown to increase patient satisfaction. Other patients feel let down simply because they are not accustomed to the unfamiliar appearance they see when they look in the mirror. It can take some getting used to, so rhinoplasty patients should not jump into revision right away.
The patients who are the most likely to avoid revision rhinoplasty are those that do their homework and select a well qualified, dual board certified plastic surgeon who thoroughly evaluates your nose during consultation. It is imperative to reveal your whole medical history and any nose related issues that may have arisen over the years. Following the surgeon’s post operative instructions will also help to keep the need for revision at bay.
