How Long Until I See My Final Revision Rhinoplasty Results?

As with primary rhinoplasty, it will take time to see your final revision rhinoplasty results. While initial changes will be evident, subtler adjustments will take time to reveal themselves. Once all healing is complete and swelling has fully resolved, you will be able to see your final results.

Is Revision Rhinoplasty Painful?

Revision rhinoplasty is not painful, since anesthesia is administered before the procedure. Once secondary rhinoplasty is complete and the anesthesia has worn off, there may be a degree of pain and discomfort in the area. Over-the-counter or prescribed painkillers can effectively reduce these feelings until they fade on their own.

How Soon Can I Exercise Again After Revision Rhinoplasty?

You will need to wait at least three to four weeks before resuming light cardio exercises after revision rhinoplasty. After five to six weeks of recovery, you will be able to resume low-impact exercise at the gym slowly. After this time, you can likely resume your normal exercise routine, provided you avoid anything that could potentially cause nasal trauma.

Revision Rhinoplasty

In Ottawa

Revision Rhinoplasty

Introduction

Revision rhinoplasty is designed for patients who remain unhappy with the appearance or function of their nose following a previous rhinoplasty procedure. Whether your concerns involve breathing difficulties, asymmetry, or aesthetic changes that did not meet your expectations, revision rhinoplasty can address these issues through a personalized surgical approach. Dr. Nicholas Cormier is a revision rhinoplasty expert at Ottawa Plastic Surgery. Dr. Cormier develops individualized treatment plans based on each patient’s anatomy and goals to achieve a natural and refined appearance. If you need revision rhinoplasty, call (613) 792-4137 to schedule your consultation with one of our expert surgeons.

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What Is Revision Rhinoplasty?

Revision rhinoplasty, also called secondary rhinoplasty, is a corrective nasal plastic surgery procedure. It is performed to fix aesthetic and functional issues that occurred during or after the initial rhinoplasty surgery (also called primary rhinoplasty).

Immediately after primary rhinoplasty, patients may notice certain issues, including asymmetries. However, these may be due to post-surgical swelling, which can temporarily visually distort minor aspects of the nose. It is typically recommended to wait at least one year after primary rhinoplasty before considering revision surgery, as this allows swelling to resolve fully and the final results of the initial procedure to become apparent.

The problems that revision rhinoplasty corrects are often due to cartilage under-reduction or over-reduction, scar formation or contracture, or asymmetric healing.

Revision rhinoplasty is quite complex. In many cases, the surgeon must take a weakened nasal architecture into account, along with unexpected scar-tissue formation. As with primary rhinoplasty, it may involve changes to the bone, cartilage, and/or soft tissue of the nose.

Because primary rhinoplasty can lead to weakness in areas of the nose, patients may require placement of a supportive graft during secondary nasal surgery. These grafts are typically created using cartilage harvested from the patient’s rib, ear, or septum. Once harvested, the tissue is shaped to meet the needs of the patient.

Which Issues Can Revision Rhinoplasty Fix?

Revision rhinoplasty can fix a wide variety of aesthetic issues for Ottawa patients, including:

Inverted-V Deformity (an upside-down-V-shaped collapse of the nasal bridge)
Pollybeak Deformity (fullness in the area before the tip)
Over-Rotated, Under-Rotated, or Pinched Nasal Tip
Crooked Nose
Hanging Columella
Tip Asymmetry
Nostril Asymmetry

It can also be performed to address functional issues like breathing problems due to unintended changes in the nasal architecture. Breathing problems can result from issues like nasal valve collapse and septal perforation.

First steps of a Revision Rhinoplasty

How to Begin Your Revision Rhinoplasty Journey

During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss your concerns following your previous rhinoplasty, evaluate your nasal anatomy, and determine whether revision rhinoplasty is the appropriate solution for your needs. Your medical history, current medications, and previous nasal surgery will all be reviewed to help guide your treatment plan.

If revision rhinoplasty is recommended, your surgeon will explain the proposed surgical approach, discuss the expected results, answer your questions, and develop a personalized treatment plan based on your anatomy and goals. Once your surgical plan has been finalized, our team will help you schedule your procedure and provide detailed pre-operative instructions.

Preparing for Revision Rhinoplasty

To prepare for your revision rhinoplasty procedure at Ottawa Plastic Surgery, you will need to avoid smoking for several weeks. Smoking damages the health of a person’s skin, and because of this, it can negatively impact the healing process and result in a number of complications.

You will also need to avoid taking NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), since these can result in increased bleeding and bruising. Alcohol can also cause these issues and must be avoided for at least 48 hours before surgery.

You will need to arrange in advance for a ride home from a friend or a family member after the surgery. Additionally, you will need to contact your employer to arrange for time off from work to rest and recover.

The Revision Rhinoplasty Procedure

Revision rhinoplasty typically takes more time to perform than primary rhinoplasty, since the changes are usually subtler and require a higher degree of precision. Revision rhinoplasty can take anywhere from two to four hours to perform, depending on the specific changes being made.

At the start, anesthesia is administered to ensure patient comfort. The plastic surgeon creates incisions, which may either be made inside the nostrils (closed rhinoplasty) or on the columella (open rhinoplasty). During revision surgery, plastic surgeons will use the existing incision locations whenever possible.

Once the incisions have been created, the plastic surgeon makes the necessary corrections to the cartilage, bone, and soft tissue of the nose. They then close the incisions with sutures and dress them appropriately.

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Recovery After Revision Rhinoplasty

Recovery following revision rhinoplasty is similar to recovery after primary rhinoplasty, although healing may take longer depending on the complexity of the procedure. Swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort are expected during the early stages of recovery. Keeping your head elevated, following your post-operative instructions, and attending all scheduled follow-up appointments will help support proper healing and optimize your results.

A degree of bleeding in the nostrils is normal during the first three days. There will be swelling and bruising, but these will fade during the course of your recovery period. Keeping your head elevated at all times, even overnight, is recommended to control swelling. Applying a cold compress is also helpful for encouraging this process.

You will need to take antibiotics and pain-control medication as prescribed. You will need to avoid blowing your nose for two to three weeks, or until your surgeon advises it is safe to do so, since the tissues will still be healing.

Take time off from work, and avoid physically taxing activities for several weeks. It will be best to avoid anything that could cause nasal injuries, including sports, for six to eight weeks.

Follow-up appointments will be necessary to check on the status of your healing process. During these appointments, your plastic surgeon will remove sutures, splints, casts, and packing from your nose as needed. They will also address any issues and clear you to return to various activities.

Revision Rhinoplasty Cost

The Cost of Revision Rhinoplasty in Ottawa, Canada

The cost of revision rhinoplasty in Ottawa varies depending on the complexity of the procedure, the surgical techniques required, operating time, and anesthesia fees. Your surgeon will provide a personalized estimate during your consultation after developing your treatment plan.

If your revision rhinoplasty is being performed to address functional issues, you may receive partial coverage from your health insurance provider. Contact your provider to find out more.

Financing for secondary rhinoplasty and our other procedures is available through Beautifi and Credit Medical & Medicard. These medical financing companies offer a variety of payment plans.

Flexible Financing Options

Ottawa Plastic Surgery: Your Perfect Choice for Revision Rhinoplasty

Our board-certified plastic surgeons have extensive experience performing both aesthetic and reconstructive nasal surgery, including complex revision rhinoplasty procedures. Every treatment plan is personalized to address each patient’s concerns while preserving or restoring both appearance and nasal function.

Dr. Howard Silverman, Dr. Kirsty Boyd, Dr. Simon Frank, and Dr. Nicholas Cormier are here to help patients address their aesthetic and reconstructive concerns. Our providers are fluent in languages like French, Mandarin, Russian, and Czech, allowing them to communicate with patients from several different cultures easily.

Revision Rhinoplasty FAQs

You will need to wait at least three to four weeks before resuming light cardio exercises after revision rhinoplasty. After five to six weeks of recovery, you will be able to resume low-impact exercise at the gym slowly. After this time, you can likely resume your normal exercise routine, provided you avoid anything that could potentially cause nasal trauma.

Contact Us

Schedule a consultation at our Ottawa clinic to find out more about revision rhinoplasty. Call (613) 792-4137 to arrange an appointment with one of our expert plastic surgeons, who will design the ideal surgical plan to address your goals.