address the underlying issues
Rhinoplasty or “nose job” is a term that refers to changes to the nose done for either cosmetic reasons, such as changing the proportion of your nose, or for medical reasons, such as reconstructive surgery or to improve your breathing. However, there are times when a less than desirable outcome occurs during a previous rhinoplasty, resulting in a nose that you are not happy with. This issue can happen for many different reasons, and your surgeon must identify and address the underlying cause. In these challenging cases, revision rhinoplasty requires a specific skill set to address the underlying issues caused by previous surgery or trauma.
Goals Of Revision Rhinoplasty
The goal of revision rhinoplasty is to correct a previous nose job that resulted in an undesirable shape, nasal disproportion, or trouble breathing properly through your nose.
Patients who have previously undergone one or more rhinoplasties and are unsatisfied with their surgery results are often ideal candidates for further surgery.
To find out whether you are a candidate for further repair, you will need to schedule a New Orleans revision rhinoplasty consultation with Dr. Melancon so she can examine you and decide together whether this is a good option for you. Call or email Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery to set up your appointment.
Since your previous rhinoplasty results are the foundation of your revision rhinoplasty, there will be variations in the techniques that Dr. Melancon uses for your customized procedure. Generally speaking, the surgery is performed in the outpatient setting and can take anywhere from one to five hours to complete, depending on the complexity of the problem. You will be given general anesthesia in most cases, so you will not be awake for the procedure.
During the surgery, Dr. Melancon will make incisions to reposition bone, cartilage, and the septum depending on the underlying cause. In many cases, in prior surgeries, the cartilage has already been removed from your nose. If this is the case, you may need cartilage from another source to rebuild your nose. Dr. Melancon can use donor rib cartilage from a tissue bank instead of from your rib cartilage in many situations. This measure prevents an extra incision on your chest and is one less area that needs to heal. Dr. Melancon is considered a specialist in revision rhinoplasty and has dedicated years to perfecting her techniques to address even the most complex cases. Her goal is always to deliver the best revision rhinoplasty New Orleans can offer.
The First two weeks after surgery
After your surgery, there will be tenderness and swelling in the nose. It will also be difficult to breathe through your nose, which can be very bothersome for patients. While your pain should be minimal, you will have a prescription to help alleviate your symptoms should you need it.
You should plan to take at least one or two weeks off work, depending on what you do for work. You should avoid strenuous exercise until your incisions have completely healed, sometimes up to four to six weeks. Note that swelling will be present for several months, especially in revision rhinoplasty, although most of it will subside in the first two weeks after surgery.
Because this surgery corrects results from a previous rhinoplasty by restoring shape, function, or both to your nose, it’s important to be patient as your sensitive nasal tissues heal.
It can take several months to a year for swelling in your nose to completely subside and for your full results to be visible. It is imperative to have patience with yourself and the healing process and carefully follow all doctor instructions to speed up your recovery timeline as much as possible. Dr. Melancon values following her patients frequently throughout the entire recovery period until they meet their goals and are happy with their results.
Dr. Melancon is an expert facial plastic surgeon
Your nose is the most prominent part of your face, making it one of the most critical aspects of your facial symmetry. If you have had a nose job in the past, but are unhappy with the results or still experiencing difficulty breathing, then revision rhinoplasty may offer you a chance to correct these issues.
Dr. Melancon is an expert facial plastic surgeon who has completed a large portion of her training in revision rhinoplasty techniques and has contributed to medical literature on the procedure, making her one of the top surgeons for this kind of surgery in the entire country. To find out if revision rhinoplasty is right for you, contact Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery today and schedule an appointment with Dr. Melancon for your consultation.
Dr. Melancon recommends this procedure if you’re having trouble breathing through your nose or you’re unhappy with the appearance of your nose after a previous nose job. In this case, revision rhinoplasty can improve your overall satisfaction with your nose.
Patients usually report feeling tender and sore after the procedure, with mild-to-moderate discomfort. This discomfort will fade within a couple of days, but you can take pain relievers if needed.
Incisions are planned both inside and outside your nose. The majority of the incisions are inside your nose, so they are not visible. Incisions made outside the nose are made in creases or along the bottom of your nose between the nostrils. These incisions are quite small and heal very nicely in the vast majority of people. After a few months, the scars will fade even further, making them nearly invisible.
The exact cost of revision rhinoplasty varies between patients due to individual needs and desired outcomes. If you don’t have insurance or choose revision rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons, you will need to pay the costs out of pocket. In general, given the increased complexity of revision rhinoplasty, the cost of the procedure can be slightly higher than your first rhinoplasty. If you don’t have insurance or choose revision rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons, you will need to pay the costs out of pocket. If you need financing options, make sure to ask during your consultation.
At Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery, we know one of the most challenging parts of this process is the first step. We are a welcoming, restful place for you to come and learn about all the ways you can live life to the fullest and be the most beautiful you. Call or click to schedule a consultation to learn how you can breathe easy at Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery.
Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery
6001 Magazine Street, Ste D, New Orleans LA 70118
Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery - Northshore Location 1090 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville LA 70471