Can Another Revision Rhinoplasty Make My Nose Less Bulbous?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am based in Canada and my background is Indian. I have thick skin and my original nose was wide AND long! I’ve had 3 surgeries (Primary in India and two revisions in Canada) but the result is still bulby looking, the tip still long. I was wondering if you are comfortable operating on patients with thick skin, and with previous surgeries. (revision rhinoplasty)

A: Thank you for your inquiry and detailing your rhinoplasty surgery history. The question is to whether any surgeon (myself or anyone else) feels comfortable performing revisional rhinoplasty surgery but whether they feel they can make a difference and justify the putting the patient through a 4th rhinoplasty. Admittedly a thick skinned nose that has had 3 rhinoplasties, all in an effort to make it shorter and thinner but without great success, does not bode well for any further surgery finally making the ‘big difference’. But that basic issue aside, I could provide a more qualified opinion by seeing some nose pictures, and as best as you can recall, having some information as to what did they do in the last two surgeries to try and make it better?

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana