Revision Rhinoplasty

Q: Dr. Eppley, I decided to have revision rhinoplasty here locally due to having young kids and no family close by even though we had such a great meeting. I just got my cast off and I am now regretting not going with my gut instinct. I had osteotomies done and while it’s very swollen and I am very bruised, when the cast came off it appears that my nose is deviating to the side now when it was straight before. I know swelling is common and I saw a 22 year plus board certified plastic surgeon, but I was not expecting this. 

I will attach some photos. If this is cartilage shifting or needs a spreader graft is this something I need to wait 6-12 months for or if it needs resetting?  I just can’t imagine waiting that long 🙁  I am not sure if it’s better to see you in person again? 

I am so upset, and worried I have made a big mistake and will have to have to go through the cost and surgery again to have a optimal result. 

Thank you again. Please excuse the bruising in the photos.

A: At just one week after surgery it would be impossible to really know what the nasal shape outcome will be. Swelling is almost never symmetric and you remain at the point of peak swelling and bruising. While I never like to see a deviated nose when the splint comes off, this does not always mean that the final result will be so. Regardless of how you may feel about it now, the wise course of action is to allow the healing process to play out for six months after the surgery. The tissues at this point are too inflamed to allow for any predictable manipulation even if one knew a revision rhinoplasty may eventually be needed.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana