Revision Rhinoplasty

Patients come from throughout the Southeast to undergo revision rhinoplasty at the Charlotte, NC office of Dr. Sean Freeman. Dr. Freeman is certified by both the American Board of Otolaryngology (ENT) and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, so he’s especially skilled at improving both the form and function of the nose. Patients who have previously undergone a nose job and are dissatisfied with their results trust him with their complex cases.

Dr. Freeman is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Request your consultation online to receive $25 off your consultation fee or call Dr. Freeman’s office at (704) 543-1110.

Candidates for Revision Rhinoplasty- Fix your Nose Job

Revision rhinoplasty can be performed on most patients who have previously undergone a rhinoplasty procedure and are unhappy with their results. Dr. Freeman recommends that rhinoplasty patients wait for at least 1 year following their original rhinoplasty procedures to pursue revisionary surgery. This waiting period gives tough scar tissue plenty of time to dissipate, resulting in a smoother surgery and a much higher chance of a favorable outcome. Revision rhinoplasty is almost always performed using an external approach to provide the surgeon with maximum visibility.

Before Revision Rhinoplasty

At your initial consultation, Dr. Freeman will perform a physical examination of your nose in order to better understand its internal and external structure. He will also ask you to talk about your previous rhinoplasty, including your original goals and why the operation fell short of your expectations. Dr. Freeman recommends you try and obtain your operative notes from previous rhinoplasties. He also recommends you look at all of his rhinoplasty photos and bring copies of the post operative photos of noses you find desirable. 

The Procedure

Dr. Freeman performs most surgeries in the private, fully equipped surgical suite at The Center for Facial Plastic & Laser Surgery. The procedure, which is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia, can include one of several techniques, depending on the patient’s goals. Many revision rhinoplasty procedures require cartilage grafting to rebuild the tip of the nose. The cartilage used for grafting may be harvested from the patient’s ear, which should not alter the appearance of the ear, or from inside the nose from the septum. Other problems, including a nose with a twisted or asymmetrical appearance, may require other techniques depending on whether the deformity is due to misshapen cartilage or bone. For more in-depth details on this customized nose surgery, please see our Rhinoplasty Techniques page.

Most patients do not require nasal packing following a revision rhinoplasty. Moderate bruising can be present for up to 10-14 days following surgery. Numbness on the skin of the nose is also possible but temporary. Most people are able to return to their normal activities a week after a nose job. However, patients will have visible tape on their nose the second week. Depending on many factors, healing after a revision rhinoplasty takes up to 6 months to a year, but most patients notice a significant improvement in their appearance after two weeks.