Rhinoplasty
Revision Rhinoplasty
A second operation planned to fix what the first one left behind, structurally and for good.
- Operation time
- 3–4 hours or more
- Anaesthesia
- General
- Hospital stay
- 1 night
- Back to work
- 10–14 days
- Final result
- 12–18 months
A revision rhinoplasty is an operation on a nose that has already been operated on. Patients come because the shape did not turn out as hoped, because a good early result changed as swelling went down, or because breathing became worse. Many of them are anxious, having already been through one recovery, and the first job of the consultation is a calm and honest assessment of what can realistically be improved.
Revision is more complex than a first rhinoplasty. Scar tissue has replaced the natural planes between skin and cartilage, some cartilage has usually been removed, and the skin may be thinner or tethered. This is why Dr. Teker treats revision as a reconstruction rather than a refinement: the question is not what to take away, but what has to be put back.
Common reasons for revision
- Over-reduction. Too much of the bridge or tip was removed, leaving a scooped profile, a pinched tip or a nose that looks too short.
- Under-correction. A hump or a wide bridge is still visible, or an asymmetry remains.
- Loss of support. The tip has dropped, the side walls collapse when you breathe in, or a visible step known as an inverted V has appeared on the bridge.
- Pollybeak. Fullness above the tip that makes the profile look convex, caused by scar tissue or a residual hump.
- Breathing problems. Narrowing of the internal valve after the bridge was lowered.
Why grafts matter
Almost every revision needs cartilage. It restores the height of the bridge, supports the tip and holds the nasal valves open. Dr. Teker uses the patient’s own tissue in every case: the septum first, ear cartilage for small and flexible grafts, and rib cartilage when a strong straight framework has to be rebuilt. Rib is taken through a short incision that heals to a fine line.
Timing and expectations
Dr. Teker prefers to wait at least a year after the previous operation. Swelling in the tip continues to change for that long, and operating on a nose that is still settling means chasing a moving target. At the consultation you will hear a clear opinion, including when a revision is unlikely to help; some noses are better left alone, and saying so is part of the job.
Recovery is slightly longer than after a first operation and swelling lasts longer, but the aim is the same as for any rhinoplasty: a nose that suits your face, breathes well and does not need further surgery.
Videos
Dr. Teker explains
Short videos from the channel about this procedure.
All videosRevision rhinoplasty, explained
Revision rhinoplasty surgery
In every surgical or interventional procedure, results may vary from person to person. You are advised to obtain a detailed opinion from your physician before any procedure.
How the operation is done
How the operation is done
- 01
Analysis of the previous operation
Dr. Teker examines the nose inside and out, reviews any old operation notes and photographs, and identifies what is missing: cartilage, support, symmetry or airway.
- 02
Choosing the graft source
If enough septal cartilage remains it is used first. Otherwise cartilage is taken from the ear or, for larger reconstructions, a short segment of rib.
- 03
Open approach
Revision is almost always done through the open technique so that scar tissue can be released and every structure seen directly.
- 04
Rebuilding the framework
Weak or missing cartilage is replaced with grafts that restore the bridge, support the tip and hold the nasal valves open.
- 05
Refinement and camouflage
Small irregularities are smoothed and, where the skin is thin, a thin layer of fascia or crushed cartilage evens the surface.
- 06
Closing and splint
Fine stitches close the incisions; a splint protects the nose for a week. If rib cartilage was used, a small dressing covers that site.
Recovery, step by step
Recovery, step by step
- Day 1
Similar to a first rhinoplasty, with a splint and congestion. If ear or rib cartilage was taken, that area is sore for a few days.
- Week 1
Splint and stitches removed around day 7. Bruising is often less than expected, as the bones are not always moved again.
- Weeks 2–4
Swelling settles more slowly than after a first operation because scar tissue holds fluid. You can return to work.
- Month 3
The bridge is largely final; the tip remains firm and slightly swollen. Massage or small injections may be advised for stubborn swelling.
- Months 12–18
Revision noses take longer to reach their final shape. The last softening and definition appear over the second year.
A note on risks
Revision surgery is more demanding than a first rhinoplasty because scar tissue, missing cartilage and thinner skin change how tissues heal. Besides the general risks of bleeding, infection and anaesthesia, there is a higher chance of prolonged swelling, of small asymmetries and of needing a further minor touch-up. Grafts can occasionally shift or be felt through thin skin. Dr. Teker will tell you honestly if a revision is unlikely to improve your nose, because not operating is sometimes the right advice.
FAQ
Questions patients ask
How long should I wait after my first rhinoplasty?
Usually at least 12 months. Swelling, especially in the tip, keeps changing for a year, and operating earlier means correcting a shape that is still moving.
Where does the cartilage for the grafts come from?
From your own body. The septum is used first when enough remains; otherwise cartilage from the ear or a small piece of rib. Rib gives the strongest support for larger rebuilds.
Can a revision fix my breathing as well?
Yes. Breathing problems after rhinoplasty usually come from a narrowed valve or a weakened side wall, and the same grafts that restore shape also restore the airway.
Will the result be final this time?
The aim of a structural revision is a stable, lasting result. No surgeon can promise perfection, but rebuilding support rather than simply removing tissue is what makes results hold.
Talk it through with Dr. Teker
Send a few photos on WhatsApp for a first assessment, or arrange a consultation at the clinic in Bakırköy.