Revision rhinoplasty is a procedure that is performed to correct problems or complications that have resulted after a primary (first) rhinoplasty. Revision rhinoplasty is also commonly referred to as Secondary Rhinoplasty (2nd time), Tertiary Rhinoplasty (3rd time), Quaternary Rhinoplasty (4th time), and so forth.

Dr. Nicholas Vendemia performs revision rhinoplasty for women and men. He is a leading cosmetic surgeon in Los Angeles with a reputation for custom care and beautiful results. We encourage you to contact us online or give Manhattan Aesthetic Surgery a call at 917-703-7069 to schedule a visit to fly out.


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Are you considering revision rhinoplasty in Los Angeles? We offer the most innovative techniques and the quickest recovery times in the safest environment possible. Please feel free to contact us online or call our office at 917-703-7069.

What are the most common reasons for Revision Rhinoplasty?

  1. Residual dorsal hump or “Polybeak Deformity”. A left over dorsal hump is one of the most common reasons for a revision rhinoplasty. A residual hump can sometimes be quite obvious, but can also be a very subtle finding near the tip of the nose, which is called a polybeak deformity. In a polybeak deformity, a small piece of cartilage on top of the nasal septum is left in place, and this give the nose the very slight appearance of a “beak” with an ever so slightly droopy nasal tip. For a plastic surgeon who is experienced in revision rhinoplasty, this is an extremely easy problem to correct, but it does require another surgery. Many surgeons will attempt steroid injections to shrink the left over cartilage, but this method is rarely successful, and carries significant risks such as overlying skin atrophy or hypo pigmentation (light spots).
  2. Not enough tip definition. Many patients who had a rhinoplasty because they wanted a smaller, more defined tip wish that their tip was even smaller and more defined after their initial procedure. During the revision procedure, your plastic surgeon can reshape and resculpt the nasal tip cartilages to give you the result your looking for. The recovery after a revision tip rhinoplasty is much less than the recovery after the original surgery, so don’t be afraid to schedule a consultation if you’re not happy with the way your tip turned out.
  3. Bridge of nose too narrow. Sometimes the nasal bones heal too close together, and this makes the nose too narrow. The bad news is that your plastic surgeon will have to re-break the bones to correct the problem, but the good news is that your nose will look much much better after the procedure! Is is important to wait at least 6 months, and preferably 12 months, before having the bones worked on for a second time so that they are healed well enough to prevent breaking in an unpredictable way during the revision procedure.
  4. Breathing problems. If you had a rhinoplasty and/or septoplasty for breathing difficulties, you should not feel alone if you still have trouble breathing after the surgery. It is quite common for breathing problems to persist after septoplasty, and as very common for a surgical revision to be necessary. Most plastic surgeons will agree that a conservative approach during the original septoplasty is the best way to go so that the risks of losing too much cartilage are minimized. But if there is still too much cartilage in the airway after the first surgery, sometimes there is no choice but to take a bit more. Revision septal surgery requires a skilled and experienced hand, so make sure your plastic surgeon is comfortable with secondary rhinoplasty operations.
  5. Saddle deformity. A saddle deformity is an actual collapse of the bridge of the nose that can result when too much cartilage is taken during the original procedure. As discussed above in the breathing problems section, this is why most surgeons will be conservative in terms of how much cartilage they will excise the first time around. If you have a saddle nose, your plastic surgeon will have to remove a piece of cartilage from the back of your ear or from your rib cage to restore internal support to your nose, but rest assured that an experience surgeon can get you looking good, and breathing well, again.
  6. Unsatisfactory result. Sometimes there is no actual problem with the nose other than the fact that you’re just not thrilled with the result. This certainly happens from time to time, and it’s always disappointing for both the patient and the surgeon when it does. The good news is that as long as your expectations for what you want to see are realistic, most plastic surgeons can give you what you’re looking for through a revisional procedure. Don’t be afraid to discuss your result honestly with your surgeon… you should be happy with what you paid for.

Am I a candidate for Revision Rhinoplasty?

Nearly everyone who does not like their rhinoplasty outcome is a candidate for revision rhinoplasty, but the important thing to know is that the risks increase with the number of revisions you’ve had. An experienced plastic surgeon can usually get most patients through a secondary or even tertiary rhinoplasty without many problems, but even the most seasoned doctors will spend a great deal of time discussing the risks of 4th or 5th time procedures. There is a point when the risks will outweigh the benefits, and only your surgeon can tell you when this line has been crossed.


How much does Revision Rhinoplasty cost?

Revision rhinoplasty is an incredibly complex and skilled procedure, and usually the prices associated with these operations reflect that complexity. That being said, there is a tremendous variety in the price range since there are so many different reasons for having a revision rhinoplasty. Correcting relatively simple issues like a small residual hump may cost as little as $2,500, while very complex revisions like a saddle nose correction may cost as much as $20,000. The only way to get an accurate price is to schedule a consultation so Dr. Vendemia can examine your nose and determine exactly what needs to be done.


Are there financing options available?

Yes, there are several great financing options available. Many of them will offer a period of 0% interest for qualified applicants, and for many patients, the monthly payments can be as low as $100. And the best part of these financing plans is that you’ll know whether or not you qualify before you leave the office after your consultation.


To schedule a consultation please feel free to contact us online or give Manhattan Aesthetic Surgery a call at 917-703-7069.