November 1, 2023

How to Avoid a Botched Nose Job

Written by Dr. Smita Ramanadham. Posted in Blog.

Plastic surgery has surged in popularity in recent years, and procedures from nose jobs to facelifts to liposuction are more affordable and effective than ever.

But plastic surgery is still that – surgery- and there are always risks. One of the best ways to avoid an undesirable result, and a possible a revision rhinoplasty, is choosing a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon.

Rhinoplasty, also called a nose job, is a common cosmetic procedure that usually goes well. Some of the common issues a nose job can fix include:

Making a crooked nose straight
Reducing the size of the tip
Refining a bulbous tip
Correcting the length
Removing a bump on the bridge
Reducing the width

However, rhinoplasty is one of the most complex plastic surgeries that can sometimes be botched or not turn out as the patient wants. And while a botched rhinoplasty can be fixed with a revision rhinoplasty, it is not always easy. Rhinoplasty revision can be even more challenging than the initial procedure because of weaker internal structures and scar tissue.

If you are thinking about a nose job, remember that the nose is highly visible, so a botched rhinoplasty and a subpar outcome can be a significant problem. You can usually avoid a botched nose job if you remember the information outlined here.

Rhinoplasty Overview

Rhinoplasty is a complicated surgery in many cases that alters the size and shape of the nose with the goal to improve its appearance. The procedure also may be performed to improve one’s ability to breathe through the nose.

Plastic surgeons will tell you that the nose is a complex structure that features bone on the upper portion and cartilage on the lower part. A nose job can make changes to the bone, skin, cartilage, or all of them. A nose job is one of the most delicate and detailed cosmetic procedures, it requires a careful eye for detail.

A nose job involves either an open or closed procedure. The open procedure involves three incisions that allows the surgeon full access to the nose’s internal structures. This option is necessary when major changes need to be made.

A closed procedure uses only two incisions and offers less access to the inside of the nose. This procedure is common when less extensive changes are needed.

The surgeon will discuss the kind of nose job you need during your consultation. They’ll examine your nose and face structure and listen to the changes you want. After the examination, they’ll provide a surgical plan with an open or closed procedure to make changes.

Avoiding A Botched Nose Job

Best ways to avoid a problem with your rhinoplasty procedure include:

Select A Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Working with an inexperienced plastic surgeon may lead to complications with any cosmetic procedure. It’s more likely to lead to a poor result with a nose job. As noted above, nose jobs are complicated and the nose is highly visible, so it’s vital to choose a surgeon with skill and experience in this procedure. Failure to choose the right surgeon for your initial nose job can result in you having to seek out a revision rhinoplasty surgeon to perform a revision rhinoplasty in the future.

When conducting research, focus on surgeons who are board-certified and do rhinoplasty every month. Ask the surgeon how many procedures they’ve done in the past year, then request to see before-and-after photos.

Be concerned if the surgeon doesn’t provide you with recent rhinoplasty testimonials. If patients are happy with their nose jobs, they’ll always want to talk about it.

Communicate What You Want

A skilled and experienced rhinoplasty surgeon has worked with many patients in their career. This means they should know how to talk to patients about what they want and don’t want from their cosmetic procedure.

The surgeon should be able to tell you in detail what a nose job can and cannot do for someone with your facial and nose anatomy.

So, work hard to tell the surgeon what you expect and they’ll tell you if the expectations are reasonable. It’s important that you have reasonable expectations and the surgeon ensures that they are.

Look For Digital Imaging

A major advance in nose jobs recently is in the use of digital imaging. The surgeon and staff can take photos of your nose and face and import them into a software program.

Then they can show you how various changes to your nose may look after the recovery is complete. Being able to show onscreen how the nose may appear can go a long way to ensure that you are happy with the result.

If the surgeon doesn’t offer digital imaging with most procedures involving the face, consider finding someone else. You should take advantage of every technological tool that increases the chances of a favorable result.

Listen To Your Surgeon

Most of these pointers involve the what the surgeon does, but you can also avoid a botched nose job by listening carefully to your doctor. The odds of a great result are higher if you listen to the surgeon’s instructions after the procedure.

The rhinoplasty procedure is a major procedure and it takes months to recover. Most of the swelling and bruising fade after a few weeks, but it can take up to a year before the nose is completely healed.

Some things the surgeon may tell you to maximize the results are:

Elevate your head: Sleeping on your face or side during the early recovery period will affect how the nose looks and heals. You need to elevate the head as you sleep for six weeks after the procedure. Use pillows or a foam wedge to make sure you keep your head up at night.
Use cold packs: Use ice or cold packs to ice the nose for the first three days for 20 minutes at a time.
Take it easy: Your nose will be congested after surgery and can make sleep difficult. But you need to get as much sleep as possible so the body can heal.
Eat healthily: Eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, and lean protein so the body has what it needs to heal.

Remembering the tips outlined here will help ensure you have the best possible nose job result.

Questions and Answers

How do you know if your nose job is botched?

In addition to a poorly healed rhinoplasty scar, noticeable indicators encompass an asymmetrical or disproportionately sized nose in relation to the overall facial features. Occasionally, a nose might appear appealing in isolation but could appear overly large or small when considered within the framework of an individual’s face.

How common are botched nose jobs?

The incidence of unsuccessful nose jobs constitutes merely five to ten percent of all rhinoplasty procedures.

Is a revision rhinoplasty more expensive?

Specialized equipment or extra staff may increase costs for revision rhinoplasty, potentially surpassing those of primary procedures.

Can a botched nose be fixed?

You might experience a sense of unfamiliarity with your appearance, perhaps regretting your initial rhinoplasty. In certain instances, the nose might not function properly, causing issues like breathing difficulties or a persistent runny nose. The encouraging news is that revision surgery exists, and a bad nose job can typically be corrected through revision rhinoplasty.

A revision rhinoplasty is exactly what it sounds like. Only the most skilled plastic surgeons can perform this reconstructive surgery with confidence. A revision rhinoplasty can be difficult because the fix the problem that was created at a place of such detail and nuance requires great attention to detail. That being said, a revision rhinoplasty can change one’s life. For the patient who was unhappy with their initial surgery, a revision rhinoplasty is a life changing reconstructive surgery.

Healing from a revision rhinoplasty follows the same kind of process as healing from an initial nose job. During your revision rhinoplasty consultation your surgeon will walk you through the same things you learned during your first surgery, with some additional details added as well. While a revision rhinoplasty is difficult to perform, it is important to remember that when you are in the hands of an experienced surgeon, you do not need to worry. This revision surgery may change your life.

What is the piggy nose after rhinoplasty?

Certain patients might observe a piggy nose appearance following rhinoplasty, a phenomenon that is quite ordinary and not a reason for alarm. The upturned nose post-surgery primarily stems from swelling and is expected to diminish as the nose undergoes further healing. Of course, there may always be other issues beyond this temporary appearance. In that case a revision surgery (revision rhinoplasty) is a possible option to consider.

Request A Nose Job Consultation

Considering a nose job in New Jersey? Dr. Smita. R. Ramanadham can help you obtain the results you want. Dr. Ramanadham will go over your options, goals, and more to determine if you’re a good candidate for rhinoplasty.