Revision Rhinoplasty Houston

Breathing difficulty after rhinoplasty

Revision rhinoplasty is a type of surgery performed on patients who have had previous rhinoplasty or septoplasty. Revision rhinoplasty addresses the aesthetic and/or functional aspects of the nose. It is important to understand that revision rhinoplasty is different from primary rhinoplasty in that a special surgical expertise is required to diagnose and treat the underlying anatomical abnormalities and scarring that has occurred from a previous rhinoplasty.

This patient underwent tertiary revision rhinoplasty or nose surgery for breathing difficulty and cosmetic dissatisfaction.  Ear cartilage was used.  She also had Dysport to forehead, frown lines, and filler under the eyes (Restylane) and to cheeks (Radiesse).

This patient had a previous rhinoplasty, aka nose job, and had difficulty breathing, recurring sinusitis, and was unhappy with the appearance of her nose.  Revision rhinoplasty, septoplasty, and sinus surgery was performed.  

Patient with crooked nose, assymetric nostrils and irregular profile after original rhinoplasty.  Nose much straighter with more natural profile and more symmetric nostrils after revision rhinoplasty by Dr. Funk.

Patient before and after revision nose surgery.

Patient after revision rhinoplasty.  Upturned nose and irregularity on profile corrected.

This patient required a revision rhinoplasty specialist for her retracted nostril and crooked nose.  

Revision rhinoplasty for patient with crooked nose, abnormal profile and breathing problems.

Ethnic revision rhinoplasty in patient who had too much nostril show, a shortened and overrotated tip.  

Revision Rhinoplasty with ear cartilage on a patient who had two previous rhinoplasties.  Notice the more natural tip and more refined appearance.

This patient had severe cartilage collapse with a saddle nose deformity.  Rhinoplasty with rib cartilage was performed.

 This patient felt she had a pinched and crooked appearance to her nose after previous rhinoplasty.  Eyelid surgery was also performed.  

This patient had previous septoplasty with sinus surgery and had severe trauma to the bridge 2 weeks after surgery.  Her nasal bones are splayed and widened and she has a saddle nose with collapse.  She had severe nasal airway obstruction.  Reconstructive nose surgery or functional rhinoplasty was performed with ear cartilage.

This patient had breathing difficulty after previous nose surgery and required revision rhinoplasty.  He was unhappy with his upturned and overprojected nasal tip.  A more masculine nose was achieved. 

This patient had previous rhinoplasty and was unhappy with her pinched tip and difficulty breathing.  Her deviated septum was corrected with septoplasty and revision rhinoplasty was performed.  Natural result after nose surgery.

This patient had a previous rhinoplasty with an undesirable result.  She felt that she still had a hump on her nose and droopy tip.  She desired a more upturned appearance to her nose with a slight sloop to her bridge.  Revision rhinoplasty was performed in Houston, Texas.

This patient had a previous rhinoplasty with an undesirable result.  She disliked the upturned and operated appearance of her nose.  Etai Funk, MD performed revision rhinoplasty in Houston using ear cartilage was performed to provide a more balanced and natural appearing nose.

This patient had a previous rhinoplasty with an undesirable result.  He disliked the upturned appearance of his nose and felt he still had a big nose.  Revision rhinoplasty  was performed to provide a more balanced and natural appearing nose.  He also had a deviated septum which was corrected.

This patient had a previous rhinoplasty with an undesirable result.  She disliked the upturned appearance of her nose and her nostril show.  Revision rhinoplasty using ear cartilage was performed to provide a more balanced and natural appearing nose.

Patients who feel they may have had a bad nose job can lead to many discouraging feelings. Whether you have a pinched tip, collapsed cartilage, or slooped nose after rhinoplasty, Dr Funk specializes in revision rhinoplasty and receives multiple consultations from referring physicians, patients, and their families throughout Houston for this purpose. If he feels as though improvement is possible with revision rhinoplasty, he will take your hand and slowly gain your confidence and trust to provide you not only with a pleasing result, but a memorable and enjoyable surgical course.

This patient had a previous rhinoplasty with an undesirable result.  She had a pinched tip and her nasal tip was croooked.  She had nasal valve collapse, a residual dorsal hump and a hanging columella.  Revision rhinpolasty was performed to improve function and cosmesis of the nose.

This patient had a residual hump after previous rhinoplasty in addition to nasal airway obstruction.  Revision rhinoplasty was performed to provide a straighter nose, take her hump down, and improve her breathing.

Many patients complain that they cannot breathe after rhinoplasty. A frequent complication with rhinoplasty is that the cosmetic aspects of the nose may be appealing; however, the functional or breathing qualities are the same or worsened. Dually trained as an ENT / Otolaryngologist and Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr Funk is fully capable of treating the functional and aesthetic concerns together. He understands the inherent aesthetic, anatomic, and physiologic characteristics of the nose. Respecting these properties, adhering to good surgical principles, and having an artistic perspective are what makes Dr Funk an excellent revision rhinoplasty surgeon.

The most common issue with revision rhinoplasty patients is that the nose has an over-operated or unnatural appearance. This can result from over-resection of the cartilaginous framework of the nose. If the septum (the wall that separates the two sides of the nose) has been violated, removed, or injured, other sources of cartilage may need to be used in order to reconstruct and reshape the nose. These may include ear cartilage, rib cartilage, or irradiated cadaveric rib cartilage. A remaining or recurrent deviated septum may also need to be repaired.

Ear cartilage or rib cartilage may be needed for grafts during revision rhinoplasty. Depending on the presence and amount of residual septal cartilage, these other sources of cartilage are frequently necessary to provide structural integrity back to the nose.

Removing ear cartilage for revision rhinoplasty will NOT alter the shape of the ear. Post operatively there is minimal pain from the ear and there are no stitches to be removed.

Rib cartilage for revision rhinoplasty (costal cartilage) requires a small incision in the fold under the breast or chest. The scar heals extremely well in this fold and is hidden by the bra/bikini in women. The pain is well tolerated post-operatively.

This patient had a revision rhinoplasty leaving her with a crooked nose and crooked nasal tip.  Revision rhinoplasty using ear cartilage was used to straighten her nose.

Revision Rhinoplasty Houston FAQ's

What is revision rhinoplasty?

Revision rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to enhance the appearance of the nose or the nasal airway after the nose has already been operated on. Patients may feel they had a "bad nose job" or are unhappy with their rhinoplasty results.

Is revision rhinoplasty harder than primary rhinoplasty or surgery the first ?

Yes. Revision rhinoplasty is more difficult than primary rhinoplasty for numerous reasons. After the initial surger, there is scarring that is formed between the skin and the bony and cartilage framework of the nose. This makes for a more difficult dissection during rhinoplasty and more unpredictable healing. In addition, during the first surgery, septal cartilage may have been taken and used for grafting purposes. In this case, residual septal cartilage may be insufficient or unstable for the revision rhinoplasty. Ear cartilage or rib cartilage may need to be used for revision rhinoplasty.

How long after my first rhinoplasty can I have my revision rhinoplasty?

Typically it takes a full year for the nose to completely heal and the swelling to subside after rhinoplasty. However, some patients with very thick skin may take 1.5-2 years until there swelling subsides. Dr Funk will perform a thorough evaluation to assess your nose and decide if you are ready for revision rhinoplasty.

Am I a good candidate for revision rhinoplasty?

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your nose after nasal surgery or perhaps cannot breathe after rhinoplasty, you may be a candidate for revision nasal surgery. Dr Funk will evaluate the external appearance of your nose and assess whether he feels that he may be able to provide an approvement on the appearance of your nose. If your breathing is an issue, this can typically be corrected by treating a residual or recurring deviated nasal septum, the nasal valves, or the turbinates.

I can't breathe after rhinoplasty. Can revision rhinoplasty fix my breathing?

Difficulty breathing after rhinoplasty can be due to numerous anatomical or healing concerns. A deviated septum may not have been addressed or the deviation to the septum may have returned and lost its correction. Another major cause of nasal airway obstruction after rhinoplasty or nose job is nasal valve collapse. If the internal nasal valve and external nasal valve are not respected, supported, or treated during surgery, this can lead to nasal vavle insufficiency. Dr Funk performs many revision septoplasties and rhinoplasties in which the nasal valve was not addressed in order to improve nasal breathing. Lastly, the turbinates may be enlarged. These are structures that act to humidify and moisten the air as it passes through the inside of the nose. Somes inferior turbinates need to be made smaller in order to allow greater passage of air through the nose.

Etai Funk is a Houston plastic surgeon specializing in the face including Revision Rhinoplasty in Houston. He is a board certified, fellowship trained, facial plastic surgeon. He practices in Houston, Texas treating patients from Katy, Memorial City, Memorial, The Woodlands, Spring Cypress, and Sugarland.  Dr Funk also sees many international patients for plastic surgery in Houston and from all over the US.