Revision Rhinoplasty Price and Why It Costs More Than a First Rhinoplasty
If you have had rhinoplasty before and want revision rhinoplasty, why does the revision cost more than the first rhinoplasty, and why does the cost keep rising the more often it has to be revised?
The Difference Between Rhinoplasty and Revision Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty here means the first nose surgery, done as closed rhinoplasty or open rhinoplasty. With a first closed rhinoplasty, the nose structure is still in its original state and has never had surgery, and the tissue, bone and cartilage are normal, so the surgeon can augment the nose more easily and predict the result more accurately.
Steps in a First Rhinoplasty
- assessing the nose structure while it is still intact
- planning the surgery around the proportions you want
- placing a silicone implant or other augmentation material in a suitable position
- shaping the nasal tip as you want
Revision Rhinoplasty
Revision rhinoplasty means surgery to correct a nose that has had rhinoplasty before but has a problem, whether you are unhappy with the nose shape or a complication has occurred, so you want to change the shape. In revision rhinoplasty the nose structure has already changed from its original state, there is internal scar tissue, and there may be complex problems to correct, such as:
- a crooked, tilted or asymmetrical nose
- a silicone implant that shows through, pushes through the skin (implant extrusion) or moves
- infection or inflammation in the nose
- a drooping nasal tip or a change in nose shape
- a result that is not what you wanted
- tissue that has contracted or hardened, with thick scar tissue
Why Revision Rhinoplasty Costs More Than Rhinoplasty
1. Complexity, as Revision Rhinoplasty Is a Much More Complex Procedure Than a First Rhinoplasty
The nose structure has changed, and internal scar tissue from the previous surgery makes the tissue hard and stuck together. Bone and cartilage may already have been cut or changed. Blood flow in the nose is lower, which raises the risk of surgery, and there may be chronic inflammation or tissue damaged by the previous surgery.
- the surgeon needs more time for surgery (often 3 to 5 hours, compared with 1 to 2 hours for a standard rhinoplasty)
- more care is needed to avoid further damage
- more complex techniques than usual may be needed
2. It Needs a Surgeon Experienced in Revision Rhinoplasty
It needs a highly experienced surgeon, because not every surgeon who does rhinoplasty will do revision rhinoplasty well. The surgeon should have:
- at least 10 to 15 years of experience focused on revision rhinoplasty
- a deep understanding of complex nose structure
- the skills to solve a wide range of problems and handle unexpected situations well
- the ability to plan and predict accurately
3. Revision Rhinoplasty Often Needs Extra Materials and Equipment
- cartilage, such as ear cartilage or rib cartilage
- additional fixation materials to support the structure
- specific medicines and medical equipment
- fine, precise surgical instruments
4. Higher Risk of Complications
Revision rhinoplasty has a higher chance of complications than a first rhinoplasty, including:
- infection or inflammation
- more bleeding
- slow wound healing
- difficulty breathing
This means more thorough preparation and health checks, closer care from the surgeon and nurses, and possibly a longer recovery.
5. Longer Surgery and Recovery
Revision rhinoplasty takes longer in surgery, which means:
- higher operating theatre costs
- higher anaesthetic costs
- the team needs to provide care for longer
- a longer recovery, so you may need more time off work than after a first rhinoplasty
Why the Price Rises the More Often It Is Revised
A Second Revision Rhinoplasty Is More Complex and the Price Rises Again, Because
The structure has deteriorated further
- more internal scar tissue, making the tissue harder and thicker than before
- less bone and cartilage left
- poorer blood flow, raising the risk of infection
- thinner, weaker skin on the nose
Limits on what can be done
- fewer materials can be used, and rib cartilage may be needed, which is a bigger procedure
- a lower chance of getting the result you want
- more complex and careful planning is needed
A Third or Later Revision Rhinoplasty Gets Harder and More Expensive Each Time
- the nose structure is badly damaged and may not be fully correctable
- very complex techniques are needed
- the cost may be up to 2 to 3 times that of a first rhinoplasty
- a very high risk of complications
If You Do Not Want to Need Another Revision After Rhinoplasty
Note: Repeat nose surgery, which many people know as ‘nose reshaping’, is surgery for people who have had nose surgery before and need a further assessment by a surgeon. The approach to care depends on the original problem, the nose structure and the surgeon’s judgement in each case.
