Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure often referred to as a “nose job.” It is used to improve the appearance of your nose, as it relates to your facial structure. There are many reasons why a person may opt to receive rhinoplasty. These include:
- Nose has been broken or misshapen for varying reasons
- Nose is too small or large for face
- Nose is too thin or wide for face
- Nose appears crooked, off-center, or otherwise imperfect
- Patient feels that their nose generally does not fit their facial structure
A small percentage of patients will find results after a first corrective surgery are not exactly what they want. This could simply be a matter of deciding their original wishes were not exactly perfect, and they would like slight changes done to make it such. It could also be the nose did not settle in right after post-operative swelling went down. Rarely, bone or tissue issues may present themselves after swelling has decreased, and require a second surgery to correct.
If you are one of those people requiring a second rhinoplasty procedure, you may be wondering how long to wait before receiving a correctional operation. The key is to not wait too long, but wait long enough.
Minimum Time
Professionals do recommend a minimal wait time of three to six months before getting a second procedure. The exact wait time will depend on several factors. These include:
- How long it takes the swelling to decrease
- Your personal health history
- What the exact issue to be corrected is
Your plastic surgeon may require longer wait times to fix your rhinoplasty based on what the issue is. Different wait times may be required for bone issues than for those with the tip of your nose, or nose tissue. Swelling is also a crucial factor.
Maximum Wait Time
Just as you need to wait a minimum amount of time, you shouldn’t wait too long to get your second rhinoplasty. Waiting too long could make the second procedure more difficult. The sooner you can get your corrective rhinoplasty, the more familiar your surgeon will be with your first procedure.
You also don’t want two full recovery periods, either. Full recovery could take between six months and a year. If you wait too long, you will reach full recovery from your first procedure just in time to get a second surgery done – something nobody wants. Getting the procedure done sooner may mean slightly less recovery time total, and it will not be spaced out.
When in Doubt…
When in doubt about how long to wait before getting a second rhinoplasty procedure done, the best course of action is always to speak with your cosmetic surgeon. They are the only ones who know your extensive medical history, details of your first procedure, and what you are aiming to accomplishing through these operations. They can discuss the best course, including wait times, with a thorough understanding of what is or is not safe (or practical) for your specific circumstances.
