Not every rhinoplasty delivers the results a patient hopes for. Whether the outcome affects your appearance, breathing, or confidence, it can be deeply frustrating. Revision rhinoplasty—also called secondary rhinoplasty—is a corrective procedure that addresses unsatisfactory results from a previous nose surgery.
Dr. Armen Serebrakian is a board-certified facial and reconstructive surgeon with nearly four decades of experience and advanced training from Henry Ford Hospital and the Minnesota Head and Neck Clinic. At Bay Area Laser Cosmetic Surgery Center, he performs complex revision rhinoplasty procedures for patients across San Francisco and Marin County, helping them achieve the natural, balanced results they originally envisioned.
What Concerns Can a Revision Rhinoplasty Help Fix?
Revision rhinoplasty may be sought to correct common concerns such as:
- Too little or too much tip definition
- Too little or too much width at the bridge of the nose
- A residual dorsal hump or over-corrected hump
- Asymmetrical tip rotation
- Poor tip projection
- Collapse of the bridge or nostrils
Recovery From Revision Rhinoplasty
Patients can expect to return home the same day of their revision rhinoplasty. It is best to arrange a driver who will stay in the surgery center and be ready to take you home as soon as you are released. Because medication and the effects of surgery may cause grogginess for the first 24 hours, it is wise to have someone stay with you for the first 24 to 48 hours of your recovery.
The nose will most likely be splinted in some way after the procedure. Soft packing may have been applied depending on the amount of bleeding that occurred during surgery. These devices, coupled with natural swelling, may create a congested sensation. Often, the surgical dressing is limited to a “drip pad,” a piece of gauze that is held beneath the nose by an ear strap.
Discomfort is generally mild after revision rhinoplasty. Patients may find that they can maintain comfort with over-the-counter pain medication. Swelling and bruising may be improved by applying ice or a cold compress for a few minutes at a time.
By the end of the first week after revision rhinoplasty, most of the swelling and bruising should subside. Around this time, a follow-up occurs to check the progress of healing. Stitches and the splint, if placed, will likely be removed at this visit. Soon after the follow-up, most patients are ready to return to work and most normal activities. Exercise, nose-blowing, and strenuous activities will need to be resumed gradually over a few weeks.
By day 10 after surgery, most of the swelling and bruising should be gone. Irrigation and other post-op care may be able to cease at this time. Aside from contact sports and strenuous exercise, there should be little to no restrictions on activities that may be performed.
Like primary rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty can take several months for swelling to completely subside.
How is a Revision Rhinoplasty Performed?
Revision rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure that is performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgery center. This procedure presents a unique set of challenges and requires a greater level of skill on the part of the treating surgeon.
Dr. Serebrakian is a board-certified surgeon with training and experience in both cosmetic and reconstructive techniques. His understanding of facial anatomy makes him an ideal candidate for the aspects of revision rhinoplasty that may be necessary, including tissue rearrangement, tissue grafting, and tissue transplantation.
Candidates for Revision Rhinoplasty Surgery
You may be a candidate for revision rhinoplasty if:
- Your previous rhinoplasty left you with cosmetic concerns (e.g., asymmetry, drooping tip, visible bumps)
- You're experiencing structural problems that impact breathing
- You've healed from your initial procedure but remain unhappy with the results
- You have realistic expectations and are in overall good health
It’s generally recommended to wait at least 12 months after your initial surgery to allow swelling to fully resolve and scar tissue to settle. During your consultation, Dr. Serebrakian will evaluate your concerns, review your surgical history, and determine whether revision rhinoplasty is right for you.
The Revision Rhinoplasty Procedure
Once anesthesia is administered, Dr. Serebrakian makes incisions—either inside the nostrils (closed approach) or across the base of the nose (open approach)—based on the complexity of the case. This will be discussed with you during your consultation.
Through the incisions, skin is carefully lifted to access the underlying bone and cartilage. Corrections may involve reshaping existing cartilage or adding structural support using grafts. When needed, cartilage is harvested from the septum, ear, or rib to restore areas that were over-resected or weakened in the original procedure.
After adjustments are complete, the skin is redraped and the incisions are closed. The procedure typically lasts 90 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the extent of the revision.
Preparing for Your Revision Rhinoplasty
Taking the right steps before revision rhinoplasty can increase the chances of a satisfactory outcome. We suggest you:
- Give your body time to heal completely before seeking revision. This takes approximately one year for most people. Operating on the nose too soon intensifies an already-complicated process of observing what went wrong after the first rhinoplasty and making accurate corrections.
- Give your emotions and intellect time to fully comprehend what is to come. Revision rhinoplasty is not a painful process, this is not what patients need to prepare for. Where emotional maturity comes in is in the area of observation and communication. Before undergoing revision rhinoplasty, it is beneficial to have a full and clear understanding of what you wish to correct. The better you can communicate with your plastic surgeon, the closer they can come to your desired outcome. Due to the nature of rhinoplasty, it is important to understand that 100% improvement is nearly impossible. This is even more relevant to revision rhinoplasty procedures than primary surgeries.
- Dedicate time to finding the right plastic surgeon. It is not necessary to undergo revision rhinoplasty with the surgeon who conducted your first procedure. In fact, it is wise to consult with a few board-certified plastic surgeons before choosing your next surgeon. Revision rhinoplasty is a complicated procedure that requires an artistic eye as well as advanced technical skills. As a facial plastic surgeon with experience in reconstructive procedures, Dr. Serebrakian has extensive awareness of facial anatomy and how to work within natural contouring to achieve beautiful results.
Side Effects of Revision Rhinoplasty Surgery
Revision rhinoplasty is more complex than primary rhinoplasty due to existing scar tissue and altered nasal structure. While most patients recover smoothly, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects, which may include:
- Swelling and bruising around the nose and eyes
- Temporary numbness or stiffness
- Nasal congestion or difficulty breathing (short-term)
- Extended healing time due to tissue sensitivity
Dr. Serebrakian takes a meticulous and conservative approach to minimize risk and guide patients through a smooth recovery.
Why Choose Dr. Armen Serebrakian for Revision Rhinoplasty?
Dr. Armen Serebrakian is a board-certified surgeon with over three decades of experience serving the San Francisco Bay Area. Specializing in facial, head, and neck reconstructive surgery, he combines medical expertise with a refined aesthetic eye to deliver precise, natural-looking revision rhinoplasty results.
Trained at Henry Ford Hospital and the Minnesota Head and Neck Clinic, he brings advanced surgical training and ongoing education into every procedure. Dr. Serebrakian is known not only for his technical skill but also for his compassion, having provided pro-bono care for burn victims and tattoo removal for at-risk youth.
As the leader of one of the region’s most comprehensive cosmetic surgery centers, he also educates fellow physicians and mentors future doctors. Multilingual and artistically gifted, Dr. Serebrakian brings a deep appreciation for form, function, and beauty to his surgical practice, making him a trusted choice for complex revision procedures.
Get the Outcome You Deserve in Larkspur & Pinole, CA
If you would like to learn even more about revision rhinoplasty, please call our office in Pinole at 510.724.8282 or our Larkspur office at 415.461.5755 to schedule a consultation. Dr. Armen Serebrakian is a double-certified surgeon serving San Francisco, Larkspur, Pinole and surrounding areas in California.