Revision Rhinoplasty in Memphis, TN, with Dr. Langsdon
Revision rhinoplasty (or secondary rhinoplasty) is nose surgery to correct or improve the results of an earlier rhinoplasty procedure. Revision rhinoplasty may be performed for cosmetic reasons, to enhance the appearance of the nose and face; for functional reasons, to remove nasal obstruction and correct breathing problems; or to make both cosmetic and functional corrections.
The goal of revision rhinoplasty, as with the goal for primary rhinoplasty, is to reshape your nose to bring your facial features into natural and attractive harmony while ensuring an open nasal airway for comfortable and healthy breathing.
Rhinoplasty is among the most complex and challenging of all plastic surgery procedures. Precise changes must be made to the underlying structure of the nose, and minute variations can make a significant difference in the final results. The complexity and challenges are only magnified in revision rhinoplasty, where the original structure of the nose has already been altered. If you are dissatisfied with the results of your first rhinoplasty, it’s important to work with the most skilled and experienced specialist as you consider a revision procedure.
Dr. Phillip Langsdon is a leading figure in the field of facial plastic surgery. He has developed improved techniques for rhinoplasty to create more natural-looking results. Dr. Langsdon served as president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) in 2018-19 and is considered by many to be one of the best rhinoplasty surgeon in America.
Read more about Dr. Langsdon’s recognition as a premier rhinoplasty surgeon.
To learn more about revision rhinoplasty in Memphis, contact The Langsdon Clinic today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Langsdon.
Why Might I Consider Revision Rhinoplasty?
You might consider revision rhinoplasty if, after your initial nose surgery, you:
- are unhappy with the appearance of your nose
- are bothered by structural problems in your nose, such as asymmetry or a deviated septum
- have breathing problems due to nasal obstruction
Keep in mind that it takes time for the final results of a rhinoplasty to appear. It’s normal to have swelling after nose surgery, and residual swelling can last as long as 18 months. Experts like Dr. Langsdon note that some subtle changes may be seen even 5 years after surgery. The nose you see in the mirror for the first year after your surgery may still be affected by long term changes in the tissues. Unless you have breathing problems or a clear structural problem, Dr. Langsdon will often advise you to wait for a full year before considering revision rhinoplasty. You may be pleasantly surprised by the appearance of your nose when you wait a few more months.
Once all residual swelling has disappeared, if there are still problems with your nose, schedule a consultation with Dr. Langsdon. After an examination, he will then be able to give his recommendation on the potential benefits of a revision procedure.
Why Choose Dr. Langsdon for Revision Rhinoplasty in Memphis?
Revision rhinoplasty is often more challenging than primary rhinoplasty. It’s advisable to find a doctor who specializes in the procedure and has focused training and years of experience with rhinoplasty. Dr. Langsdon advises seeking out a highly experienced rhinoplasty surgeon.
Dr. Langsdon is a pioneer in rhinoplasty surgery and is considered by many to be one of the best rhinoplasty surgeons in America. Through his work with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, which he led as president in 2018-19, he has organized and overseen the organization’s medical education program that includes rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty. He has published his innovations in surgical technique, taught young doctors specializing in facial plastic surgery, and led special rhinoplasty training programs for experienced plastic surgeons.
Dr. Langsdon’s expertise and innovations are all focused on one overriding goal: to produce beautiful natural-looking results for his patients. You should trust nothing less than a talented, highly experienced and compassionate surgeon for your rhinoplasty, and Dr. Langsdon has the experience and specialization to create outstanding results. People from all across the U.S. and abroad travel to Dr. Langsdon’s practice because of his unmatched expertise.
Consultation and Planning for Your Revision Rhinoplasty
At The Langsdon Clinic, we strive to personalize each rhinoplasty so that the patient’s results are as good as possible. We understand that there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all type of nose, so our goal is to shape our patients’ noses in a way that fits their facial architecture as best as realistically possible. We strive to create natural-looking results and to develop balanced and proportional results to the patient’s unique facial features.
With revision rhinoplasty, that personalized focus is especially important. In your consultation with Dr. Langsdon, he will examine your nose to understand the underlying structure. Just as important, he will ask questions to fully understand your goals for the revision procedure — what bothers you about the results of the initial procedure, and what you hope can be accomplished with revision surgery. It can help, in this consultation, to show Dr. Langsdon photographs of your face before the surgery so he can see what changes were made.
With a full understanding of your facial anatomy, the current condition of the remaining nasal cartilage, bone, skin quality, the changes made in the initial procedure, Dr. Langsdon will give you his professional opinion on whether revision rhinoplasty is a good choice. If it is, he will explain the details of how he would approach the procedure, the risks, limitations, possible additional treatments, what your experience will be, and the realistic possibilities of revision surgery so that you can better understand the results you might expect.
In some cases, changes made in the initial surgery will limit options for correction. If this is true for you, Dr. Langsdon will explain what can and can’t be done to improve your nose.
What to Expect in the Revision Rhinoplasty Procedure
Your revision rhinoplasty is often performed in The Langsdon Clinic’s outpatient surgical facility. In preparation for surgery, you will be given medication to help you relax, promote healing, and minimize post-operative swelling and bruising. General anesthesia is typically used, although sedation may be used in some cases.
Revision rhinoplasty is a highly individualized procedure. The exact approach that Dr. Langsdon uses for your surgery will depend on your anatomy/tissue condition and goals, as determined in your consultation, taking into account the changes made in the initial procedure. Before your surgery, he will explain the details of the rhinoplasty revision procedure, including:
- where the incision will be made (either inside your nose or just below the tip of your nose in the narrow ridge of skin between the nostrils)
- how the structure of your nose may be changed by removing, reducing, reshaping, repositioning, or grafting bone or cartilage
In some cases, where grafting of cartilage or bone is required to build up the structure of the nose, tissue is taken from elsewhere on your body, most commonly from a rib or behind the ear. Sometimes cartilage is obtained from the tissue bank.
Revision rhinoplasty surgery generally takes between two and four hours, depending on the complexity of the procedure. Once you are alert again after your sedation or anesthesia, a trusted friend or family member can drive you home.
What To Expect in Revision Rhinoplasty Recovery
We will provide you with a post-operative recovery plan customized to the unique aspects of your revision rhinoplasty procedure. You can expect some swelling, bruising, and tenderness at first, but Dr. Langsdon will prescribe medication to help with any short-term discomfort. Since Dr. Langsdon does not usually use nasal packing after the procedure (he uses absorbable sutures inside the nose to replace the tissues instead of packing), there will be less discomfort, swelling, bruising and stuffiness than when packing is used. To promote healing and minimize swelling, Dr. Langsdon recommends keeping your head elevated for the first 14 days after the procedure.
You will need to rest at home for the first week after surgery and avoid strenuous activity for a few weeks. Many patients are able to go back to office work or school a week after their revision rhinoplasty. If minimal revision is all that is needed, the immediate post-surgical swelling is usually not noticeable to the casual observer after a week or two. If complex repair is needed, the immediate post surgical swelling may take longer to subside. Your results will continue to improve over the next few months, but it can take up to a year for the skin to redrape. Long term changes can be seen for 5 years after revision rhinoplasty.
Schedule Your Memphis Revision Rhinoplasty Consultation Today
Contact The Langsdon Clinic today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Langsdon. He will examine your nose, carefully analyzing the shape of your nasal structures and the quality of your residual bone, cartilage and skin; consider the harmony of your facial features; seek to understand the changes made in the initial procedure; ask questions to understand your goals for the revision procedure; and give you his expert recommendation on whether revision rhinoplasty might be recommended or not and if recommended, he will advise the best approach for revision surgery.
Patients seeking revision rhinoplasty in Memphis have chosen Dr. Langsdon time and time again because of his natural and balanced results. If you would like to partner with the one of the best rhinoplasty surgeons in America, we invite you to call 901-755-6465 or reach us online today.
Meet Dr. Langsdon
President of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018
Phillip R. Langsdon, M.D. is Clinical Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis. Dr. Langsdon’s career has been limited and focused entirely on Facial Plastic Surgery and he has dedicated himself to the pursuit of excellence in his field.