If you see a surgeon who is: 1) On a billboard or 2) inviting you to surgery the day after you call them, stay away! That was a lesson learned from an episode about nose jobs gone bad on the E! series, Botched.
In this episode, three women explained how their rhinoplasties went horribly wrong, and the aftermath of their procedures. They were all clearly traumatized. It goes without saying that a botched nose job can be devastating, underscoring the importance of finding reputable surgeons who can deliver pleasing results.
But the question remains: why do they happen in the first place?
The Surgeon Lacks Experience and/or Skill
For anyone old enough to remember watching The Simpsons growing up, you’ll probably remember Dr. Nick. For those of you who don’t know, he was a doctor who frequently botched the procedures he was supposed to be an expert at. The only reason he was able to still practice was due to the fact that no one confronted him or filed lawsuits.
His character was exaggerated for comedic effect, but he was an unfortunate representation of some real plastic surgeons out there. Some are simply not skilled or experienced enough to perform rhinoplasties. Performing a nose job is like doing any other surgery—it takes years of practice to master the craft. A surgeon who hasn’t put their time in is more likely to make surgical errors that can lead to a botched rhinoplasty.
Misunderstanding of a Patient’s Rhinoplasty Goals
Unlike heart or brain surgery, where the surgeon has a clear objective, the patient has their own version of how their rhinoplasty should look. That means both the surgeon and the patient have to be on the same page. Unfortunately, misunderstandings can happen—a game of broken telephone, if you will. And a sedated patient can’t say, “This isn’t what I want!” Fortunately this is rare, since today’s surgeons have extensive discussions with patients about what outcomes are realistic.
Too Much or Too Little Correction
The best surgeons can occasionally miscalculate their efforts. That typically manifests as over- or under correction, either of which is undesirable.
Let’s define them.
Overcorrection refers to instances where surgeons remove too much nasal tissue, or when they make excessive structural changes. Under correction, on the other hand, refers to when surgeons don’t change the nasal structure enough.
In either case, the result is dissatisfying—a warped nasal shape in the case of overcorrection, and barely noticeable changes in the case of under correction.
A high skill level and years of experience often shrink correction issues to near zero, but mistakes can still happen.
Nature Proves Itself More Powerful Than the Surgeon
Today’s surgeon is a Michelangelo when it comes to sculpting nasal tissue. The methods, the tools, and the skills continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. But even then, nature sometimes will stop a surgeon in their tracks.
In other words, some people’s nasal structure might be too resistant to change. Skin thickness, cartilage strength, facial structure—they all can limit what a surgeon is able to change, sometimes unexpectedly.
In these cases, neither the surgeon nor the patient is to blame.
What surgeons and patients can do before the surgery, however, is to communicate what’s realistic for the outcome of a rhinoplasty. That includes potential complications.
Complications — The Unexpected Can Happen Too
Piggybacking off the last section, there’s the issue of complications. Sometimes, a procedure just doesn’t go as planned. Apart from infections or bleeding, nasal valve collapse or a deviated septum can occur almost spontaneously, which, again, is neither the surgeon nor the patient’s fault. Naturally, surgeons are supposed to disclose these risks with patients beforehand. The good news is that these kinds of complications are rare.
Also, somewhat related to surgical complications is the risk of poor healing. Every patient heals differently, and that means poor or inadequate healing for some. For example, rhinoplasty patients may develop excessive scar tissue, or their skin may not contract or expand to accommodate their new nasal structure. That can lead to an abnormal shape after the procedure.
Sometimes Patients Bring It On Themselves Too
We like to give patients the benefit of the doubt that they did not sabotage their nose job. But sometimes, the patient is at fault. They’re not responsible for what happens on the operating table, but in the days and weeks after the procedure.
Some patients adopt a laissez-faire attitude towards post-op care. They might ignore crucial instructions, like not blowing their nose, smoking, or flying until deemed safe to do so. Of course, ignoring the doctor’s orders can complicate or even stall one’s recovery.
Revision Rhinoplasty Reverses Botched Results
Regardless of what causes a botched rhinoplasty, the good news is that botched rhinoplasties are fixable. It calls for a revision rhinoplasty, where the surgeon corrects the mistakes of the last procedure, and then restores a more natural shape and symmetry.
The surgeon will evaluate the amount of necessary corrective work, and then give the patient an honest picture of what their recovery will look like. Afterwards, they will look at factors such as the patient’s facial proportions, ethnicity, and natural nose structure to determine what a realistic “fix” will look like.
The surgeon may use cartilage grafts from the ears, ribs, or septum to reconstruct the nose. Of course, the extent of this grafting varies from patient to patient.
Of course, the goal here is to make the revision rhinoplasty your last one.
Ensuring Your Revision Rhinoplasty is Your Last Rhinoplasty
Wait for a designated time period
Ideally, you should wait at least 12 months before undergoing a revision rhinoplasty. It can be challenging to live an entire year with a nose shape you don’t like, but it’s essential to allow for adequate healing, which, in itself, must happen before you get another operation.
Find the right surgeon
As was illustrated above, a few causes of botched nose jobs are due to poor surgical technique or a lack of experience. That’s why you need to exercise caution and diligence to find a surgeon who has solid rhinoplasty chops. Make sure they not only have the credentials, but more importantly, a spotless track record.
Keep realistic expectations
Lastly, it’s important that both you, the patient, and the surgeon focus on a realistic outcome for your revision rhinoplasty. As we mentioned above, miscommunications can happen between the surgeon and the patient, so during a revision rhinoplasty, it’s important to set well-defined objectives so there isn’t a “Part II” of errors.
Keep in mind that getting the revision rhinoplasty right is not just about changing your looks—it’s also about your health and wellbeing. Correcting a deformed nose is crucial to ensure that you’re not dealing with pain, infections, or breathing difficulties down the road.
The Point of Return—Revision Rhinoplasty Brings Your Nose Back to Normal
A botched nose job can leave you with lasting emotional scars and ruin your self-esteem for years to come. The Botched episode we mentioned above exemplifies how damaging a poorly-executed rhinoplasty can be. A revision rhinoplasty can undo those wounds, and give you a renewed sense of confidence.
Here at the offices of Dr. Richard Rival, our expertise ensures that you’ll walk out of our clinic with the results you’ll be confident with. We conduct thorough analysis upfront so that we avoid the mistakes that some surgeons have committed. And it is the reason why we have a spotless record of delivering rhinoplasties since day one!
Have you been affected by a botched rhinoplasty? Get in touch with us to help you reverse it for the look you deserve.