Primary Rhinoplasty vs. Secondary Rhinoplasty
As a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, I am always asked about the difference between primary rhinoplasty and secondary rhinoplasty (an operation to revise a previous nose job).
The basic issue is that a primary rhinoplasty or a nose job where the patient has never had surgery is much easier (in general) than an operation where there is previous surgery.
The previous operation makes for a great deal of scar tissue and difficult in a secondary rhinoplasty.
In Beverly Hills and Newport Beach, we have plastic surgery offices arranged to see patients for these types of operations.
My experience with primary rhinoplasty is extensive.
I perform primary rhinoplasty about 40% of the time I am doing a nose job.
However, the other 60% of the operations of the nose are secondary rhinoplasty which means much more difficulty with the scar tissue and healing.
More grafts are required, such as rib cartilage, ear cartilage or deep temporalis fascia for a Diced Cartilage and Fascia graft.
All of this add up to a much more difficult operation with a greater chance of needing revision surgery.
In order to prepare for rhinoplasty, the patient must communicate clearly with their surgeon about what they want to achieve.
In my office, the patient meets with me to go over the details of their desired and what they want to achieve.
My goal is to develop a treatment plan that is feasible and that will get the patient where they want to go.
Communication is the key.
It is always helpful to bring photographs, before and after photos of other rhinoplasty operation you like, or to just bring sketches or annotated pictures.
It all helps!
View Rhinoplasty before and after photos
View SSecondary Rhinoplasty before and after photos
If you have any questions about primary or secondary rhinoplasty, contact Dr Jay Calvert.
