Secondary rhinoplasty / Revision surgery advice?

Hey everyone!

I’ve noticed there’s been a lot of talk here lately about nose surgery, whether it's purely for looks or to fix breathing issues.
I really hope you all pick your surgeons wisely so you don't end up needing this thread too much.

In my case, I had some minor breathing trouble, and my nose was already pretty much perfect—but that tiny little gap between "good" and "perfect" ended up costing me a lot of time and money.

I guess it's mostly my own fault, but I really want to fix what was done.

From the front, I look a bit like Miss Piggy, and honestly, that’s the part that gets to me most.

I just want to look normal.

If anyone here has gone through a revision surgery, and could share who you went to, I’d really appreciate it.

I definitely don't want to make another mistake...

I suppose people with massive noses probably won't have this issue, since they'll likely be happy just having a smaller nose in general.
But for those of us trying to balance breathing issues with a bit of aesthetics, finding the right surgeon feels like the biggest hurdle.

Best,

Hi there.
I’m siding with you, Maya; clearly, I’m not the only one. In my case, I had an almost perfect nose and a balanced face before this. It’s been nearly four months since the correction, and I am unhappy. 👎 I suppose I was looking for trouble. While my profile looks softer, I’m particularly dissatisfied with how everything looks from the front—the nose feels a bit too short. Look, I don't exactly look like "Miss Piggy," and most people can't even tell I had work done, but for me, the change has unfortunately gone downhill. We really are our own worst critics. If it helps anyone, I went to a high-profile plastic surgeon, which just goes to show that a big reputation isn't a guarantee of a better result. This whole situation has been mentally taxing—guilt, regret, all of it. I’ve looked into revision options extensively, but since I haven't visited anyone personally, I can't give specific recommendations. They say there’s a chance for a fix, but I’m still in shock. I plan to wait another year to fully recover before making any moves. My advice to anyone in a similar spot: don't waste time or money. Be thorough with consultations and do not rush into decisions. I wish everyone luck with their revision surgeries, and for everyone else, I recommend avoiding the first procedure unless it is absolutely necessary. It would be helpful if someone with actual hands-on experience could share some insights on this. Hang in there; time is on our side.😉

My cousin recently had to visit a maxillofacial specialist, Professor Uglešić over at Mayo Clinic, for a revision rhinoplasty. We spent quite a bit of time asking around and doing our due diligence, and almost everyone we spoke to pointed us directly toward him. To be honest, the man truly performed a miracle on her nose; he was able to use some ear cartilage to refine the structure, and now my cousin finally looks like herself again instead of looking like she has a pug's snout.

I don't want to clutter things up with a whole new thread, but does anyone know roughly what a rhinoplasty costs these days? Also, how does it work if you're traveling from out of state? I’m hoping they can just get it done and send me straight back home without any drama.

Olivia Gonzalez11 said:My cousin recently had to visit a maxillofacial specialist, Professor Uglešić over at Mayo Clinic, for a revision rhinoplasty. We spent quite a bit of time asking around and doing our due diligence, and almost everyone we spoke to pointed us directly toward him. To be honest, the man truly performed a miracle on her nose; he was able to use some ear cartilage to refine the structure, and now my cousin finally looks like herself again instead of looking like she has a pug's snout.

I’m actually thinking about booking a consultation with him myself. I’ll likely need a "fix" on the left side too—it's a total disaster.
The worst part isn't even the surgery; it's the sheer embarrassment of showing up to see him (or anyone, really). I'm genuinely dreading whatever blunt truth he tells me...😁
I just want this to be the last time I ever have to deal with this...

The bottom line is you need to seek out specialists working in public hospitals. Private practitioners tend to downplay their importance for no logical reason, but they shouldn't be overlooked.
Most people aren't chasing geometric perfection for their nose, and a perfect profile doesn't necessarily mean a perfect face. For me, the facial harmony matters more. I'm hoping to tweak my nose to suit my own taste—it isn't hideous now, but I'd like to slightly extend the tip downward. It all comes down to personal preference; the most critical factors are surgeon-patient communication and having a realistic expectation of the desired outcome.
As for pricing, it varies. One well-known private surgeon is charging close to
12 $0.00, though generally, there isn't a massive price gap between primary and revision rhinoplasty. You have to be careful that the work isn't done partially. If you're adjusting the tip, you usually need to address the bridge as well. I've read that some clinics provide separate quotes for the tip versus the upper bridge. Exercise caution, think it through, and compare your options!
There is no other way.
All that glitters is not gold.😉

I stumbled upon this thread and noticed things have been pretty quiet here lately.
Ladies, if you’ve dealt with what I’m going through—that deep sense of dissatisfaction following a rhinoplasty—please reach out and share your stories.
I’m seriously considering a revision surgery, but I am completely lost on who to trust.
The only surgeon I’ve heard of is Zambelli, mainly because I read he was the one who worked on Severina.
Has anyone here actually been a patient of his, or perhaps someone else entirely?
Some people seem to praise Bastaić, but does anyone actually know anything about his work?
As it stands, my nose looks far too narrow, it's overly upturned, and it clearly looks shortened.
What I really need is to lower the tip, widen the base, and add some volume back.
To make matters worse, I can't even breathe properly anymore.
My initial procedure was performed by one of the most prominent plastic surgeons in the country, so there isn't any kind of guarantee to fall back on.
I really need some help!

Look, I’m right there with the crowd—I am definitely one of those people who isn't happy with how my surgery turned out. My biggest issue is that my nose ended up looking way too short, which makes the bridge stick out way more than it should. It’s frustrating. Honestly, if anyone here has actually gone through the process of a secondary rhinoplasty, please speak up. At this point, any solid advice would be worth its weight in gold to me.

Me too. Again. I haven’t even seen a specialist yet—completely lost track of my nose 😁
I’m planning to visit two or three doctors early next year to see what they have to say... Everyone here keeps posting about their nasal passages being too narrow or elevated, but my situation is actually the exact opposite! My nose has basically collapsed, and the left side feels sunken in while the bottom part is bulging out...?? 🙄
I just really hope there's a way to fix this. Wishing us all the best of luck... 🙂

Hello everyone, reviving this nearly dead thread.
It’s been over a year since my primary rhinoplasty, and I can say things have shifted for the better compared to those first four months post-op.
However, my final verdict is that the result is a step backward aesthetically; it looks far too "done." The nasal bridge is a bit too low at the root, while the tip appears overly lifted and shortened.😢

Consequently, I’ll need cartilage grafts.
The issue with many surgeons here in the States is that they still cling to an 80s aesthetic—the universal "small, upturned nose" look. They shorten them too much (which is a mistake) and don't dedicate enough time to the procedure.
I’ve done quite a bit of research online regarding revision surgeries, but I likely won't take any action for a couple of years.
In fact, I'd honestly prefer to go abroad, as we lack true specialists in secondary rhinoplasty here, which is a critical factor.😢

That said, I don't doubt there are excellent surgeons in the US; I'm just skeptical about who to choose given that most focus almost exclusively on primary cases.
If anyone has experience with domestic surgeons, please share your thoughts.🙂

We're all in similar boats. Hang in there.😉

So, I’ve been diagnosed with internal valve collapse in one nostril, which is why my breathing is such a struggle. I had septoplasty a while back, so this is most likely the fallout from an overly aggressive "straightening" of the septum, though there's a chance it's just how I was born.
The fix involves implanting what they call a spreader graft—basically using cartilage (either harvested from the septum itself or taken from the ear) to fill the gap between the septum and the collapsing cartilage. I have spent countless hours scouring the internet for info on this, and I am absolutely positive that this valve collapse is the root of all my breathing issues.

But here’s where the headache starts: getting a straight answer from doctors. One specialist diagnosed me but wouldn't "guarantee any improvement." A second doctor told me I shouldn't undergo surgery "just for the sake of surgery," and a third guy half-heartedly agreed with the first diagnosis before quickly pivoting to some other topic entirely. Then there was the fourth doctor—the one I actually went under the knife with. He promised he would implant the cartilage and, honestly, he was the only one who inspired any real confidence.

Fast forward to the day of the surgery. Once I was already committed and there was no turning back, he took one last look and suddenly decided, "Oh, you don't actually need any cartilage here." Well, a few months have passed since the procedure, and I’m stuck with practically the exact same symptoms.

So, where does that leave me?

If anyone has any insights, please chime in! For instance, if you know someone who had ear cartilage implanted to improve either their nose's appearance or its function, let me know so I can look into it. I am honestly at my wit's end running from one specialist to another; they'll list a thousand different reasons why my breathing is bad, but then during the actual exam, they brush it all off as just rhinitis or a deviated septum (which, again, is already straight, so I should be breathing fine).
I realize this is delicate work—it's a tiny, cramped space, and it seems much easier for surgeons to tackle a standard, never-before-operated deviation. But man, I would settle for just one honest professional to look me in the eye and say, "I don't know how to fix this," or "It takes too long for the results to be worth it." At least then I could accept my fate and deal with the chronic pharyngitis that comes from constantly mouth-breathing.

For what it's worth, my nose isn't a masterpiece, but it's not a disaster either. While there's definitely room for cosmetic improvement, I'm not looking for a facelift. I just want to be able to breathe through those damn holes that are supposed to be there for that exact purpose...

Hi everyone! I am so incredibly happy I stumbled upon this thread—I actually registered right away just so I could jump in and share my thoughts. I’m dealing with the exact same struggle; I’m just so unhappy with my nose after surgery because it feels like it doesn't fit my face at all anymore. To be fair, it’s technically "perfectly straight," but honestly, I feel like the surgeon either shortened it too much or did something weird with the tip, and now I just look like a mouse. The absolute worst part is that my old nose had this tiny little bump on it that only I seemed to notice, while everyone else thought it looked fine! Now, when I look back at old photos, I practically want to scream because I can see how much better my old nose suited my features and how much more natural I looked. It’s been two years since the procedure, and I spend the whole time wondering where to go for a fix, but I'm terrified that I'll end up with an even bigger disaster on my hands! I really just wanted to tell you ladies to think REALLY long and hard before getting a rhinoplasty. Sometimes Mother Nature really is the best designer, and just because a nose looks perfectly symmetrical on paper doesn't mean it will actually look good on your specific face. Sometimes those little imperfections are what make you, you. Unfortunately, I learned that lesson the hard way!

Just wanted to breathe some life back into this thread

Has anyone been through the revision process lately? I’m currently in the prep stage—starting my round of consultations this week...

I'm particularly curious about Dr. Bastaić.

Does anyone know what the wait times are like for an appointment with Dr. Uglešić, especially since he’s practicing out of the hospital?

I don't have any firsthand experience yet, but looking at other discussions regarding rhinoplasty, it seems like Dr. Glushac over in Miami has done quite a few successful procedures on women—but since Miami is a bit of a trek, I want to explore some closer options first.

Hey everyone!

I’m really hoping this thread has been "dead" for months simply because nobody here is unhappy with their rhinoplasty results :-).

Sadly, I fall into that other group—the ones where this whole ordeal has cost a massive amount of nerves so far (and, let’s be real, it’ll soon cost a ton of cash, too).

So, about eight months ago, I went under the knife. I had some breathing issues, and while my nose looked fine for the most part, I always thought the profile could be a little more graceful. I scheduled what was supposed to be just a tiny aesthetic touch-up with a well-known surgeon in Chicago, and he promised he could fix my breathing at the same time. Well, the results were basically the exact opposite of what I wanted—my nose ended up looking way too short, the bridge dropped too low at the root, but then the tip turned out way too upturned... and to top it all off, now my breathing is actually worse than before!
So far, I’ve had consultations with Dr. Zambelli, and I’m planning to go see Dr. Uglešić next.
Has anyone else here managed to get their issues sorted out in the meantime?

Oh, and Rachel Barnes5 and steelangler88—thank you both so much for putting up with me via DM over the last few months :-) Your advice and info have been absolute lifesavers.

Man, it’s a shame—there are clearly plenty of people out there who aren't happy with their results. Here is my situation: I went in for septoplasty because I couldn't breathe properly, and decided to tack on a rhinoplasty while I was at it. I wasn't thrilled with my profile, so I told them to just straighten it out a bit—make it smooth. Instead, I ended up with a literal hump. :-P It wouldn't even be an issue if my profile actually looked straight, but you can see exactly where the "new" nose ends and the "old" one begins. Let me try to explain this so it makes sense. The "new" part is the bridge—the nasal bone between/just below the eyes—and the "old" part is everything else. There is a blatant, visible line between the bridge and the cartilage plate (that's the middle of the nose, right?) and that "old" section looks like it was just glued on rather than integrated with the rest. It wasn't obvious during the first year, but now it's becoming much more pronounced. Lately, I've been weighing the option of getting it fixed, but I have no clue who to trust or if it's even worth the hassle. What if it turns out even worse?! The only silver lining is that I can breathe normally. :-)

Jesse Adams47 said:Hey everyone!

I’m really hoping this thread has been "dead" for months simply because nobody here is unhappy with their rhinoplasty results :-).

Sadly, I fall into that other group—the ones where this whole ordeal has cost a massive amount of nerves so far (and, let’s be real, it’ll soon cost a ton of cash, too).

So, about eight months ago, I went under the knife. I had some breathing issues, and while my nose looked fine for the most part, I always thought the profile could be a little more graceful. I scheduled what was supposed to be just a tiny aesthetic touch-up with a well-known surgeon in Chicago, and he promised he could fix my breathing at the same time. Well, the results were basically the exact opposite of what I wanted—my nose ended up looking way too short, the bridge dropped too low at the root, but then the tip turned out way too upturned... and to top it all off, now my breathing is actually worse than before!
So far, I’ve had consultations with Dr. Zambelli, and I’m planning to go see Dr. Uglešić next.
Has anyone else here managed to get their issues sorted out in the meantime?

Oh, and Rachel Barnes5 and steelangler88—thank you both so much for putting up with me via DM over the last few months :-) Your advice and info have been absolute lifesavers.

Jesse Adams47, how did the consultation with Zambelli go? Did you happen to ask about the price? That's a huge factor in my decision-making process. Thanks! :-)

Andrew Booth14 said:Man, it’s a shame—there are clearly plenty of people out there who aren't happy with their results. Here is my situation: I went in for septoplasty because I couldn't breathe properly, and decided to tack on a rhinoplasty while I was at it. I wasn't thrilled with my profile, so I told them to just straighten it out a bit—make it smooth. Instead, I ended up with a literal hump. :-P It wouldn't even be an issue if my profile actually looked straight, but you can see exactly where the "new" nose ends and the "old" one begins. Let me try to explain this so it makes sense. The "new" part is the bridge—the nasal bone between/just below the eyes—and the "old" part is everything else. There is a blatant, visible line between the bridge and the cartilage plate (that's the middle of the nose, right?) and that "old" section looks like it was just glued on rather than integrated with the rest. It wasn't obvious during the first year, but now it's becoming much more pronounced. Lately, I've been weighing the option of getting it fixed, but I have no clue who to trust or if it's even worth the hassle. What if it turns out even worse?! The only silver lining is that I can breathe normally. :-)

Jesse Adams47, how did the consultation with Zambelli go? Did you happen to ask about the price? That's a huge factor in my decision-making process. Thanks! :-)

Hey there, Andrew Booth14 🙂 !

If I'm reading you correctly, you're seeing a really distinct line between the bony part and the cartilaginous part of your nose?

I'm in the exact same boat (along with a bunch of other nose struggles!), and Zambelli noticed it the second he laid eyes on me. He mentioned that the cartilage portion needs to be widened to blend smoothly with the bony bridge. That was really just the start of our consultations—he was incredibly attentive and took the time to walk me through everything that needs to be done. As far as Zambelli goes, he left me with the impression of being a truly professional, serious surgeon, and I'm actually leaning toward having my revision done by him. The price is around $2,400.

Besides seeing Z., I also had consultations with Professor Uglešić and Dr. Bastajić. Bastajić doesn't show any before-and-after photos 🤷 , and he suggested using a closed technique for the surgery (which I'm not sure is the best move when you're trying to "upgrade" an existing nose). People speak very highly of Uglešić, though—he told me he would only address certain parts of my issues. For instance, regarding widening that cartilage area, he basically said he wouldn't do it because it's a "total headache."

Jesse Adams47 said:Hey there, Andrew Booth14 🙂 !

If I'm reading you correctly, you're seeing a really distinct line between the bony part and the cartilaginous part of your nose?

I'm in the exact same boat (along with a bunch of other nose struggles!), and Zambelli noticed it the second he laid eyes on me. He mentioned that the cartilage portion needs to be widened to blend smoothly with the bony bridge. That was really just the start of our consultations—he was incredibly attentive and took the time to walk me through everything that needs to be done. As far as Zambelli goes, he left me with the impression of being a truly professional, serious surgeon, and I'm actually leaning toward having my revision done by him. The price is around $2,400.

Besides seeing Z., I also had consultations with Professor Uglešić and Dr. Bastajić. Bastajić doesn't show any before-and-after photos 🤷 , and he suggested using a closed technique for the surgery (which I'm not sure is the best move when you're trying to "upgrade" an existing nose). People speak very highly of Uglešić, though—he told me he would only address certain parts of my issues. For instance, regarding widening that cartilage area, he basically said he wouldn't do it because it's a "total headache."

The most important thing to keep in mind is that there’s always a recovery period following surgery. You really have to give the body some time to show how the tissue is healing from the trauma of the procedure itself.

Out of all the options we've talked about, I’d really suggest giving an ENT some serious thought. While plastic surgery is great at tackling the aesthetic side of things, it doesn't always address the functional issues. Because of that, they often lack the full, integrated perspective needed to see how everything works together.

Take Professor Uglešić, for example—he’s honestly fantastic, but when you get into the maxillofacial specifics, he’ll likely tell you straight up that noses aren't really his specialty. I actually went to see him back when I was still a student for an open septorhinoplasty (which is exactly what you're looking into), and to be honest, it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I never actually fixed the septum issue—it ended up curving right back—and my nose still isn't straight because of how the septum shifted. On top of that, there's this visible ridge of cartilage sticking out on the outside.

Open technique is such a game-changer because it gives you a direct look at exactly what’s going on—it’s like having everything laid out right there in front of you on a silver platter.
If you’re looking for a specialist, you really can’t go wrong with Dr. Bedeković over at Mercy Hospital. Honestly, watching him work is such a treat—he has this incredible way of focusing on the functional side of things while simultaneously making sure the aesthetic results are absolutely flawless. It’s rare to find someone who balances both so perfectly!

Andrew Booth14 said:Man, it’s a shame—there are clearly plenty of people out there who aren't happy with their results. Here is my situation: I went in for septoplasty because I couldn't breathe properly, and decided to tack on a rhinoplasty while I was at it. I wasn't thrilled with my profile, so I told them to just straighten it out a bit—make it smooth. Instead, I ended up with a literal hump. :-P It wouldn't even be an issue if my profile actually looked straight, but you can see exactly where the "new" nose ends and the "old" one begins. Let me try to explain this so it makes sense. The "new" part is the bridge—the nasal bone between/just below the eyes—and the "old" part is everything else. There is a blatant, visible line between the bridge and the cartilage plate (that's the middle of the nose, right?) and that "old" section looks like it was just glued on rather than integrated with the rest. It wasn't obvious during the first year, but now it's becoming much more pronounced. Lately, I've been weighing the option of getting it fixed, but I have no clue who to trust or if it's even worth the hassle. What if it turns out even worse?! The only silver lining is that I can breathe normally. :-)

Jesse Adams47, how did the consultation with Zambelli go? Did you happen to ask about the price? That's a huge factor in my decision-making process. Thanks! :-)

Haha, it’s pretty interesting how your post puts nasal function completely in the backseat, even though that’s way more fundamental than just how things look aesthetically.

The real question is what was actually performed during the procedure; honestly, an open septorhinoplasty would have been the much better call here.

I think a lot of what Jesse Adams47 wrote applies to you as well. 🙂

Kenneth Kim67 said:I stumbled upon this thread and noticed things have been pretty quiet here lately.
Ladies, if you’ve dealt with what I’m going through—that deep sense of dissatisfaction following a rhinoplasty—please reach out and share your stories.
I’m seriously considering a revision surgery, but I am completely lost on who to trust.
The only surgeon I’ve heard of is Zambelli, mainly because I read he was the one who worked on Severina.
Has anyone here actually been a patient of his, or perhaps someone else entirely?
Some people seem to praise Bastaić, but does anyone actually know anything about his work?
As it stands, my nose looks far too narrow, it's overly upturned, and it clearly looks shortened.
What I really need is to lower the tip, widen the base, and add some volume back.
To make matters worse, I can't even breathe properly anymore.
My initial procedure was performed by one of the most prominent plastic surgeons in the country, so there isn't any kind of guarantee to fall back on.
I really need some help!

As for me, I had my procedure done at Dubrava, under a doctor who left me with a lumpy nose. It's wide, and frankly, I'm devastated. I don't even know how to explain the situation to a different surgeon; I wanted to do everything within the hospital system, and I heard Dr. Borcoć over at Mercy is excellent, but how am I supposed to explain the specifics to someone who didn't perform the initial surgery? They might not even grasp what went wrong, yet my nose is a constant eyesore. How long do you have to wait before you can undergo a second surgery? It's been six months for me, and the tip still aches. And as for the rest... well, let's just say I'd rather not use any profanity. I'm truly asking for some guidance from kind souls here; I am deeply disappointed.

Hey everyone, just adding another member to your club of people unhappy with their rhinoplasty results. It’s been four months since the surgery, and honestly, my nose looked fine until about a month ago. Now things have shifted, and I don't even recognize myself anymore. 😢
I'll wait a few more months to see how things settle, but I'm skeptical that I'll actually be happy with the outcome. My nose looks too long now, the bridge has dropped, and the tip is way too upturned. These doctors seriously have no idea what they're doing...

neonbear582 said:As for me, I had my procedure done at Dubrava, under a doctor who left me with a lumpy nose. It's wide, and frankly, I'm devastated. I don't even know how to explain the situation to a different surgeon; I wanted to do everything within the hospital system, and I heard Dr. Borcoć over at Mercy is excellent, but how am I supposed to explain the specifics to someone who didn't perform the initial surgery? They might not even grasp what went wrong, yet my nose is a constant eyesore. How long do you have to wait before you can undergo a second surgery? It's been six months for me, and the tip still aches. And as for the rest... well, let's just say I'd rather not use any profanity. I'm truly asking for some guidance from kind souls here; I am deeply disappointed.

Is it possible to do a mix of things at Mayo Clinic—like using insurance for certain parts and paying cash for others?🙂🙂😵