Teenage Rhinoplasty Readiness: When Is It Safe To Get a Nose ...
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Hobgood Facial Plastic Surgery: Todd Hobgood, MD
8415 North Pima Road #120
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Phone: (480) 214-9955
Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Revision rhinoplasty requires a higher level of experience, judgment, and technical precision than primary nasal surgery. Dr. Todd Hobgood is a revision rhinoplasty specialist in Scottsdale, Arizona, who is board-certified in both Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. Having performed more than 5,000 rhinoplasty procedures, including over 1,000 revision rhinoplasties, Dr. Hobgood brings a rare depth of experience to patients seeking aesthetic and functional correction after prior nasal surgery.
Because revision rhinoplasty is highly individualized, Dr. Hobgood takes the time in each consultation for a thoughtful, one-on-one evaluation and an honest discussion of what can realistically be achieved. He helps patients from Scottsdale and around the world who come to him feeling dissatisfied after a prior surgery elsewhere move forward with clarity and confidence.
Revision Rhinoplasty At A Glance
Price Range: Varies
Recovery Time: 2 to 3 Weeks
Average Procedure Time: 2 to 3 Hours
Post-op Follow-up: 1 Week, 3 Months, 1 Year
Recovery Location: Outpatient
Rhinoplasty Revision Before & After Photos
Before & After
Case: 5 of 8
Revision Rhinoplasty
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
What Is Revision Rhinoplasty?
Also called secondary or tertiary rhinoplasty, this surgical procedure is designed to correct or improve the results of a previous rhinoplasty that was unsatisfactory for one reason or another. This procedure may be used to correct functional problems that affect breathing as well as cosmetic issues. While rhinoplasty is one of the most complicated cosmetic surgery procedures, secondary rhinoplasty is even more complex with a higher revision rate than other procedures.
We recommend choosing a board-certified facial plastic surgeon such as Dr. Hobgood for revision rhinoplasty, who has more than 20 years of experience and has performed more than 1,000 of these delicate surgeries out of more than 5,000 rhinoplasty procedures overall. Insurance companies do not cover revision rhinoplasty as it is the consequence of previous elective cosmetic surgery.
How Much Does Revision Rhinoplasty Cost in Scottsdale, AZ?
The cost of revision rhinoplasty varies widely depending on the complexity of your procedure. You will receive a cost estimate for your procedure during your consultation so you know exactly what to expect. Learn more about revision rhinoplasty pricing in our blog post.
What Do I Need for My Revision Rhinoplasty Consultation?
We hope to collect all before and after photographs, as well as operative procedure notes, before completing a consultation. As we tend to see patients visiting from great distances, we will often recommend an initial phone or video consultation to maximize efficiency for both Dr. Hobgood and our valued patients. Before you visit, look through his 395+ rhinoplasty before-and-after photos and more than 380 5-star patient reviews on Google to get a clear idea of what to expect.
Dr. Todd Hobgood
Dr. Hobgood combines his down-to-earth, personable demeanor with an artistic eye and technical expertise honed through thousands of surgeries, including more than 1,700 facelifts and over 5,000 rhinoplasties. He's recognized nationally for his leadership and has been honored by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for his ongoing commitment to quality.
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What Are Common Reasons for Secondary Rhinoplasty?
Revision nasal surgery may be performed due to dissatisfaction with the appearance of the nose or dissatisfaction with the function of the nose. Common issues that can develop or increase as the result of previous nasal surgery and necessitate revision surgery include improper diagnosis, unexpected healing, poor technique, or a subsequent injury to the nose. Common patient concerns include:
- Pinched tip: If the tip of the nose seems pinched, it is usually because too much tip cartilage was removed or it did not heal well. Cartilage is typically added back in a nose tip rhinoplasty revision procedure.
- Inverted V: After a hump is reduced, the middle section of the nose occasionally collapses inward and creates an inverted V. This can be corrected with grafts.
- Parrot beak appearance: This can happen if a hump on the bridge is not reduced enough just behind the tip of the nose or there is a build-up of scar tissue.
- Bump or callous: In some cases, a bump or callous may form on the dorsum up to 12 months after rhinoplasty. It can typically be corrected with a minor procedure.
- Asymmetry: If your nose appears asymmetrical after rhinoplasty, it may be the result of uncontrollable post-operative scarring that causes an uneven appearance.
- Disappointing results: Some patients are simply unhappy with the results of their primary rhinoplasty, which may be the result of complications, misjudgment on the surgeon’s part, unclear communication about what you wanted, or unrealistic expectations.
Choosing an experienced rhinoplasty specialist makes the need for revision nasal surgery less likely, but it is always a possibility. Learn more about how to choose the best revision rhinoplasty surgeon.
What Happens During Revision Rhinoplasty Surgery?
Revision nasal surgery typically requires a more complex, customized approach than an initial procedure and may take 3 or more hours. General anesthesia or sedation with local anesthesia may be used. Surgical techniques used depend greatly on the issues that need to be addressed. Both closed and open rhinoplasty may be used during the procedure. Closed rhinoplasty means incisions are confined to the inside of the nose, although some corrections may require an open rhinoplasty, in which a small incision is made between the nostrils on the underside of the nose.
In many cases of revision surgery, additional cartilage is necessary to correct the function or appearance of the nose. If the previous surgery removed too much cartilage from the septum, Dr. Hobgood will use cartilage from the ears or even the ribs and create a cartilage graft to reshape the nose and give it the foundation and support it needs. This type of structural refinement is especially important in cases involving the nasal tip, where bulbous tip revision rhinoplasty techniques may be used to improve definition and overall balance.
If cartilage is taken from the ears, the incisions are placed in the crease of the ear and hidden. The cartilage harvest technique from the ear, in most cases, will not alter the appearance of the outer ear in any way.
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What Is Secondary Rhinoplasty Recovery Like?
After your surgery, Dr. Hobgood applies a dressing to the nose. Swelling and light bruising are normal, and your nose may feel stiff or sore for up to a week. We remove any stitches a few days after the surgery. Most patients are able to return to work after 1 week (once the dressing is removed). You should avoid strenuous activities, however, for 2 to 3 weeks. It’s essential to not participate in any activity for 8 weeks that may bump or injure the nose. Most swelling will fade within 2 weeks, but it can take up to 1 year for all swelling to dissipate. Read this blog post to learn more about what to expect during your recovery.
Other factors involved in your revision rhinoplasty recovery include:
Pain management:
Even though most patients feel congestion rather than pain, you can use medication for the first few days to manage discomfort.
Surgical dressings:
We provide instructions regarding caring for surgical dressings and nose casts; follow them closely. Dr. Hobgood will remove your bandages and nasal cast or splint at a follow-up appointment about 7 to 10 days after your surgery. Keeping your nose dry helps keep the cast secure. The cast loosens as your swelling goes down.
Incision care:
Use hydrogen peroxide and an antibacterial ointment to keep the surgical area clean.
Return to work/school:
You should plan on taking 7 to 10 days off from nonstrenuous work or school.
Swelling & bruising:
Expect swelling and bruising to peak 3 to 4 days after surgery. You’ll notice a significant decrease in both conditions in 3 to 4 weeks.
Go out in public:
Even though each person’s comfort level differs, most patients feel ready to go out in public in about 2 weeks. By then, the swelling is much less noticeable.
Resume activity:
In general, resuming activity after a revision rhinoplasty takes about the same time as with a primary rhinoplasty. Although everyone’s experience differs slightly, here is a typical timeline:
- Nonstrenuous activities: 2 weeks
- Vigorous activities: 4 to 6 weeks
- Activities that risk impact to the nose: 8 weeks (until cleared)
See results:
Improvements begin to emerge about 3 to 4 weeks after surgery as swelling dissipates.
Final results
As with your primary rhinoplasty, you can expect subtle changes to continue to develop for at least one year. Swelling can flare up, but it’s typically not something to worry about. Swelling takes about 1 to 2 years to go away completely, especially in the tip.
Are You a Candidate for Revision Rhinoplasty?
A good candidate for this procedure is physically healthy with realistic expectations about the results of the revision surgery. The candidate is unhappy with the function or appearance of the nose after the initial nose surgery. Revision surgery cannot be performed immediately after primary surgery, as the nose requires between 6 and 12 months for all swelling to resolve.
Revision Rhinoplasty FAQ
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Does insurance cover the cost of secondary rhinoplasty?
- Secondary surgery performed after an initial rhinoplasty is not covered by insurance. Even if patients develop breathing issues, only a part of the surgery would be considered for insurance coverage. Essentially, no external appearance changes are covered by insurance carriers.
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Does revision rhinoplasty surgery leave scars?
- If the closed or endonasal rhinoplasty technique is used, all incisions will be inside of the nose with no visible scarring. With open or external rhinoplasty, a very small incision is made under the tip of the nose. This results in a very small, fine scar that is well hidden and that fades in time.
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What happens 10 years after rhinoplasty?
- If your rhinoplasty was performed with sound surgical technique and structural support, your results should remain stable even a decade later. That said, natural aging continues, and in some cases, minor irregularities may become more noticeable over time. Patients sometimes consider revision rhinoplasty years later if they experience significant cosmetic or functional changes.
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How soon can I return to work after revision nasal surgery?
- Most patients are able to return to work 1 week after the surgery. Strenuous activity, however, should be avoided for 2 to 3 weeks.
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What’s the success rate of revision rhinoplasty?
- Up to 15% of first-time rhinoplasty procedures require revision surgery, so it’s understandable to wonder about the success rate of revision rhinoplasty. The average success rate is about 80%, but that includes all surgeons. The rate is much higher for patients who undergo revision rhinoplasty with an expert. It’s also important to have realistic expectations about the results of revision rhinoplasty.
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Why is revision rhinoplasty so difficult to perform?
- Rhinoplasty is considered the most technically demanding plastic surgery procedure for surgeons. Revision rhinoplasty is even more complex for a number of reasons. Scar tissue develops after the initial surgery, making it more complicated to shape the nose during revision. Many cases require cartilage to be grafted and nasal structures rebuilt, which demands a level of surgical skill that is acquired only through advanced training and experience. Thorough preoperative examination and surgical planning are the keys to achieving ideal outcomes. Nearly half of the hundreds of rhinoplasty procedures Dr. Hobgood performs each year are revision cases.
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Does a nose job change your face a lot?
- A nose job can change your face noticeably, but the goal is to bring better balance and harmony rather than make you look like someone else. Revision rhinoplasty can help refine your features if you are unhappy with your initial results.
Ready To Get Started?
Discover how a revision rhinoplasty can refresh your look by scheduling your visit today. Request a consultation online or call Hobgood Facial Plastic Surgery at (480) 214-9955 to start your journey.
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Reviewed for clinical accuracy by Dr. Todd C. Hobgood on May 6th, 2026.