Bad Nose Job: How to Fix Botched Rhinoplasty?

A good nose job aims to create a natural-looking and harmonious balance between the nose and the rest of the face. However, if a nose job procedure goes wrong, it can result in an unnatural or disproportionate appearance that can be very noticeable and detract from the person's overall appearance. This can be due to various factors, such as excessive tissue removal, poor placement of grafts, or inadequate consideration of the patient's facial features and proportions.

What Is Considered a Bad Nose Job?

A bad nose job, also known as a botched rhinoplasty, refers to a nose job that results in unsatisfactory cosmetic or functional outcomes that may require revision rhinoplasty surgery. It counts as a bad rhinoplasty if the nose job results in an asymmetrical or disproportionate nose, a nose that is too big or too small in the context of the face, and difficulty breathing due to a blocked nasal passage or collapsed nostrils.

It is recommended that patients experiencing any of the above symptoms after a nose job surgery consult their surgeon and discuss the revision options. Read on to learn more about bad rhinoplasty, its sign, and how to fix it.

Signs of a Bad Nose Job

The signs of a botched rhinoplasty may not be immediately apparent after the procedure. Sometimes, it may take several weeks or even months for the full results of the procedure to become apparent.

Common bad rhinoplasty results may be as follows:

• Pinched nose
• Too-low nasal bridge
• Upturned nose
• Unbalanced bridge and nose tip 
• Too wide or too large nostrils
• Difficulty breathing

A pinched nose

A pinched nose may occur when the cosmetic surgeon removes too much cartilage (internal nostril skin) from the outside of the nostrils or reduces the cartilage inside the tip of the nose too much. 

This can result in a narrowed appearance of the nose that may be disproportionate to the rest of the face. In addition to the cosmetic concerns of a pinched nose, it can cause breathing problems due to the excessively narrowed nostrils.

A scooped profile or the too-low nasal bridge

A "scooped" profile is commonly used to describe a nose over-reduced during a nose job. This can occur when the surgeon shaves away too much cartilage or removes too much tissue from the inside of the nose, resulting in a concave appearance along the bridge of the nose. A scooped profile can have both aesthetic and functional consequences.

An upturned nose at an unnatural angle or too high tip of the nose

An upturned nose at an odd or unnatural angle can occur when the cosmetic surgeon removes too much tissue from the front of the septum in an attempt to raise the nose. This can give the appearance of a "pig snout," which will be a significant aesthetic concern for patients. 

Correcting an upturned nose can be more complex and challenging than fixing the other issues arising from a botched rhinoplasty.

The bridge and tip of the nose are of the same width

The ideal, balanced, natural-looking nose usually has a wider nasal tip than the bridge - known as the tip-to-bridge ratio. An experienced surgeon should know this relationship during rhinoplasty surgery to achieve a natural-looking result. If the surgeon disregards this fact and removes too much tissue from the tip of the nose, it can result in a nose that appears too narrow or pinched.

Too wide or too large nostrils

One of the signs of a botched nose job is nostrils that appear too wide or too large. This can happen when the surgeon shortens the nose excessively or when they do not recognize that the floor of the nostrils is too wide and needs to be narrowed.

Difficulty breathing

Difficulty breathing is a common and serious sign of a bad nose job. The nose plays a crucial role in breathing, and any changes made to its structure during rhinoplasty may affect the patient's ability to breathe correctly.

Excessive removal of nasal cartilage, or the creation of an overly narrow nasal passage, can lead to a blocked nasal passage or collapsed nostrils, making it difficult for air to pass through the nose. In some cases, the nasal septum may also become deviated or displaced during the rhinoplasty procedure, which causes the airway to be obstructed.

How to Avoid Getting a Bad Nose Job?

Getting a nose job is a major decision that should not be taken lightly. While there is always a risk of complications with any surgery, there are steps patients can take to minimize their risk of getting a bad nose. 

First, choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon with rhinoplasty experience is important by checking their credentials, patient reviews, and before-and-after photos. 

Patients should also ensure their surgeon understands their goals and expectations for the procedure. They should ask questions and express any concerns about the surgery. 

Furthermore, people undergoing nose job surgery should follow pre and post-operative instructions and nose job aftercare provided by the plastic surgeon to ensure the best possible outcome.

Rhinoplasty is a complex surgery that requires time and patience for the final results to become apparent. So it is recommended that patients not rush the healing process or become overly concerned with the initial appearance of their nose.

How Common Are Botched Nose Jobs?

The chances of getting a bad-nose job are relatively low, ranging from 5-15%. A small percentage of patients may require revision surgeries to correct unsatisfactory results.

What Is a Revision Rhinoplasty?

Revision rhinoplasty is a complex surgical procedure to correct unsatisfactory results or complications that may have occurred after a previous nose job. 

During revision rhinoplasty, the surgeon must carefully evaluate the patient's anatomy and initial bad nose job results to determine the best approach for correcting the issues.  

Depending on the patient's needs, revision rhinoplasty may involve reshaping the nose, rebuilding the nasal structure, or correcting functional issues such as breathing difficulties.

Read more: Is Revision Rhinoplasty Dangerous?

How Long to Wait for Revision Rhinoplasty?

The timing for revision rhinoplasty, or secondary rhinoplasty, can vary depending on the individual case and the specific reasons for revision. In general, it is recommended that patients wait at least a year after the initial nose job before considering revision surgery. This allows sufficient time for the nose to heal and for any swelling or scar tissue to subside, making it easier for the surgeon to evaluate the nose and plan for any necessary revisions.

However, in some cases, revision rhinoplasty may be necessary sooner than one year after the initial procedure. For instance, in case the patient is experiencing significant breathing difficulties or other functional issues, early revision surgery may be necessary to correct the problem and improve the patient's quality of life.

Revision Rhinoplasty in Iran

Iran has gained a reputation as a medical tourism hub, especially in plastic surgery. The country boasts highly skilled and experienced surgeons specializing in rhinoplasty, making it an attractive choice for patients seeking revision surgeries.

One of the main reasons patients choose Iran for performing revision rhinoplasty is the expertise of Iranian surgeons in this particular procedure. 

Moreover, revision rhinoplasty in Iran is more affordable than in other countries, such as the United States or Europe. 

Additionally, clinics and hospitals in Iran are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and resources, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care during their revision rhinoplasty procedures.

Nose job in Iran

Conclusion

A bad nose job can cause cosmetic or functional issues like breathing difficulties, asymmetry, over-reduction, over-augmentation, etc. This could be due to various factors, such as choosing an unqualified surgeon, inadequate communication between the patient and surgeon, unrealistic expectations, or unexpected changes to the patient's facial structure during the healing process. 

In these cases, revision rhinoplasty may be necessary to achieve the desired outcome and ensure the nose looks natural and balanced with the rest of the face.