RE: Seeking Rhinoplasty Revision Surgeon (PSAdmin)

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:47:34 GMT

GardellaJ,

I'm terribly sorry to hear about your bad experiences with your rhinoplasty procedures and would love to offer any additional help possible. Unfortunately we do not have any kind of recommendations or feedback in regards to the doctors you mentioned. However, reputable doctors usually have a list of references if you request it.

Please feel free to come back and let us know how your consultation goes, perhaps you can be the first to give feedback for one of these doctors here in the forums!

Seeking Rhinoplasty Revision Surgeon (gardellaj)

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:51:13 GMT

Hi there: I live in Michigan and in 2005 underwent rhinoplasty surgery. I had a large nose that I was teased about my entire life. As a woman, it was very painful to endure the teasing, even though I'm a pretty strong person. I'm part Italian and a larger nose definitely runs in my dad's side of the family. I finally had the time and the funds to undergo surgery. Less than six months after my initial surgery it was obvious that something was not right. My nose was collapsing on the right side. When I blew my nose it felt as if cartilege was tearing away. It was a very scary experience. My intitial surgeon brushed me off and told me nothing was wrong each time I went to see him. My family could even see that something wasn't right. I had chosen this original surgeon after quite a bit of research.

One year after the initialy surgery I had a revision performed by a plastic surgeon, who came highly recommend. He really did fix the structural issues. However, I have very pronounced and hanging columella (spelling?) and the cartilege over each nostril is uneven. I went back to the surgeon a few months ago. He said the graft used over my leftside is too large. The graft over the right side did not adhere and is almost looks as though I have a flesh colored mole over my right nostril and there's a lack of cartilege over my right nostril. It's been two years since that revision operation. Heavy sighs.

My local revision surgeon is willing to take a crack at fixing the irregularities, however, I'm not entirely comfortable with this. He said he can try to fix things in a closed procedure, which surprised me. In all of my research it seems most revisions are open procedures.

When I had my nose done the first time - I wanted just that - the first time only - done deal. More than one surgery s is nothing I anticipated or wished for and has left a mild fog of despair.

I'm now researching surgeons, who are supposedly known for top-notch revision work out of state (again, I live in Michigan). I'm willinng to travel to get the best outcome possible.

I'm looking at Dr. Dean Toriumi (Chicago), Dr. Jason Diaomon (LA), Dr. Paul Nassif (LA), or possibly a Dr. Richard Davis in Florida.

It was a HUGE decision to have the surgery in the first place. I never imagined it wouldn't work out well and that I'd need additional surgery. If I have this revised one more time; I really want this to be the finish line.

Do any of the surgeons I mentioned sound familiar to you? If so, what have you heard? I thought Dr. Toriumi was supposed to be the best, but have read very mixed reviews - both extremes - extremely satisified patients and extremely dissatisfied. I spoke with Dr. Diamond over the phone and got a great impression. He seemed extremely intelligent, seems to have a very good amount of experience with revision work, and probably spent an hour with me over the phone. I'm considering flying to LA for a consultation with him.

Any advise, recommendations, words of wisdom on choosing a surgeon and any surgeons you would recommend - it's all welcome. Thank you in advance!