# Revision Rhinoplasty > Revision rhinoplasty in Istanbul: structural correction of a previous nose operation with your own cartilage, by ENT surgeon Op. Dr. Cenk Teker. Timing, grafts, recovery. Source: https://www.drcenkteker.com/en/procedures/revision-rhinoplasty/ Updated: 2026-10-29 Rhinoplasty A second operation planned to correct what the first one left behind, by rebuilding structure. [Message on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/905324153539) [Call the practice](tel:+905324153539) Performed by Op. Dr. Cenk Teker Operation time 3–4 hours or more Anaesthesia General Hospital stay 1 night Back to work 10–14 days Final result 12–18 months A revision [rhinoplasty](https://www.drcenkteker.com/en/procedures/rhinoplasty/) is an operation on a nose that has already been operated on. Patients come because the shape did not turn out as hoped, because a good early result changed as swelling went down, or because breathing became worse. Many of them are anxious, having already been through one recovery, and the first job of the consultation is a calm and honest assessment of what can realistically be improved. Revision is more complex than a first rhinoplasty. Scar tissue has replaced the natural planes between skin and cartilage, some cartilage has usually been removed, and the skin may be thinner or tethered. This is why Dr. Teker treats revision as a reconstruction rather than a refinement. The first question is what has to be put back, before any tissue is taken away. ## Common reasons for revision Over-reduction. Too much of the bridge or tip was removed, leaving a scooped profile, a pinched tip or a nose that looks too short. Under-correction. A hump or a wide bridge is still visible, or an asymmetry remains. Loss of support. The tip has dropped, the side walls collapse when you breathe in, or a visible step known as an inverted V has appeared on the bridge. Pollybeak. Fullness above the tip that makes the profile look convex, caused by scar tissue or a residual hump. Breathing problems. Narrowing of the internal valve after the bridge was lowered. ## Why grafts matter Almost every revision needs cartilage. It restores the height of the bridge, supports the tip and holds the nasal valves open. The patient’s own tissue is usually used: the septum first, ear cartilage for small and flexible grafts, and rib cartilage when a strong straight framework has to be rebuilt. Rib is taken through a short incision that usually heals to a fine line. ## Timing and expectations Dr. Teker prefers to wait at least a year after the previous operation. Swelling in the tip continues to change for that long, and operating on a nose that is still settling means chasing a moving target. At the consultation you will hear a clear opinion, including when a revision is unlikely to help; some noses are better left alone, and saying so is part of the job. Recovery is slightly longer than after a first operation and swelling lasts longer, but the aim is the same as for any rhinoplasty: a nose that suits your face and breathes well. ## Is it right for you? - A previous rhinoplasty left a visible irregularity: a pinched or drooping tip, a hump that returned, a dip or a step on the bridge. - Your nose looks over-reduced, scooped or too short after surgery. - Breathing became worse after the first operation. - The nose is crooked or the tip has collapsed on one side. - At least 12 months have passed since the last operation, so the tissues have settled. ## How the operation is done 1. Analysis of the previous operation Dr. Teker examines the nose inside and out, goes through any old operation notes and photographs, and identifies what is missing: cartilage, support, symmetry or airway. 2. Choosing the graft source If enough septal cartilage remains it is used first. Otherwise cartilage is taken from the ear or, for larger reconstructions, a short segment of rib. 3. Open approach Revision is almost always done through the open technique so that scar tissue can be released and every structure seen directly. 4. Rebuilding the framework Weak or missing cartilage is replaced with grafts that restore the bridge, support the tip and hold the nasal valves open. 5. Refinement and camouflage Small irregularities are smoothed and, where the skin is thin, a thin layer of fascia or crushed cartilage evens the surface. 6. Closing and splint Fine stitches close the incisions; a splint protects the nose for a week. If rib cartilage was used, a small dressing covers that site. ## Recovery, step by step 1. Day 1 Similar to a first rhinoplasty, with a splint and congestion. If ear or rib cartilage was taken, that area is sore for a few days. 2. Week 1 Splint and stitches removed around day 7. Bruising is often less than expected, as the bones are not always moved again. 3. Weeks 2–4 Swelling settles more slowly than after a first operation because scar tissue holds fluid. You can return to work. 4. Month 3 The bridge is largely final; the tip remains firm and slightly swollen. Massage or small injections may be advised for stubborn swelling. 5. Months 12–18 Revision noses take longer to reach their final shape. The last softening and definition appear over the second year. ### A note on risks Revision surgery is more demanding than a first rhinoplasty because scar tissue, missing cartilage and thinner skin change how tissues heal. Besides the general risks of bleeding, infection and anaesthesia, there is a higher chance of prolonged swelling, of small asymmetries and of needing a further minor touch-up. Grafts can occasionally shift or be felt through thin skin. Dr. Teker will tell you honestly if a revision is unlikely to improve your nose, because not operating is sometimes the right advice. In every surgical or interventional procedure, results may vary from person to person. Please obtain a detailed opinion from your physician before any procedure. ## Questions patients ask **How long should I wait after my first rhinoplasty?** Usually at least 12 months. Swelling, especially in the tip, keeps changing for a year, and operating earlier means correcting a shape that is still moving. **Where does the cartilage for the grafts come from?** From your own body. The septum is used first when enough remains; otherwise cartilage from the ear or a small piece of rib. Rib gives the strongest support for larger rebuilds. **Can a revision fix my breathing as well?** It can. Breathing problems after rhinoplasty usually come from a narrowed valve or a weakened side wall, and the grafts used to restore shape are also meant to open the airway. **Will the result be final this time?** The aim of a structural revision is a stable, lasting result. No surgeon can promise perfection, and a further touch-up is sometimes needed; rebuilding support rather than simply removing tissue is how stability is sought. Travelling from abroad? How long to stay in Istanbul, the consultation in person and follow-up after you fly home: [International patients](https://www.drcenkteker.com/en/international-patients/) ## References 1. Ishii LE, Tollefson TT, Basura GJ, Rosenfeld RM, Abramson PJ, Chaiet SR, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Improving Nasal Form and Function after Rhinoplasty. Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. 2017;156(S2). [doi:10.1177/0194599816683153](https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599816683153). 2. Neaman KC, Boettcher AK, Do VH, Mulder C, Baca M, Renucci JD, et al. Cosmetic Rhinoplasty: Revision Rates Revisited. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2013;33(1):31‑37. [doi:10.1177/1090820X12469221](https://doi.org/10.1177/1090820X12469221). Medically reviewed by Op. Dr. Cenk Teker, 26 October 2026 ## Articles on this subject [Revision Rhinoplasty · 5 min read Revision rhinoplasty: when and why a second operation is done Why a second nose operation is sometimes needed, why surgeons usually wait about a year, what is assessed, and where cartilage grafts come from. Read more](https://www.drcenkteker.com/en/blog/revision-rhinoplasty-when-and-why/) [Rhinoplasty · 4 min read Rhinoplasty recovery, week by week: from day one to the final result A realistic healing timeline after rhinoplasty: the first night, splint removal, when you can work, exercise and fly, and how long the tip takes to settle. Read more](https://www.drcenkteker.com/en/blog/rhinoplasty-recovery-week-by-week/) [Rhinoplasty · 4 min read Hygiene and cleaning after rhinoplasty: what to do in the first weeks How to rinse the nose, wash your face, shower and care for tapes and stitches after rhinoplasty, and the everyday mistakes that slow healing. Read more](https://www.drcenkteker.com/en/blog/hygiene-and-cleaning-after-rhinoplasty/) ## Related procedures [Rhinoplasty Rhinoplasty Reshaping the nose so that it fits the face and breathes well, planned around your own features. Read more](https://www.drcenkteker.com/en/procedures/rhinoplasty/) [Rhinoplasty Ethnic Rhinoplasty Rhinoplasty that respects the features of your heritage instead of erasing them. Planned for thicker skin, softer cartilage and the proportions of your own face. Read more](https://www.drcenkteker.com/en/procedures/ethnic-rhinoplasty/) [Nose & sinus Septoplasty (Deviated Septum Surgery) Straightening a deviated septum, the wall inside the nose, to open a blocked airway. A short operation for breathing only, done through the nostrils with no external incisions; the shape of the nose is not expected to change. Read more](https://www.drcenkteker.com/en/procedures/septoplasty-deviation-surgery/) [All procedures](https://www.drcenkteker.com/en/procedures/) ## Talk it through with Dr. Teker Write on WhatsApp or call to request an appointment. Consultations take place at the practice in Bakırköy. [Message on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/905324153539) [+90 532 415 35 39](tel:+905324153539) [Send a request](https://www.drcenkteker.com/en/contact/)