Innovative approach in revision plastic surgery

Jan 3 2011

Corrective cosmetic surgery cases are definitely on the rise. In fact, revision plastic surgery comprises nearly half of the patients Dr. Sam Rizk, Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon treats in his Park Avenue practice.  From windblown tight facelifts to ski slope shaped, pointy noses, Dr. Rizk has fixed them all. He believes in a natural looking approach when it comes to doing any facial plastic surgery. Dr. Rizk knows that every nose is as unique as every patient's face is different.

Secondary or corrective nasal surgery is almost always more complex than a primary operation, and requires a more in-depth surgical plan to address all the components of the nose. Dr. Rizk makes small alterations to straighten or refine the shape and structure of the nose as the patient requests, while preserving the original characteristics of the nose. He uses high-definition 3D computer-assisted technology to make smaller incisions and ensure greater accuracy during surgery. He uses a closed or scarless technique whenever possible, and an open approach for more complex procedures to naturally reshape the nose, and his rapid recovery methods allow patients to return to work or school in about one week.

Brenae Brenner, now 54 years old, had her first rhinoplasty surgery when she wa s 18 years old, after a disfiguring car accident. After the surgery, Brenae's nose was left with a twisted bulbous tip from the front view and a saddle nose deformity from the profile view. She lived with her nose this way for over 30 years, never wanting to look in a mirror or take pictures with family and friends www.rhinoplasty-nyc.com/2010/03/05/fox-5-national-revision-rhinoplasty-plastic-surgery-nightmares/

Brenae finally decided to have her nose fixed when she realized that her children were growing up and she wanted to be able to take photos at her son's bar mitzvah without feeling self-conscious. That's when she researched facial plastic surgeons and found Dr. Rizk, a well-known New York rhinoplasty surgeon who specializes in difficult revision cases. After meeting with Brenae, Dr. Rizk assured her that she could have an attractive nose  -- a nose she'd been wanting to have for over 30 years.

"The most common problem with redoing nasal surgery is that the first surgery is usually done with an overly aggressive approach where too much cartilage or bone was removed, which necessitates grafting of cartilage, rib or other materials," states Dr. Rizk. "For Brenae I used the 3D high-definition approach and took multiple cartilage grafts from behind her ear and from her nasal septum to build up her nose and straighten it. We were able to achieve the result she was looking for; a natural looking nose with a straight profile."

Approximately 50 percent of the rhinoplasty operations Dr. Rizk performs are corrective procedures. Of the revision surgeries, approximately 70 percent are done with the open approach and 30 percent with a closed approach. Dr. Rizk also uses suture-reshaping techniques for cartilage sculpting rather than removing additional to preserve his patients' structural support and produce a more natural look.