What is the difference between rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty? i'm looking into getting my nose done for cosmetic reasons. i've seen both of these as common procedures but don't know the difference. can you give a basic "layman's" answer?

The : The basic difference between a regular rhinoplasty and a revision rhinoplasty is that a revision is done after having had a prior rhinoplasty. A revision is performed to correct or improve upon the results from the pior surgery or surgeries. A revision rhinoplasty is usually more complicated than the initial surgery but otherwise they can both address the same concerns.

The : The first rhinoplasty a person has would be considered to be a "primary" rhinoplasty even though you are "revising" the nose. Any subsequent procedures on the nose to "revise" or re-do the original would be considered to be a "revision" rhinoplasty. A revision rhinoplasty may entail a very minor adjustment such as shaving a small bit of cartilage or bone or it may be a complete re-do that could be more complicated than the original surgery. It is important that revision surgery be performed by qualified plastic surgeions who are experienced with revision rhinoplasty.

A : A rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure to change the external appearance of the nose. Occasionally this first procedure does not obtain the desired result that both the patient and the plastic surgeon were looking for. In this situation another procedure would be performed to correct or "revise" the first operation hence the name "revision rhinoplasty". The revision rhinoplasty or "secondary" rhinoplasty is usually more difficult than the first surgery since there usually is a lot of scar tissue from the first operation.

Easy answer: The rhinoplasty is a first operation. A revision is a second or third or fourth operation to change the result of a primary rhinoplasty.

Primary: Rhinoplasty is surgery to reshape the nose. Revision rhinoplasty is a redo rhinoplasty if the first one did not provide optimal results.