Cartilage or Implants for Rhinoplasty?

There are a number of factors that determine what a surgeon chooses to raise up the bridge (or dorsum) of the nose. Cartilage from your septum may work. Other choices are solid silicone (I personally never use this), Gortex (i use this sometimes). A wonderful procedure that is getting more popular is dicing up your own cartilage from your septum and from a hidden part of your ear and wrapping it in what is called fascia (natural tissue of your own as well).
You should see a rhinoplasty specialist to discuss the options for rhinoplasty and augmentation to see what is best for you. Nothing beats a personal exam.

In my opinion cartilage is the best choice for bridge augmentation in Rhinoplasty. My reasons for utilizing this approach are:


the cost of using cartilage is usually less than when using a silicone implant

less of a complication with the possible extrusion of the silicone implant

less of a potential problem with infection

using ones own tissue is much better that using a synthetic implant

some states require the patient to be 18 or older in order to receive a silicone implant

Dear Missglamour842,

 

Unfortunately your picture did not upload but in general we tell patients not to make decisions regarding their face and especially their nose based on the cost difference. You really should look for a surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty and have a discussion in depth with them regarding the risks and benefits of all your options and exactly what they would recommend and do for you.

 

In our own practice we find computer imaging is a great resource in making sure that we are on the same page with our patients and that we understand exactly what their goals are.

 

As for your specific questions, we generally tell women that from a physical standpoint they can have surgery as early as 2-3 years after they start their menstrual cycle. However, you also want to make sure that the patient is mature enough to both undergo surgery as well as to understand what the goals of surgery are, ie do they really know how they want to look. As for silicone vs your own cartilage, whenever possible in every surgery most rhinoplasty surgeons would agree that your own tissues are best.

 

Regards,

Peyman Solieman, MD