Will Removing Rhinoplasty Grafts Restore Nose to Original Look?

asked 2 years ago by Arvin in Denver, Colorado
Latest answer by Sigmund L. Sattenspiel, MD
Question viewed 752 times
Tags: expectation, removal, rib graft

I had a rhinoplasty with rib graft to the dorsum and the tip. I would like to have the grafts removed as my nose looks unnatural and am wondering if removing the grafts will restore my nose to the way it looked pre-surgery.

7 answers to Will Removing Rhinoplasty Grafts Restore Nose to Original Look?

Removing Nasal Grafts to Restore Original Appearance

Depending on what was done at the time your original operation, graft removal may or may not restore your original appearance. Despite your disappointment, why try to retrieve the old appearance which you did not like? With your surgeon's help discuss what would satisfy you and establish reasonable expectations.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Will Removing Rhiniplasty Grafts Restore Nose to Original Look?

When a rhinoplasty has been performed, there are alterations in the bony cartilaginous architecture. If the resulting contours are undesirable, a revision rhinoplasty can be performed to potentially improve the contours and make them more desirable. Unfortunately, the chances are, at best, minimal at restoring the nose to the original preoperative appearance.

Sigmund L. Sattenspiel, MD
Freehold Facial Plastic Surgeon

Nose will not be the same

No your nose will not the same. Of course there are several reasons to use grafts during rhioplasty. I reserve those types of grafting procedures for revision rhinoplasty surgery. they are associated with longer recovery periods secondary to swelling. Before and after photos would be useful in evaluating your results.

Robert Whitfield, MD
Milwaukee Plastic Surgeon

Nose never returns exactly to the way it looked before surgery

Implant surgery, be it in noses or breasts, is completely different the your Back and Forward Internet Explorer button on you PC screen. You CANNOT go back to exactly the same look, if you change your mind and remove the grafts/implants. This especially goes in cases where the nose was modified in other ways in addition to the graft placement. If the only procedure was a simple graft placement, you post-graft removal appearance would depend on the amount of time the graft was in place, the... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Impossible to say

I would guess that the original shape will never be achieved. Your shape may be improved by altering the grafts. It would be a shame to throw out the rib graft.

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Will Nose Return to Previous State After Rib Graft Removal?

Hi Arvin, If no other changes were made to your nose during the procedure, then removing the rib graft should restore your nose to it's previous appearance. In many instances, the graft causes scar tissue to form around it's pocket so that after the graft is removed there may be a little more volume present than previously. Good luck and be well. Dr. P

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Removing Rib Grafts in Revision Rhinoplasty

Revision or secondary rhinoplasty is one of the most challenging operations for plastic surgeons. We often employ the use of rib cartilage to help rebuild or reshape a nose and not uncommonly, this is performed in Asian or African American noses to build a stronger bridge at the first operation. Any rhinoplasty will leave the nose with postoperative scarring and make subsequent operations more difficult. When larger grafts are used (such as rib) often the surgeon has to "shave... more

Vincent P. Marin, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

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