How can I augment my depressed glabella?

Dear Cali4nianThere are many options for improving the glabella and nasal bridge. In your circumstances, you might benefit first from digital imaging to see if you would prefer the look of an augmented glabella, based on your certainty, then you can proceed with a temporary solution, such as fillers or proceed with permanent and surgical options such as cartilage grafts. Your other ear as well as simple fascia might be good options. Look for an experienced and well trained plastic surgeon, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (or Facial). See more than one consult and make a well informed decision.

Without photo, hard to say, but it's more likely that your nasal radix (root) is depressed than your glabella.   To see how augmentation would look, try injectable filler first such as Radiesse (calcium hydroxyapatite), Restylane, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Defyne, Juvederm Ultra Plus, Voluma, Belotero, or another hyaluronic acid product.  Although radix augmentation is a common step of rhinoplasty, because it was not accomplished at your initial procedure, hopefully, if necessary, more permanent augmentation can be achieved on a minimally invasive basis.

Augmentation of the radix can be done many ways. Fillers are a temporary means of correction and can be costly over time. Filling with your own fat (fat grafting) is an option that is more permanent. Alternatively, augmentation with alloderm or rib cartilage can be performed. Hope this helps. 

The best technique for glabellar augmentation would be either an ePTFE implant or a custom made silicone implant from a 3D CT scan. This would depend on the size and surface area of the glabellar augmentation needed. I would need to see a picture of the area you wanted augmented with its outline illustrated.

There are several options for glabella augmenation. One option is to use hyaluronic acid filler to build the bridge. If you do not like the appearance, it can be dissolved away with hyaluronidase. If you do like the appearance, it can have annual touch-ups to maintain the look or you can decide to try something more permanent such as surgery. Surgical options can include using your own fascia with or without using cartilage from your other ear or rib depending on the amount of volume needed. Alloderm is another option, however it can be cost prohibitive and also has a higher risk of resorption over time by your body. It is best to have an in-office examination to determine the best treatment options to achieve your goals. Hope this helps!Johnson C. Lee, MD Plastic Surgery