Gore-tex rhinoplasty recovery issues (Photo)

Tissue from your own body (autologous grafts) will give you a safer, more permanent result than synthetic implants. While en bloc cartilage grafts, especially from the rib, can warp over time, there are ways to eliminate this problem.  Especially for dorsal augmentation (building up the bridge) using cartilage that is finely diced and wrapped in fascia taken from your scalp can be made into a custom size and shape for your particular nose (DCF). By dicing the cartilage the problem of warping is eliminated, and since it is tissue from your own body, it quickly becomes incorporated into your nose within 2-3 weeks. Results are certainly surgeon dependent, so it's important to do your research in finding a rhinoplasty specialist. 

Thanks for the question and photos.Most board-certified plastic and ENT facial plastic surgeons have moved away from Gore-Tex and other prosthetic augmentation techniques on the nose. Diced cartilage/fascia grafts, using your own tissues, generally provide more long-lasting and safer augmentation. The body has an ability to better remodel this tissue into living cartilage which incorporates with your native nose tissues, rather than trying to heal an implant in place. You should discuss your concerns with your surgeon as it is unlikely that deviation present at this time from a prosthesis would change; the photos may be misleading, though, as only the frontal view seems to show much information about some asymmetric healing.

The gold standard in dorsal augmentation rhinoplasty is not Gore Tex; I have been removing the Gore Tex and Silicone dorsal implants for years and replacing them with a stable, smooth diced rib cartilage graft. This is the Gold Standard today. The implant that your were provided is not only crooked but also too large giving you a hump look which is not desirable. Even when placed correctly, longterm complication is that it inevitably fails and requires removal.

Relatively few surgeons use Gortex in rhinoplasty surgery. I suggest you contact your surgeon re this problem which has occurred shortly after the operation.

Dear sansnom, Most surgeons do not use Gore-Tex for rhinoplasty any longer and prefer to use other materials like cartilage for grafting. At this point you need to speak with your surgeon and discuss your concerns. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.