Why would my doctor use both rib cartilage graft and silicone implant? (photos)

Hello and thank you for your question. Silicone implants have an extremely high complication rate, and I would never recommend using them in the nose. There are many better techniques available to use for dorsal augmentation and tip augmentation. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Based on your photos, you appear to have a pleasing nasal appearance. In our practice, we utilize synthetic implants to raise somebody's nasal bridge. Additionally, we utilize cartilage grafts to reconstruct somebody's nasal tip. I hope this answers your question. Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Most plastic surgeons in the United States typically do not use foreign bodies for rhinoplasty surgery.
That means that most of us do not use silicone implants.
They are much more commonly used in Asian countries.
Silicon implants have much higher risk of getting contaminated and becoming exposed over time.
That happens in certain areas where tissues have direct pressure against the silicon implants and tissues are thin.
In these areas it would be prudent to avoid using silicone implants because if There is contamination of vascularized cartilage graft will not destroy the outcome of the procedure.
When a silicon implant becomes exposed or contaminated, it usually needs to be removed and this can cause fairly significant scar tissue making future surgery very difficult.
If you want to know why your surgeon did what they did then you’ll need to ask your provider.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD