Your concern is a very valid one and this is a very good question. As we all age, portions of our rib cartilage do calcify and become much more like bone and as a result are less than ideal as a source of cartilage for nasal surgery. If a surgeon were to start your procedure and find that your rib cartilage is calcified, you will have undergone an unnecessary procedure that leaves a scar and can be quite painful for some time as you heal. Moreover, during the procedure your surgeon would then need to find some other source to reconstruct and lengthen and counter-rotate your nose. At my practice, we have operated on many patients wanting rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty well into their 60s and even 70s who are in good health. We have performed countless revision cases using cadaveric rib cartilage with great, long lasting results, and offer this option to patients instead of using their own rib cartilage. I recommend visiting a board-certified facial plastic surgeon or general plastic surgeon with a special expertise in revision rhinoplasty.