Can I fix rib cartilage rhinoplasty? Nose is crooked, there's a small hump & cartilage is visible (Photos)

Question

I had a revision rhinoplasty with rib cartilage placed into my nose about a year ago and I’m looking for a second opinion on its look. My nose is still crooked from the 3/4th angle and has a small hump from the profile, however, I feel that the rib cartilage is really visible from the front view. I am not happy with this nose and am considering a third revision - is this fixable?

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Hi @mraiden. Thank you for sharing your photos. I recommend seeing an expert revision rhinoplasty specialist for an in person examination. There are options for you that can be determined after examination.

Best of luck,

Dr. Nima

David M. Kowalczyk, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Good Morning! Yes, you can definitely improve the bridge especially if a graft from rib was taken. Was it your own rib? Younger rib has a tendency to curve long-term if certain techniques are not employed to keep it straight. A revision would likely entail removing the graft and reshaping it if possible. Otherwise, a new graft would need to be made. I will often employ some form of camouflage graft on top of a dorsal rib graft to reduce the likelihood of imperfections. These grafts would come from the perichondrium of the rib or temporalis fascia. Some would suggest DCF but it can also be very unpredictable. Hope that helps you!

Joseph Shvidler, MD · Answer

Your nose looks really nice. I certainly see what you are talking about and it is hard to know what your nose looked like before surgery without looking at the before pictures. I share my view with many other surgeons on this forum in that perfection may not always be achieved. It is important to have realistic expectations when going in for surgery. There is no perfect symmetry in nature and minor asymmetries and irregularities may be part of normal beauty spectrum. Having said that, you may ask your surgeon if a small amount of filler and minor shave of the cartilage through the skin can be possible. I don't think it would be worth it for you to go through a revision rhinoplasty.

Can I fix rib cartilage rhinoplasty? Nose is crooked, there's a small hump & cartilage is visible (Photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Revision Rhinoplasty

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Can I fix rib cartilage rhinoplasty? Nose is crooked, there's a small hump & cartilage is visible (Photos)

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Revision Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.