Is there a way to do a costal cartilage graft without my breasts being visible, or touched, during the procedure?

Question

I apologize if this is an odd question, but I'm very concerned about my modesty during a Costal Cartilage Graft for a rhinoplasty. It looks like the surgeon will need to expose my breasts during this procedure if they need to harvest cartilage from my ribs for my rhinoplasty. Is there a way to do a costal cartilage graft without my breasts being visible, or touched, during the procedure? Is it possible to wear some sort of bra, and the surgeon choose a lower rib? Any help would be appreciated!

Yash Avashia, MD · Answer

Yes! Often times in revision or secondary rhinoplasty cases, you need support from costal cartilage. Traditional techniques involved using your own cartilage, but that will include an incision under your breasts and the whole dissection and its associated post-op pain. Another great option is using Fresh Frozen Rib Cartilage Allograft. This is made by the company MTF and they bank cadaveric costal cartilage and process it to create sheets for surgeons to use. The benefits are NO scars on your breast because you don't need to remove your own cartilage. It also speeds the surgery up as well because the cartilage is ready to go from the box. I use MTF cartilages for all my revision rhinoplasty cases and have found them to be very reliable.

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

I can understand and respect your concern of your modesty.
However during the physical examination and planning for surgery, your doctor needs to examine those body parts that assure good placement of the incision, and good field exposure to assure the best plan and results. That will include, in your case exposing the infra-mammary line and marking it which will include moving the breast to properly visualize the position of the incision.
In the operating room the field of surgery will extend beyond the planned incision to assure sterility of the field of surgery, and adequate exposure for performing the surgery in a safe and optimal situation.
In the operating room your modesty and body is treated with ultimate respect for your body and modesty. Your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon will treat you with ultimate respect for you , your body, and your modesty. but need to assure your safety, and best surgical plan. That is true also with the operating room staff.

Is there a way to do a costal cartilage graft without my breasts being visible, or touched, during the procedure?

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Is there a way to do a costal cartilage graft without my breasts being visible, or touched, during the procedure?

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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