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Septorhinoplasty with Rib Graft - Beverly Hills, CA

UPDATED FROM genmaicha
9 months post

9 month update

genmaicha
WORTH IT$16,000
Wow I can't believe it's been that long already.
Thinking about my overall recovery experience since undergoing rhinoplasty, I would say swelling, tip rotation and rib sensation changed most drastically in the first three months. Looking back at the photos, I was extremely swollen and the result is a lot more natural now (especially around the radix area), and my rib is pretty much back to normal.
I had asked for a 'moderate' result and I actually think I look drastically different, and I think that's because the tip has projected a lot more. That is not necessarily a bad thing since my nose was not straight previously and quite flat, but it's something that has surprised me. I also feel that when you go through an experience like rhinoplasty, one tends to get a lot more fixated on it, whilst it actually might not be noticeable for anyone else, so that's something to be cautious about. It's not perfect, since a small dent has formed around the start of the nose tip and the more sebaceous part of the nose, but in a way it looks a bit less artificial and you can't really anticipate these kind of things. I am guilty of asking friends and family 'oh what do you think of xyz?' when they can't see it / have not noticed it until I pointed it out. Nonetheless I am super happy with the result and I don't regret doing it.

genmaicha's provider

Donald B. Yoo, MD, FACS

Donald B. Yoo, MD, FACS

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 180 Reviews
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Replies (3)

April 5, 2017
Hi thanks so much for sharing your experience. I am thinking of flying out for Dr.Yoo to do my surgery. Did you have someone travel with you to help you after the surgery? Where did you stay?
June 18, 2017
Hi! I went with my mum - I think you could be okay in an aftercare facility by yourself but having some known company always helps. I stayed in an Airbnb within walking distance to the surgery, which was helpful since I had regular check ups but it is quite easy to travel around LA anyway.
October 3, 2017
Hi , can you send me a picture from the front ? Are you happy fromt the front side? Thank you
October 6, 2017
I had the same surgery with dr. Yoo and developed infection in columella 2 months post op. My entire nose is very red and swollen . i have been taking bactrim and using mupirocin for a week but there is no noticeable improvement. Would you tell me how long take you to get rid of infection? Thanks.
October 6, 2017
Sorry to hear that :( I would say after a couple of days it cleared up, but my infection was isolated to my columella only. Maybe worth getting a second opinion if it's been a week and hasn't had much change?
October 6, 2017
Thanks for your quick reply. My infection was isolated in columella as well however I contacted Dr. Yoo’ s office three weeks ago when I started to notice the swollen and redness but they do not think I have infection because I have no pain , fever and tenderness . Until I sew a ENT in my area and he discovered the infection in the right nostrils on the base of the columella. The infection has spread to the entire nose at this point therefore the treatment is not effective. It is interesting that almost every rhynoplasty surgeon on the realself said post op infection is very very rare, normally happen in first few weeks. My ENT doctor said it happens a lot , even 10 year post op.
January 17, 2019
Hi shelleyzha, how is your nose now? Did the infection clear up? I'm scheduled to undergo revision with Dr Yoo in a week and I'm very scared after reading experiences of 4 of his patients who got infection. please reply if you can, it'll be helpful. Thanks !
February 16, 2019
I’m in the same boat, sent you a pm. Plz check .
UPDATED FROM genmaicha
1 month post

1 Month Post-Op Update

genmaicha
The swelling is still going down, but I can see the general shape of my nose which I am happy with. There were a few dents that I could feel but it disappeared as the swelling changed. The one thing I did notice was a bit of redness on the upper third of my nose but it was just redness (no swelling or pain) so I assume that this is the growth of blood vessels, since most of my augmentation grafts were in the radix. The side profile is great, but the front still is noticeably swollen to me. However, I have gone out and met a few friends and nobody has seemed to have noticed!

The scar on my scalp and rib have healed up completely and I don't feel much sensation from my temporalis fascia any more. However, I am feeling the rib a little bit when I do certain exercises, so I feel that I have to progress with my exercise a bit more slowly than usual.

As requested I have provided a picture. I apologise that it is small but I hope you can see the changes, all of which I did ask for - namely a higher radix and more projected tip. I think my new nose harmonises well with my other facial features as well.

Replies (3)

July 21, 2016
Very pretty! I had my nose done with Dr. Yoo 6 months ago and I'm also very happy with my result. My rib was also sore around 1-2 months but it gets better so hang in there.
July 21, 2016
Thank you! I'm glad that you're happy with your result too :) Do you think you're close to your final result?
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July 21, 2016
Wow! Gorgeous result! Congratulations. Was this a revision...is that why you needed rib grafts? I am having a revision soon, and will probably need rib/ear grafts. Im quite nervous, especially about the post op period (pain, discomfort, etc..) My first surgery was sooo painful and difficult.
Thanks for the details you included in your review (like the wireless bra tip).
July 21, 2016
Hi Peony! Thank you! :D It was my primary but since I needed a lot of augmentation I was told I would need rib/ear grafts. I chose rib to get the maximal result. Don't worry about pain, I would say it is more uncomfortable than anything - I still was able to walk around even on the day of surgery and most of this disappears within the first 5 days. Good luck with your revision!
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July 21, 2016
Thank you so much!
March 3, 2017
Hi! Thanks for your review. I'm from Belgium and am thinking about going to the States too for my nose job :) I'm half Asian, half Caucasian and have heard that Dr. Yoo has a lot of experience when it comes to Asian Rhinoplasty. Did you find it worth it to travel all the way there? I've also heard it's nearly impossible to get through it yourself, that you need someone there for the week/2 weeks after the surgery (a friend or boyfriend or something) to help you, how did you manage, if I may ask? X
March 4, 2017
Hi! Yes, I found the experience to be worth it. When I consulted with surgeons in the UK, they did not seem completely confident in giving me what I wanted, and some even suggested that surgeons in the States would be more experienced. However, I think it's worth considering all the costs, since Dr Yoo prefers to see his patients in person in follow-up consultations (I have had Skypes and in-person appointments) so you might have to keep flying back. Another option would be of course, to go to Korea, where they probably have the most experience with Asian anatomy, but I was concerned about the language barrier and the fact that they tend to use silastic implants.

I definitely think you require assistance from somebody during the recovery since the medications can make you feel quite lethargic, and I personally found the rib incision made it difficult to move about. If you have the spare cash, it might be worth using the after care facilities nearby - although you can manage without it. I went with my mum and I just stayed in an Airbnb, we just stocked up on all the medications and other things you need beforehand.

Hope that helps!
UPDATED FROM genmaicha
14 days post

Additional items I found useful during recovery

genmaicha
-LOTS of distilled water to clean incisions and to wash your hair
-Extra gauze
-Extra cotton buds/Q-tips
-Cotton pads. I was a bit cautious about wetting my cast so I used these to wash my face.
-Lip balm
-Straws and small spoons helped me to eat during the first few days
-Lozenges. The position of the tube for anaesthesia made my throat extremely sore for the first few days after surgery.
-A travel pillow
-Lots of button-up tops and pyjamas (not just for the day of surgery)
-A hat
-Non-wired/sports bras. I did not realise this and did not end up packing any (oops) but you cannot wear underwire bras for 3 weeks post-surgery if you are having a rib graft.

I also found it useful to make a note of the nearest pharmacies and supermarkets to where I am staying just in case I needed to top up anything and bought a UK pay-as-you-go sim and an add on which enabled me to use the phone plan (and particularly data) at no extra cost to use whilst I was abroad.

Replies (2)

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July 6, 2016
Hello did you meet with frankel and Yoo? Thanks for your post. Are you satisfied with your result? I have an appointment scheduled with sr yoo in August. I already saw dr frankel and seeing dr Kim soon
July 18, 2016
Dr Yoo is the only American doctor I consulted with. I am only one month post op so I still have swelling (mostly the tip) but the profile is so much better! I am super happy with my result so far.
June 14, 2017
Thank you for all the advice and suggestions. I love your details.