Dr. Chuang-Hsiang KAO (Taiwan) - Revision Rhinoplasty + Rib Graft

Dr. Kao improved upon the following;

- Breathing aspect is dually functional. Internal and external swelling is restricting the breathing capacities and healing crusts still lodged inside;
- The side profile is much more harmonic opposed to the flattened appearance;
- The tip has more construction, sturdiness, lift, and most importantly definition;
- The asymmetric slope was reshaped evenly
- The bone was straightened using the rib cartilage

Today was the splint and sutures removal by Dr. Kao's team. Side note: The nose is still freshly swollen and thick and my diet is not helping with the swelling (eating Pizza and foods with loads of sodium). Try to avoid as much sodium intake as possible as its liquid retention properties will make the nose look bigger for longer during its healing and will slow down the time it takes to do away with the swelling completely. Although I was aware of this already, I was terrible at finding local or healthier choices.

Once Dr. Kao removed the splint and tape and handed the mirror to myself, my first impression in the reflection was UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!! Dr. Kao improved upon the following;

- Breathing aspect is dually functional. Internal and external swelling is restricting the breathing capacities and healing crusts still lodged inside;
- The side profile is much more harmonic opposed to the flattened appearance;
- The tip has more construction, sturdiness, lift, and most importantly definition;
- The asymmetric slope was reshaped evenly
- The bone was straightened using the rib cartilage

The rib is the only pain you will bear hardship if Dr. Kao qualifies you as a suitable candidate for this surgery. Hard to move and hard to do many things most take for granted. It is IMPOSSIBLE to do rib rhinoplasty if you do not have a carer as you will be heavily limited in movement and pain can be excruciating if you attempt doing things alone. For example, sitting up on your bed, taking your shirt off and even coughing. After my 4th or 5th day post surgery, my rib was making remarkable improvements because I was putting cautious and tolerable amounts of stress on it by mobilising and walking from the first day.

The aftercare is fairly simple and Dr. Kao's team were constantly emailing to check on my status of recovery and providing suggestions - a neglected deed of my surgery in Australia. As cosmetic surgeries are expensive, it's reassuring to see when Dr. Kao and his clinic are more inclined to customer service levels than a cash-grab.

I still have two sutures that remain in my nose for reassurance which will be taken out in 3 days. I will not be positing this update as nothing will change but I am happy to accomodate to further enquiries. I will be positing monthly updates to keep everyone informed.

In a subjective and objective perspective, Dr. Kao's merits and his team are far and few. I have not come across a rhinoplasty surgeon who equals and hones their craft like Dr. Kao who practices it in his highest capacity. The outcome could not have been any better than it is. What I thought was possible and what I thought was no longer possible from previous trauma, Dr. Kao achieved on this surgery. The very least I can do is share my experience in hopes it serves as a decision maker for someone else to start preparing for their surgery.

The clinic is quietly tucked amongst a bustling district and the entrance is not easily visible. The clinic is accessed via an elevator which did major sketchy as well as bumping into Dr. Kao on the way up. Once we reached the floor, it was not as comforting to walk inside because of the condition of the building maintenance. All the research and expectations I had for this place slowly becoming turning into my biggest nightmare. The clinic is more of a home than a clinic.

It was not until the receptionist greeted us inside and her interpersonal skills changed everything. As fast as I doubted the clinics location and feel upon arriving, I quickly became overwhelmed with reassurance that this 100% the place I was comfortable with undergoing my rhinoplasty.

With a quick scan of the place, I saw a two shelves almost over capacity with Dr. Kao's qualifications, achievements and recognition from his symposiums - everything proved to be legitimate. The receptionist sat myself down with the application to fill and while she was guiding me through it (parts of it in Chinese), she was conversing about my time in Taipei and current situation enabling a better understanding.

The consultation with Dr. Kao followed not long after and my initial impressions of him were relatively positive. He ran through through everything from bottom to top, left to right; digital imaging predictions and a previous case which looked impressive. He concluded the recommendation of rhinoplasty with rib cartilage that would take a total of 5 hours - my case was no easy undertaking.

All in all, I was extremely comfortable with Dr. Kao's recommendation, skillset, staff expertise and my own judgement.