izora

My nose skin was very tight and stretched after my revision. It has only recently gone back to normal. I'm almost one year post op, so these things do take time... skin does stretch over time. You never gave your nose a chance because you had a revision just two months after your surgery. You never even saw your final result because it takes up to two years for rib rhinoplasty. You can assume and speculate all you want that your nose wouldn't have changed with time. You may have been absolutely right, but the truth is that you'll never know now because you never gave it the chance to fully heal. However, I'm very happy for you that you got some peace of mind and satisfaction by getting a revision. I really hope you get your old smile back.

I have a question for anyone. So what's affecting your smile... paranasal implants or rhinoplasty? Perhaps paranasal implants should only be used if you really need it.

I was observing my husbands face and various expressions, and his nose does not move. His nostrils moved a little bit at times, but that was it. I think whether or not your nose moves is dependent on each individual's nose anatomy and structure.

 

Regarding augmentation materials... there is also soft silicone. Samsung Line recommended it to me. I'm not sure how much softer it is than regular silicone or how it compares to goretex. Has anyone gotten soft silicone?

I think everyone who had a nose job should be careful regardless of implant material. It's not just rib you need to be worried about since silicone and goretex can shift and cause other problems. I'm sure other materials could also be affected if the impact is hard enough.

About rib being hard and stiff... I guess if your rib cartilage is softer, than your nose won't be so hard and stiff. Everybody's result will vary, but unfortunately, there's no way of knowing beforehand. As I mentioned before, I'm used to a stiff and hard nose from silicone and ear cartilage, so I guess it doesn't really bother me. My skin used to be very tight and stretched right after my surgery at VIP, but it's gotten back to normal now. I am confused about one thing that was mentioned about rib cartilage not being meant for minimal augmentation. A foreigner I met at VIP already had a high bridge, so her bridge was only raised 2mm using rib cartilage. So I guess it can be used for minimal augmentation depending on the doctor, right? Does anyone know anything about this?

Some of you mentioned JW Clinic. I actually had an online consultation with them, and the doctor seemed really good. The Dr. wanted to use dermal fat graft for my bridge, and I seriously considered it. I changed my mind because dermal fat graft can only provide minimal augmentation, and I've heard that the results are too unpredictable due to the high absorption rate. I asked the Dr. twice to use rib on me, but he refused. I might have had surgery there otherwise. They seem like an excellent clinic to consider if your goal is a subtle change.

 

You know, I never asked Dr. Lee about the source of the contraction. All I know is that my nose was contracted, shortened, and saddle shaped. I was only 14 when I had my first nose job with silicone, so I had no idea that silicone could thin out the skin on your bridge. I found out by researching it because I noticed that my skin became thinner over the years. People with thick skin can tolerate silicone better, but that doesn't mean that there aren't any risks involved.

 

You don't need to get it replaced if you don't have any problems. I had my silicone implant for almost 19 years, and it was a very small piece. The implant became very hard and started to contract after two years. The contraction became worse over the years. I would have been fine if it weren't for the contraction, but it also turned my nose into a saddle nose. My doctor informed my mom that I might need to get the silicone replaced for longevity. I'm sure silicone implants have come a long way since then. I have thick skin too, and the silicone did thin out my skin on the bridge. Everybody reacts differently to silicone, so you won't know until you try it.

Which material you use is dependent on your goals (projection, length, tip, width, height, etc.). You should first determine exactly what improvements you want done to your nose. Each material has its pros, cons, and limits.

 

It has faded and flattened significantly, but the scar is still present.

 

[FONT=&quot]It’s been a while since I’ve been on the forum, and I can’t believe how far it has progressed. It’s been exactly 11 months since I had my revision (full rib rhinoplasty) at VIP. I’ll take updated pictures when I hit the one year mark. [/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]My nose is still healing nicely. I don’t have a scar on my nose. My columella doesn’t even look like it was ever cut, and I never even used any scar treatment. I haven’t experienced any problems… no absorption, warping, infections, or crookedness. I can tell that my tip is still swollen. My nose moves when I crinkle it. I can move it side to side a little bit. It has definitely become more flexible over the past few months. My bridge still feels hard. But I’m used to a hard bridge because my previous silicone implant was extremely hard. I’m not sure if the silicone implant was always hard, or if it became harder over the years. It’s strange, but the silicone and rib don’t feel any different in hardness. I’m also used to a hard tip because I previously had ear cartilage. In fact, my nose now seems more flexible than when I had silicone and ear cartilage.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]I just wanted to make some general comments about some of the topics that were mentioned on the forum recently. I noticed that a lot of you had surgery at VIP recently, and VIP has become somewhat of a controversial topic. I absolutely adore Dr. Lee, but I’m sure there are better plastic surgeons in Seoul. The problem is that most of these great surgeons only work with alloplastic implants. For those whose hearts are set on 100% rib rhinoplasty, there probably isn’t a better doctor than Dr. Lee. Unfortunately, you don’t have too many options if you want a skilled and experienced doctor that specializes in rib rhinoplasty. There are doctors who only use rib for the tip, but it takes more skill to be able to use rib on the bridge since the pieces are bigger. It seems like most doctors who occasionally use rib only use it for the tip. Most doctors don't use rib since it's not mainstream. A doctor who uses rib once in a while is not a rib specialist. For some people, using rib is their only option because implants have failed them, they have insufficient ear or septal cartilage, they want a safe method for a dramatic result, they don’t want to use alloplastic implants, or for whatever reason. Rib was my only option because I needed significant lengthening from the silicone implant contracting. Rib is the best material for lengthening. Rib is not only meant for reconstructive purposes, and rib rhinoplasty is not a new development. I definitely believe that all these factors have attributed to so many people on the forum going to VIP recently. All of us who had surgery at VIP are real people who provided our experiences. We receive no compensation or perks for discussing our experiences. It’s been almost one year since I had my surgery, and I still keep in touch with Joann. I’ve emailed Joann with questions. She’s even emailed me once in a while to see how I’m doing. She always responds to my emails even with her hectic schedule. I don’t claim that VIP is the best clinic in the world. I know they have their flaws just like every clinic, and everybody’s experience is different. But I’ve never heard of a clinic that 1) allows your companion to stay in the recovery room with food provided, 2) allows your companion to stay in the officetel, 3) helps you coordinate surgery at other clinics, and 4) allows you to pay for procedures after the surgery if necessary. These are unheard of, but these are just some of the services that VIP provides. A lot of clinics wanted me to wire them a deposit just to book a surgery date in advance. As for bad reviews, every clinic has them. You can’t please everybody, and there is no guarantee in plastic surgery. You need to analyze the complaints objectively. Even the best doctor in the world will have unsatisfied patients… that’s just life. If you have the time, I think it’s ideal to have a few consultations before you choose a doctor. It never hurts to get a second or third opinion. I can’t stress enough how important communication is. I see a lot of disappointed people who didn’t communicate enough with their doctor. Also, it’s not unusual for rib rhinoplasty to take a long time. Dr. Kao in Taiwan takes over 8 hours in most of his cases, and he only does a few surgeries a week. Perhaps these doctors are just meticulous. I had a consultation with Dr. Shah in Chicago, and he told me that my surgery would take approximately five hours, which is how long my surgery took with Dr. Lee. My revision wasn’t complicated, but I can see how complicated cases can take well over 8 hours. [/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Here are some tips if you had rib rhinoplasty. Be careful when you bite into an apple. I’ve hit my columella a few times, and it really hurts! I used to get a sharp pain on my chest when my nerves were regenerating. They’re more surprising then painful because it just attacks out of nowhere. Just be careful. One time I was lifting weights doing a chest press when I felt a sharp pain… I almost dropped the weights on my chest. I realize that everybody has different needs and that rib rhinoplasty is not for everyone. But for those who are interested in it, please don’t be afraid. I think most of you are mostly afraid of absorption and warping. Warping is easily prevented in the hands of an experienced doctor. As for absorption, it all depends on the condition of your cartilage and your doctor’s skill of course. To be on the the safe side, the older you are the better because your cartilage would be more calcified (stronger). My cartilage was extremely strong for someone my age, so I was told that mine shouldn’t absorb. Joann thought that my cartilage was strong because I’ve been strength training for a long time. Strength training strengthens your bones, so it makes sense that it would also strengthen the cartilages that are attached to your bones. Doctor’s skill is also crucial because there are methods to handle and carve the cartilage to minimize any problems, which is why it’s important to go to a specialist. I think people forget that out of all the cartilages, rib absorbs the least. Ear cartilage has the highest rate of absorption, followed by septal and then rib. When I had my revision, I hardly had any ear cartilage left. There is no perfect material. You need to do your homework and figure out what will work best for you since everybody is different. Unfortunately, silicone didn’t work for me. Perhaps it could have worked if I had it replaced after ten years like I was supposed to. You need to replace silicone every ten years just like you replace silicone breast implants. In any case, it’s very important to take your time and research all your options. VIP is a great option for those wanting 100% rib, but you should probably seek out other clinics if you prefer other materials. [/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]I’m sorry for rambling on and on. I guess I’m making up for lost time.
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I'm so glad to hear that you're healing rapidly. I can't wait until your cast is removed. Good luck with your eye surgery.

There's a Korean doctor (part of Dream clinic) who occasionally answers people's questions on the Soompi forum (double eyelid surgery thread). According to this doctor, Dr. Kwon did not invent magic epi... some other Korean doctor did. Did Dr. Kwon tell you that he invented it? I'm so curious.

 

Don't forget Houseoftaylor- she had rib surgery before me.

 

I can definitely tell that it's thinner.

Nope, I didn't get paranasal implants... it wasn't recommended to me.

 

^ Angleplane,

What's your email address? I'll email my pictures- you said you wanted to see them.

 

Thanks for the kind words. I did ask for a slightly upturned tip because I wanted my nose to look more feminine.

My skin is thick too. Dr. Lee did defat my nose, but he explained that removing too much fat could be dangerous and cause necrosis. I guess he knows just how much to remove safely.

 

Hey guys, this is about carrying cash to Korea.

I took more than $10K, so I declared it at customs. Basically, the customs lady took our passports and entered data into the computer system. She then asked to take a quick glance at the cash (no counting, just a one second look). Then she asked what the cash was for. When I told her that it was for plastic surgery, she smiled and nodded. It only took around 5 to 10 minutes. It was very quick and easy, so don't worry too much.

I don't know how they would have known I was carrying all that cash if I didn't inform them. I'm guessing that a lot of people don't declare their cash, and I don't see why they would search you unless you're acting suspicious. However, I felt better declaring it. We also used a money belt to carry the cash just in case our carry on bags were stolen... you just never know. I think it's safer to have the cash on your body.

For those having surgery at VIP... you can store your cash inside their safe box until you pay. VIP only collects half of the payment right before surgery, and the rest is collected a few days after surgery. They seem pretty flexible with payment. There was a foreigner there who was only able to withdraw a few hundred dollars a day from the ATM, so she paid them a few hundred dollars a day for about a week. I guess they're pretty trusting of their patients...LOL.

 

What's your email address?

 

What's your email address?

 

Why don't you ask Joann for some before/after photos of patients that are at least one year post op? Didn't she send some to Kain? She tries to be be accommodating even though she's busy- it's worth a shot.

 

Megoreng, please let me clarify. I'm not upset that someone showed you my photos. I'm just curious who showed them to you.

I didn't want to show my photos before because my eyes are so visible in the pictures. However, Wai was kind enough to teach me how to cover my eyes and other features. Yes, I can be technologically challenged sometimes...LOL. So, if anyone is interested, I will show my before/after pictures. Please just send me your email address because I don't feel comfortable posting them on a public forum. Perhaps we can even swap photos.

 

Are you referring to Verity? It was her first nose job- Dr. Lee wrapped diced cartilage with fascia. This method has a lot of absorption though.

 

How did you see my before/after pictures? I never showed them to you. Who did you see it from? I think I know who showed them to you...hmmm...

 

Houseoftaylor had surgery before me at VIP... she's 9 months post op. Verity had surgery well over a year ago, but she didn't use rib.

 

I emailed you pictures weeks ago, and you even responded... LOL.

 

about the skin; do fraxel n stemcell prp at vip! LOL u will love it. after ud done fraxel, u will think.. pain is nothing anymore.:X

Rawdude,

Can you explain how stemcell prp is used for cosmetic purposes at VIP? It sounds very fascinating. It would be nice if I can go back for additional procedures.

 

Wow, she really is one strange lady. I'm so glad that I only met normal people while I was at VIP. So honestly, how did her results turn out? Was it worth it? LOL I can't believe she insisted on surgery even though Dr. Lee wasn't confident about her results. That seems so desperate and risky. Not to be rude, but this seems rather comical.

 

Yes to both questions.

O & Young does do 100% rib, but it's extremely expensive and they haven't been doing it that long because they primarily do silicone/rib. It takes a lot more skill and experience to be able to carve a bigger piece of rib cartilage and handle it in a way to minimize warping and absorption, so I wouldn't recommend O & Young if you want 100% rib. However, it should be alright if you prefer an implant for your bridge. I've had quite a few online consultations with doctors in South Korea. From what I gathered, doctors who use rib only use a tiny amount for the tip, and they don't use it often because they mostly use ear cartilage. My nose was contracted from silicone implant, and a few doctors even told me that I also had saddle shape deformity. Even with these issues, I was amazed that most doctors in South Korea still recommended silicone for my revision. Only one doctor recommended goretex because that's what he used.

 

My tip area is still swollen, but my bridge has deswelled nicely. My tip has more definition now than it did during my first month after surgery. I hope it will continue to get more defined. I haven't experienced any absorption, just deswelling. I know it's hard, but try to be patient with your results.

 

You have thick skin, so it's going to take some time for your nose to deswell. I have thick skin too, and I'm still swollen after five and a half months. Dr. Lee said it would take up to two years for me. I understand how you feel because I'm an impatient person, and I want to see instant results.

Have you been doing your nose rinse at least twice a day? VIP should have given you all the supplies. The dried clogged blood should get loosened each time you rinse your nose. Like you, I tried to remove it, but I just left it alone because it hurt too much. You could try using a Q-tip, but most of it should get removed with the nose rinses.