vivavita Posted August 5, 2017 Posted August 5, 2017 Introduction Hi everyone! I'm three-week post-op from my revision rhinoplasty surgery done in Seoul. I’m very happy with the outcome now. I could have posted this review earlier but I didn’t want to give any false hope or testimony. I waited until all the swelling was completely gone and the shape of the nose is really what I have always wanted. I am glad found a very skilled surgeon to realize my ideal nose shape despite all the odds. Thanks to Purseforum members' reviews, I've learnt a lot about Korean doctors, insights and tips, so I would like to share my experience and hope it will help you all in finding a good surgeon.Background of my previous nose I had a flat and short nose with a wide nasal bone and a round nose tip to begin with. 9 years ago, I had my primary rhinoplasty at a famous clinic called Shimmian(also known as ****mian to me now lol) where the surgeon was known as the "King of Asian Nose Jobs" and a famous ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT). I had 2 layers of Gort-Tex(5mm tall) from the radix to the bridge, and ear cartilage + septal cartilage for the tip. On top of that I went back to have the unbalanced nostrils corrected a couple years ago. After a few years, unfortunately, my nose became odd with these problems - the radix being too high -upturned nose tip - the nostrils showing too much from the frontal view and too oval -scar at the bottom of the nose showing more with the upturned nose tip -the bridge still being high and narrow with the 2 layers of the 5mm-high Gore-Tex implant inside My friends and coworkers were so polite that they never made any mean comments about it. They just stared knowingly at it when they thought I wasn't looking. Feeling increasingly self-conscious about my nose, I planned to have a revision rhinoplasty surgery done by the original surgeon in the beginning as he offered to fix my nose, only charging me USD$1,000 for anesthesia. Consultation with the original surgeon(Dr. Jung) -I waited for an hour for the consultation. Jay Lee, the English-speaking manager asked a rookie translator who just worked there for two months to help me with the translation. I didn't mind as I never liked Jay Lee anyway as he never returned my calls or texts and charged the clinics he recommended me(for other surgeries) a hefty commission fee behind my back. -To my surprise, Dr. Jung found there was nothing wrong with my nose as many desired to have this kind of “pointy” nose tip and high radix. I said it was upturned, like a piggy nose. He denied it and said it was just pointy and I should live with it. However, if I insisted, he could revise the nose the way I wanted. -To make it look a natural radix, he proposed to remove 1 layer of the Gort-Tex implant but he made it clear that by doing this, my nose’d be 50% lower, no in between, and the curve between the radix and bridge would be gone. -To correct the upturned nose tip and improve the nasal tip projection, he proposed to relocate the ear cartilage graft from the nose tip to the columella area. - He warned me that I would end up getting a very straight and long nose which would age me a lot. -He insisted on using Gore-Tex, saying it was 20 times more expensive than silicone and ignored my suggestions of using silicone or dermal fat grafts. - After 10 minutes, the clinic manager barged in during the consultation. I overheard their conversation in Korean. He rushed the doctor to wrap up the consultation as there were other patients waiting outside. The doctor said he tried but I didn’t seem to agree. He was planning to simply take out the inflamed Gort-Tex implant and give me the long nose as I wished. Then the manager asked the doctor to hurry again. As you can imagine, I was terrified! After a few more questions, the doctor ran out of his patience and sent me out of his office for the next customer. Without hesitation, I called off the surgery scheduled the next day, turned on my heel and ran out of the clinic as fast as my legs could carry me(I must have seemed crazy to them)! Fuelled by adrenaline rush and anger, I binged read rhinoplasty research papers as well as posts on different forums without getting a shut eye for two nights, and shortlisted real plastic surgeons specialized in revision rhinoplasty.The clinics I have consulted I set up consultations with a total of 11 doctors from 11 different clinics namely (in the order of the consultation dates): -Dr Suh @JW -Dr. Kim@April 31 -Dr. Choi@Apujeong Seoul -Dr. Ha @grand -Dr. Lee@Trend -Dr. Paik@101 Dr lee @Banobagi Dr lee @Regen Dr Kim @Item Dr Park @Dream Dr. Seong @GNG I took my time to compare and contrast the doctors in terms of their aesthetics, proposed surgical methods, recommended materials, patience/ attitude, after-care service, 3-party comments and price. I even made my an Excel chart in which I weighed the surgical methods and aesthetics most and the price the least of my concerns as I just wanted it to be my last rhino surgery). 1. Understanding of Aesthetics: · Dr Kim@Item didn’t find my nose tip upturned at all and suggested only having the Gore-Tex replaced by silicone. · Dr. Lee@Regan suggested quite the opposite, keeping the high radix and performing tiplasty.Apparently these two docs’ aesthetics were different from mine. So bye bye! · The noses in the B&A photos I saw at Top Class & Trend were pointy and dramatic, and each of them was so tall that it looked like a block of wood. Maybe rib cartilages were used in them. A reliable friend in the PS business warned me that Trend had a high revision rate. So I steered clear of them. · After having an unnatural nose for years, I just wanted a natural-looking nose like those noses made by Dr. Kim@April 31, Dr. Choi@Apujeong Seoul, Dr. Seong @GNG or Dr. Kim@Item. Dr. Suh @JW was kind of in the middle of both.2. Recommended materials: · Dr. Seong@GNG recommended donor rib for the tip but whether to use it or not in the surgery would depend on the size of the septum cartilages after cutting open my nose. The price for using donor rib cost additionally 2mil wons and I had to pay firsy, just in case it’s needed. I felt ambivalent as what if I paid for it but I ended up not needing it. Plus, I was worried that the tip with rib’d be too hard and unnatural. · Both Dr. Ha@Grand and & Dr. Paik@101 recommended using dermafat to create a natural nose bridge. Dr. Kim@April 31 proposed both dermafat and silicone implant. I found that a nose with dermafat on the bridge would look natural but undefined, like a sausage nose in the first few months before the dermafat is dissolved out to about 50%. So If I went for dermafat, my bridge would either be too high in the beginning or too low after a few months.3. Language Barrier · My most dreaded kind of doctors is those who speak no English or impatient, or both. Two Dr. Lee@Banobagi and @Regen unfortunately fell into both categories. The Banobagi one even refused to answer my questions about his surgical methods and the whole consultation was rushed. · The translator/ consultant plays an important role, especially when the doctor speaks no English or not very expressive. However, the consultants @Regan & Apujeong Seoul just made things worse. Not only did they either not duly translate or merely summarized the doctors’ 10 sentences into 1 or 2, they did not know medical terms well enough, for example one of them called “columella strut” as “that thing between here & here”). How could I count on the clinic when the doctor couldn’t get his point across himself or through the translator? · Luckily, Brian@April and Hazel@GNG knocked my socks off with their fluent English, knowledge in PS and friendly demeanour. I happened to be tossing between their clinics before making my final choice.MY FINAL CHOICE!!! Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, the Oscars goes to....(drum rolls plz) . . . . . . .
vivavita Posted August 5, 2017 Author Posted August 5, 2017 Dr. Kim at April 31! Not only because he trumped the other 9 docs after my meticulous calculations in the Excel chart but I also like him after meeting him in person. Here are my other reasons: 1. In a revision case like mine, Gore-Tex removal, inflammation inside could make the revision more complicated and price higher, right? But out of the 11 clinics I consulted (including ****mian), 9 of them simply asked me to recall what materials were used and then gave me their revision rhino proposals. On the contrary, April 31 took photos of me and ran a computed tomography (CT) scan on me before the consultation. The software on Dr. Kim’s desk was superb and advanced. I could see my skull in 3D and he could draw on it for me compare the B&A on the screen. 2. His killer skills! He is famous not because of marketing campaigns or promotions. He is a highly recognized expert on rhinoplasty in both primary & revision cases, published academic articles on rhinoplasty, and he’s a doctor who has both practical experience and respected by his peers academic wise. He also invented surgical techniques like Dynamic Tip Plasty, De-Rotation method for upturned noses etc. From my experience, 8 of the 10 doctors suggested the same method--graft cartilages on the nose tip to lengthen my upturned nose, but they didn't tell me that the tip would actually be lifted up again over time then the nose would be upturned again. Instead of using this traditional method, Dr. Kim would de-rotate the nasal tip cartilage and put grafted autologous cartilage at the back of it as a fixation to prevent the nasal tip cartilage from rotating back up. In one of the post-op check-ups, on the surgery record sheet, I found Dr. Kim had done a lot of adjustments on my nose (which he didn’t mention in the consultation) to make it look naturally beautiful. I’m so grateful for his thoughtfulness and skills. Now my nose tip looks naturally defined. Yah! 3. Many other surgeons asked me questions like “What are you unhappy with your nose?” and “What kind of nose do you want?”. Dr. Kim just made recommendations based on what he thought would look best for me and had more firm opinions. He doesn’t do dramatic noses and I am fed up with dramatic ones. I knew I wanted him to be my surgeon. 4. He can speak and understand English which is a big plus to me. To be honest, he might not be the friendliest doctor with the best English I have met, but he is wise and calm, made himself understood and answered all my technical questions effortlessly and patiently. 5. I think Brian’d definitely be one of the reasons why I chose April 31. He is friendly and helpful. As a nervous wreck, I asked a long list of questions. I guess I must have taken him 3- 4 hours to clear all my doubts about the surgery but Brian was very patient in answering all of them and gave me a lot of support. I was impressed by how well informed he was about technical details of rhinoplasty. On the surgery day, to alleviate my anxiety, he stayed by my side, held my hand(he asked me to pretend he was gay at that critical time lol) and cracked small jokes. It was so warm of him. All in all, I have had a good impression on both Dr. Kim and Brian these 3 weeks. That’s all for my sharing on my revision rhinoplasty. I hope it has given you some useful info and insights. Feel free to ask me any questions about the surgery.^^
ft1212 Posted August 5, 2017 Posted August 5, 2017 Hi! Thanks for sharing your experience at April 31! I'm actually interested in TopClass' dramatic nose.. but you mentioned that you're fed up about having dramatic noses for so many years.. Just wondering what advice would you give people who wants a dramatic nose for now? Because I'm quite afraid that I would get tired of the dramatic look soon (not as evergreen as a natural one).. Also do you think dramatic nose would lead to higher rate of revision? Easier to become upturn or etc.. Btw, congrats on your result! Do you mind sharing with me your after photo? Thanks a bunch!
catelet Posted August 5, 2017 Posted August 5, 2017 Thanks for sharing. Very happy for you! I can't wait to be on the other side as well! I haven't chosen a surgeon yet but I'm been conversing with April31 along w/some other clinics so far.... At any rate, I have a question where you said: "Dr. Kim@April 31 proposed both dermafat and silicone implant. I found that a nose with dermafat on the bridge would look natural but undefined, like a sausage nose in the first few months before the dermafat is dissolved out to about 50%. So If I went for dermafat, my bridge would either be too high in the beginning or too low after a few months. " So did he use dermafat under a silicone implant?
caliroll Posted August 7, 2017 Posted August 7, 2017 I find that a dramatic nose will age badly. It's just a fashion thing, and fashions always go out of style. You'll be stuck with that look and looking at a potentially expensive revision. In my opinion, dramatic almost always looks fake in person. I have yet to see a dramatic nose that fits an Asian person's face. If you live in South Korea, maybe you can get away with it, but in the US people will just look at you like you're a plastic freak and judge you harshly. I'm also looking for a revision to look natural, or as close to it as possible, after horrible first primary where the surgeon used a huge implant on me against my direct instructions.@Vivavita · "After having an unnatural nose for years, I just wanted a natural-looking nose like those noses made by Dr. Kim@April 31, Dr. Choi@Apujeong Seoul, Dr. Seong @GNG or Dr. Kim@Item. Dr. Suh @JW was kind of in the middle of both." When you say Dr. Suh @JW is in the middle of both, do you mean he has an aesthetic that is between dramatic and natural? I'm in a similar situation where my rhino looks unnatural to men. I'm looking at Dr. Suh very closely, but I may change my mind if he does anything that might look too dramatic. I just can't live with that look anymore.
vivavita Posted August 8, 2017 Author Posted August 8, 2017 Hi Catelet, I ended up choosing silicone implant over dermafat coz 1/ derma fat is 2 mil wons more expensive at April 31 2/ I was worried that it would dissolve too much that i would end up getting one more rhinoplasty for the bridge! I was so done with rhinoplasty as I have other parts to take care of for Christ sake! Lol
vivavita Posted August 8, 2017 Author Posted August 8, 2017 Awwww caliRoll, I can totally relate to that. Having a tall nose that doesn't match with the rest of face feels as bad as having a messed-up tattoo in something you cannot hide. Based on my research and the b&a photos found in his clinic, I think Dr. Suh has good aesthetic judgements and is versatile to do both natural and dramatic ones that go well with different faces. I do recommend him.
vivavita Posted August 8, 2017 Author Posted August 8, 2017 Hey ft1212, I think there are following considerations, -your own aesthetic goal -the potential of your original nose -the compatibility of the dramatic nose with the other part of your face... I've seen a girl with a small chin n got a dramatic nose done. Her new nose makes her look like a bird as it looks as big as a beak. Ya know, in terms of the golden ratio, the vertical distance between the eyebrows and the tip of the nose is roughly one-third of the whole face. Unfortunately, her dramatic nose has thrown off the overall balance of her face. I've also seen a girl who got a vline op after her dramatic nose done. Well, her nose becomes so big in her much smaller face. All in all, I think having a dramatic nose or not's a personal preference and its result varies from person to person.
catelet Posted August 8, 2017 Posted August 8, 2017 I see, so you chose silicone *instead* of dermafat (not physically OVER it) lol. It makes sense now. Photos look great. Thanks for explaining!
apple11 Posted August 8, 2017 Posted August 8, 2017 Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I am glad that you made the right decision not to go back to your original surgeon.
versible Posted August 8, 2017 Posted August 8, 2017 Hi vivavita congratulations on your surgery! Wish you smooth recovery and beautiful results. I'm sorry about what happened to your primary and events after that.. Glad you didn't come back there. Anyway i heard Shimmian is gone now? Do you know what happened to em? You gave me insight girl. I always wanted a dramatic result but now i reconsider.. Does topclass also have high revision there? Dr Suh from JW also seemed like a good option based from your experience.'Apparently these two docs’ aesthetics were different from mine. So bye bye!' Could you elaborate further on this? I am looking for primary and tbh idk how to comparing dr's aesthetic with mine, whether it fits or not. I like tall feminine elegant nose.. What aesthetic did dr frm item and regen inclined to? I consulted online with Item btw and i found they are unfriendly
vivavita Posted August 16, 2017 Author Posted August 16, 2017 Hi Vertible! Yes, Item was unfriendly to me too. Dr. Kim showed an aesthetic that's different from me. ShXtmian's not gone. Other than Seoul, they hv clinics in Manila as well. I don't know if Topclass has high revision cases but i happened to have a dinner with a girl who had her nose done @Topclass two nights ago. Her nose's dramatic but very natural! I guess the doc did a good job, so I guess having a dramatic result doesn't necessarily mean it's gonna look fake and it comes down to your own preference, original nose+face and your doctor's aesthetic & skills. Best of luck with your surgery.^^
xshoppingaddict Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 Do you know who her doctor at Top class was ?
stvnwij Posted September 10, 2017 Posted September 10, 2017 Good for you if you are satisfied with your result with dr.Kim (April 31). I have done my revision nose job with him on Sept 2016, and I was not satisfied with the result. I had my first nose job with 'L' silicon 10 years back in my country, and last year I went to April 31 with dr.Kim having my revision nose job. He recommended 'I' soft silicon and make my nose a little longer on the bridge in order to make my nose looks normal and a bit droopy so your nostril wouldnt be apparent at the front side and to be look natural, verbally I coincided with him since he's the surgeon. Post-op that day, 3 days after and now 1 year after.. my nose doesnt have a drastic improvement cosmetically. I just knew it post 3 days result, It looked just like my old nose: bulbous, wide bridge, not well-defined at the front, in fact longer bridge and my nostril diameter were not even stitched. Skillful surgeon should be able to make anyone nose: well-defined and slimmer bridge, less bulbous, more narrow alar, and overall smaller looks nose. I was very disappointed with him and kind of trauma having another revision in South Korea again, not to mention I paid a lot 9 million for nothing. With this experience I learn: 1. Text references from your research placed third level of your consideration before: Video (before after) first level, Picture (before after) second level. 2. To me, plastic surgeon is an artist, it takes sense of art, so higher academic medical title or position in universities/hospitals, does not guarantee one's skill in plastic surgery. 3. Expensive price doesnt mean excellent result, find your surgeon who could give you real result proof of his/her "work of art". 4. Friendly and helpful translator/clinic assistant does not equal to one's surgeon significant result expectation. I'm planning to have my nose revision again (preferably outside South Korea, somewhere Thailand or Phillipine), I would be very thankful if you guys could give me recommendations on real natural drastic result plastic surgeon. My consideration list at the moment: 1. dr.Eric (Icon Clinic-Manila) 2. ....
versible Posted September 10, 2017 Posted September 10, 2017 Thanks @Vivavita ! Yeah still doing my homework now.. I wanted to have it done once and for all.. Thank you kindly for sharing your experience!
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