Revision Surgery for Contracted Nose Using Full Autologous Rib Cartilage — My Experience
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On the Yeouya Cafe, a well-known online community,
RU Plastic Surgery was the clinic most frequently mentioned
for revision rhinoplasty.
I consulted at five different clinics and, in order to avoid bias,
intentionally saved RU Plastic Surgery for last.
The first four clinics were all reputable,
but after meeting Dr. Kim Hyun-joo at RU,
I was certain this was the right place for me.
My silicone implant had become twisted and crooked,
a classic case of contracted nose caused by scar tissue.
It felt like everyone else noticed the problem except me.
Dr. Kim explained that if silicone were used again,
there was a high risk of the nose bending or contracting once more.
He therefore recommended reconstructing the nose entirely
using only my own tissues from the beginning.
His explanation made complete sense.
The surgical plan involved firm autologous rib cartilage
combined with scalp fascia to ensure stable structural support.
The first postoperative day was extremely difficult.
Breathing was very challenging, and I had to breathe only through my mouth,
which caused severe dryness and a burning sensation in my mouth and throat.
When the nasal packing was removed the following day,
the relief was immediate and overwhelming.
One week later, stitches were removed
from the rib cartilage donor site, the scalp (where fascia was harvested),
and around my nose.
There was still an internal support piece in place,
so I continued to feel some foreign body sensation,
but it was manageable.
After that, the real battle with swelling began.
Another week later, the remaining stitches and internal support were removed.
From the first day after surgery,
I consistently drank pumpkin and red bean tea.
From postoperative day two through the end of the second week,
I did 50 minutes of stair climbing every day at level six without breaks.
Dr. Kim complimented me on how well the swelling had reduced,
although some swelling between my eyebrows still remains.
At every visit, both Dr. Kim and the consultation manager
were attentive and reassuring.
Dr. Kim, in particular, always felt very approachable—
kind, easy to talk to, and calming, like a friendly local figure.
