Rhinoplasty Q&A
Find answers to rhinoplasty questions from Dr. Kim.
153 questions
Is thicker skin a common challenge in Asian rhinoplasty?
Yes, and it's genuinely one of the more technically important considerations in Asian rhinoplasty.
Read answer →How much swelling and bruising should I expect?
Swelling typically peaks around day 2-3 after surgery, then gradually decreases over the following weeks.
Read answer →Why do Asian noses often need more cartilage support?
On average, Asian nasal cartilage tends to be somewhat weaker and less prominent than the cartilage typically found in Western noses, and the skin…
Read answer →When can I remove the nasal splint/cast?
The splint is typically removed around day 7 after surgery, during your follow-up visit at the clinic.
Read answer →How is rhinoplasty for Asian noses different from Western techniques?
Rhinoplasty developed largely around Western nasal anatomy, where the starting point is often a prominent bridge and strong cartilage that needs reduction.
Read answer →What is the recovery timeline after rhinoplasty?
Recovery happens in overlapping stages. The first week involves the most visible healing — your splint comes off, initial swelling and bruising peak then…
Read answer →Are there different scarring tendencies to consider by skin type?
Yes — scarring tendency varies by individual, and there are some general patterns worth knowing.
Read answer →How long until numbness in my nose goes away?
Some degree of numbness or reduced sensation, particularly at the tip, is normal after rhinoplasty, since the surgery involves working around small nerve…
Read answer →Can rhinoplasty preserve my ethnic identity while still refining my nose?
Yes — this is actually central to Dr. Kim's design philosophy.
Read answer →What diet is recommended during recovery?
Soft, easy-to-chew foods are recommended for the first few days, since chewing motion can transmit some pressure to your healing nose, and simple foods…
Read answer →How does nostril shape differ across ethnicities, and how is that addressed?
Nostril shape, width, and orientation vary considerably across individuals and population backgrounds — some patients have naturally wider or more flared…
Read answer →Will I need to come back to Korea for a follow-up visit?
For most straightforward cases, no — your in-clinic follow-up during your initial trip, typically around day 7 when your splint is removed, is generally…
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The History of Rhinoplasty
The history of rhinoplasty, as Dr. Kim has seen it
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