Rhinoplasty Q&A
Find answers to rhinoplasty questions from Dr. Kim.
173 questions
How long does rib cartilage last inside the nose?
Rib cartilage is generally considered a permanent structural material — once it integrates with the surrounding tissue, it's designed to provide long-term…
Rib Cartilage & Ribfit TechniqueRead answer →How is a droopy (hanging) nasal tip corrected?
A droopy or hanging tip — one that points slightly downward, especially noticeable when smiling — is typically caused by weak tip support structures, an…
Nasal Tip RefinementRead answer →Can tip surgery alone fix a wide nose base?
Not entirely — tip surgery reshapes the cartilage that defines the tip's width and projection, but the width of the nose base itself (where the nostrils…
Nasal Tip RefinementRead answer →How is tip projection (how far it sticks out) adjusted?
Tip projection is primarily controlled through a combination of the lower lateral cartilages' inherent shape and a supporting structure — most often a…
Nasal Tip RefinementRead answer →What's the healing timeline specifically for the nasal tip?
The nasal tip generally takes noticeably longer to reach its final shape than the bridge, since the tip involves cartilage and soft tissue that continue…
Nasal Tip RefinementRead answer →What is nasal tip muscle correction?
Nasal tip muscle correction addresses a specific muscle — the depressor septi nasi — which runs from the upper lip to the base of the nasal septum and…
Nasal Tip RefinementRead answer →Is tip surgery less invasive than full rhinoplasty?
Generally, yes — tip-only surgery typically involves less operating time, no bone work (since osteotomy isn't needed), and often no rib cartilage…
Nasal Tip RefinementRead answer →What is the Ribfit technique and how is it different?
Ribfit is a technique using finely processed autologous rib cartilage particles, positioned as an alternative to silicone implants rather than to a solid…
Rib Cartilage & Ribfit TechniqueRead answer →What is tip plasty and who needs it?
Tip plasty refers to surgery focused specifically on reshaping the nasal tip — its width, projection, rotation, or overall definition — rather than the bridge.
Nasal Tip RefinementRead answer →Is irradiated (donor) cartilage ever used instead of my own rib?
Yes, and it's a genuinely good option in the right circumstances.
Rib Cartilage & Ribfit TechniqueRead answer →Can an overly pointy or pinched tip look more natural?
Yes — an overly pointy or pinched tip, whether from a previous surgery or naturally thin skin over prominent cartilage, can generally be softened into a…
Nasal Tip RefinementRead answer →What is autologous rib cartilage rhinoplasty?
Autologous rib cartilage rhinoplasty is a nose surgery technique that uses cartilage harvested from the patient's own rib — rather than septal or ear…
Rib Cartilage & Ribfit TechniqueRead answer →
The History of Rhinoplasty
The history of rhinoplasty, as Dr. Kim has seen it
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