I finally had it removed.. Today is exactly day 7 since removal. First of all, the first thing I felt was that it was so light,,, insanely light. There is no heavy feeling, and the hardness of the silicone and that uncomfortable, hard feeling from the septal cartilage in the nasal tip are all gone. It has been 3 years since my surgery, and to get my nose implants removed, I searched this community and other sites for 4-5 months, did both in-person and online research, and I am finally free... What helped me the most psychologically and in terms of information and content was this community. So I'm leaving a review in the hope that it helps other people. (I hope it can be a reference for people with a nose shape similar to mine,,)
Nose condition (*I had a hump nose.)
At my first surgery 3 years ago, they shaved down the hump on the nasal bridge, placed silicone, and built up the nasal tip with septal cartilage.
The surgeon who did it said the silicone was only placed up to the middle of the nose and that the tip was all septal cartilage, but when they opened it up,, a long silicone implant was inserted all the way to the nasal tip, and at the tip there were two layers of short silicone stacked ㅡㅡ together with the septal cartilage. No wonder my nose felt heavy and had severe show-through.. If a few more years had passed, I think it would have broken through. Ha.
Surgical method
Because my first surgery was done open, this was also done open. Sob sob. The capsule + silicone + septal cartilage were all removed. Cleanly-- I fell asleep for about 5 minutes under sedation, then it proceeded under local anesthesia while I was awake. I think it took about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Maybe because it was done under local anesthesia, I wasn't dizzy, got up by myself, got dressed, and even went home by bus.. I think this is much better.
Reason for removal What I disliked in the first place was the hump; I did not want a high nose, but the previous surgeon made it extremely high and obvious, so I wanted to remove it right away. But they told me to wait 6 months, so I endured it, and then I got caught up in work and somehow 3 years.. passed before I finally made up my mind and had it removed. The silicone looked obvious to anyone, it was high, and it looked like a bird beak ㅡㅡ I really won't touch my nose again. I honestly felt like everyone was only looking at my nose. My self-esteem dropped and my depression got worse,, When I wore a KF94 mask, my nose would get pressed and hurt, and even if I lifted the wire around the nose as much as possible, it still pressed down,,, that's how it was.
I hope everyone finds a hospital + director that suits them well. (*My criteria for choosing the hospital were that I could communicate with the director, and that it felt trustworthy for total removal and reconstruction rather than pushing revision surgery.)
I also hope you don't get too scared. When you've made up your mind, I think it's better to do it while you're even a little younger and your recovery is faster. You can't live several more decades with low self-esteem and depression.
Everyone will have good results! Definitely!
(My front view is very swollen and bruised, so I'm attaching side-view photos.)
+I'm adding front-view photos <There is still some bruising and the nasal tip is swollen and round, but because I used to live with a sharp-looking nose.. I really like my rounder-looking self. They say the swelling goes down over 6 months, or up to 1 year if it takes longer.>
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Thank you everyone for leaving so many comments ㅠㅠ I hope my post has been somewhat helpful. There were many comments asking about the hospital and various information, so I'm adding more to the post. I'm only on day 8 now, so there is still swelling and the shape can still change, and side effects could still occur, so I feel cautious about daring to recommend something really important,, I also understand that desperate feeling so, so well because that was me not long ago,, If it is not rude, I will message those who have left comments here after one month. I am so, so sorry ㅠㅠ Thank you, everyone!
* For reference, the columella scar is similar to when I had the first surgery! I think it's just red and swollen.
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