I’m 5 years post-op, and I had the implant removed 1 year ago, leaving only the strut and the cartilage above it.
I liked the shape, didn’t have anything like philtrum tightness, and felt comfortable, but.. from right after surgery, whenever I laughed broadly, I had the feeling that the strut was clunking and shifting. They said it was touching the projection of the upper jaw, but it didn’t improve even as time passed.
But starting early this year, the strut would catch with a clunk even when I wasn’t laughing, and it hurt every time I laughed (a stinging/aching feeling). My columella would sometimes become extremely hard and then loosen again, repeatedly.. so I just had it removed. Even numerous doctors didn’t know the cause of this;; They said the strut couldn’t have come loose and it hadn’t drooped either.. Later, after removal, they said it had been located deep inside, but I don’t know what mechanism that was.
After removing it, my nostrils immediately changed from a parallel 11-shape to a rounder shape. My nose definitely became shorter. The strut was small, but it makes such a big difference. Maybe because there’s still swelling, it’s higher than my original nose, and it seems like it’ll collapse back down soon.. Even though my face shape is the same, overall it looks rounder hahaha Knowing my personality, if I hadn’t removed it, I think I would’ve worried about it for the rest of my life, so I’ll just have to adapt and live with it.
I’ll post the clinic information and photos after watching my progress a bit more!
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