I had nose surgery 20 years ago at my mom’s suggestion. Since I had it done in 2000, it’s been a little over 20 years now. Because my nose was low and small, I had it done minimally, so there were no major issues and I lived with it like it was my own nose. About a year ago, I moved to a different area, and maybe because the weather changes were big, I felt a slight tight pulling sensation when it was hot or cold. At that time, I didn’t think much of it….
But on the Monday before this Lunar New Year, I was looking in the mirror and noticed a round white discoloration on my nasal tip. When I searched it up, people said it was silicone showing through. I was so scared, and once I started looking closely at my nose, I noticed the skin color on the nasal bridge had turned white too, and it seemed like my nose was upturned…. Strangely, from then on, as I became conscious of my nose, pressure, pain, and tightness suddenly started, and I was so scared that my appetite began to drop. Since it happened to overlap with the Lunar New Year holiday, I couldn’t do anything and just searched obsessively at home. I couldn’t even eat properly and just trembled in fear, wondering what if the silicone broke through. Should I go to Seoul, should I get revision surgery…. Starting from revision surgery with costal cartilage, I searched and thought about all sorts of things: Seoul hospitals specializing in removal, capsules, capsular tissue, contracture, silicone breaking through, skin necrosis, and more, and I lost sleep over it.
Finally, on Monday, since it felt urgent, I decided to go to a few local plastic surgery clinics and just went as soon as they opened, without even making appointments. They said they needed to know what material had been used, so I searched my memory and answered silicone and AlloDerm. At hospital 1, they said the silicone was showing through and needed to be removed, and that the AlloDerm had been absorbed, so it could be left alone. They expected the surgery to take about 10 minutes with a closed approach, and about 30 minutes including preparation time. They said that after removal, because of the capsule, my nose would be a little higher than it is now. I had seen many posts saying the capsule absolutely had to be removed, so I asked, and they explained in detail while even drawing pictures. In other words, because the capsule is my own tissue, once the silicone is removed, it would naturally be absorbed and settle, so they told me to trust my own body. I had a prejudice because it was a local hospital, but the consultation was quite professional, and they did not recommend revision surgery. Cost 88
At hospital 2, they said the silicone had to be removed and firmly said there was no way AlloDerm would have been used back then, and that the doctor must have lied. They recommended revision surgery using ear cartilage because it would feel empty after removal. When I asked about the capsule, they said they would remove as much as needed, and if they removed it all, the nasal bridge could collapse, and it would have to be done with an open approach. The consultation was basically just answering what I asked. Cost: card 120, cash 65 (why such a big difference?)
I debated because of the cost and surgery date, then chose hospital 1, and looking back now, I think I made the right choice. Surgery process: The surgery was done the very next day. During the pre-op consultation, the doctor reassured me, saying that if I felt at ease, it would also be easier for the doctor to operate, and even told me the name of the sedative anesthetic they would use. (sedation 5 minutes + local) While disinfecting my nose before surgery, they joked that I had a lot of boogers, and I fell asleep. After surgery, I went to the hospital for disinfection twice and suture removal once. The doctor personally disinfected the area, and when removing the stitches, the doctor stayed with the nurse and reassured me, saying all the painful parts were over now. Every time they disinfected or touched my nose, they kept saying sorry, so I was touched(?), and they were very meticulous and explained every single thing, so I was grateful.
Current condition: Looking at the photos, it’s still swollen, so I can’t see a big difference between before and after surgery. Once the capsule gets absorbed, it will gradually get lower, right? Until the tape was removed after surgery, I kept worrying: Is the nose skin okay? Is there any indentation? But there were no problems, and above all else, my mind is really at ease now.
Seoul or hospitals specializing in removal are good too, but I think silicone removal is not a major surgery and can be done well enough locally. They said silicone can simply be slipped right out and that’s it. But they said the story changes if it’s Gore-Tex or another material.
My skin is thin and on the fair side. My skin condition is such that you can even see blood vessels on my face There are cases like mine where there were no major issues for 20 years, so I don’t think you need to worry in advance and feel anxious after surgery. Also, if side effects occur, I hope you can respond well according to your own situation. They told me to come back next week to check the condition again. I’ll post another review then.