▶ First surgery: April 2023, silicone + septal cartilage, composite rhinoplasty - I had my first surgery in April 2023 and used silicone + septal cartilage, a composite rhinoplasty. - After a year, I accidentally noticed that my nose had shifted. - Since the shape did not seem like a big problem, I just kept going that way. - As the silicone moved, if there was a light reflection, it looked even more crooked. I thought it was bad and, only later, I searched for a clinic for a correction surgery and went around to check. ▶ Second surgery: June 2024, silicone + autologous costal cartilage (9th rib site) composite rhinoplasty + pinched-nose release rhinoplasty - The revision came suddenly and I had no money prepared, so I considered full installment payment. - When I spoke with a consult clinic, they offered an unreasonable amount under a full-open public model condition. - I was told to use autologous costal cartilage and did so, but in less than half a year the nose became lower and wider. - I sometimes felt heat, but I was not sure if it was because of acne inside the nose. When I told the clinic, they said they would do aftercare (A/S) and told me not to post about it anywhere; it felt almost half-threatening. Knowing it would be hard to argue, I cried and looked for another revision clinic. ▶ Second revision surgery: this year, silicone + autologous costal cartilage (6th rib site) composite rhinoplasty + pinched-nose release + columella elevation rhinoplasty - Through the current clinic’s YouTube, I learned that autologous costal cartilage also has different types/harvest sites: at the previous clinic it was from the very bottom (soft and easiest to harvest), while I learned that the upper part is harder to harvest but firmer and gives better support, so surgery was done using the upper (firmer) part. - The surgeon showed photos of the result after facial correction; I could have had those photos sent to me on KakaoTalk at home without requesting separately. - The surgeon seemed like someone obsessed with the nose (checking bridge projection, both alar base widths, nostrils, glabella height, and face width). - He has a good sense of aesthetics. He gave three nose designs in other styles and offered natural, refined, and flashy options; since all looked fine, it took time to choose. - During the surgery, the rhinoplasty surgeon and anesthesiology surgeon were both present and fully focused on my surgery. It was not a mindset of demanding the deposit immediately, and there was less pressure, with no request to leave a review. Although I was still under an open full-disclosure contract with the previous clinic, I paid in full and had the surgery. I did not feel it was wasteful; I just said, “This is what it should be worth.” ▶ Current status - After the revision, shape recovery improved a lot, and I restarted social life. - At about five months now, there has not been a shape change yet; the bridge-to-tip line is maintained. - After surgery, the pinched-nose feeling released properly, so the wide-nose impression disappeared. - The heat sensation I had before is gone, and I feel relieved. I still have many things to discuss with the previous clinic and am still in contact. I was really unlucky with both the first and second surgeries, and did them at places that weren’t right for me. On top of that, when I kept sending photos of a nose I disliked, I really had a hard slap of reality. I hope no one like me makes that mistake from being so seduced by a promotion offer. It seems there is usually a reason, though not always. If the reason for the cost is valid and accepted, then there is no such problem. It may just be chance in my case... It felt like I had purchased a service with my money. If that is the reason I am writing this, is it because I am highly satisfied with the surgery? No. If you plan to do it cheaply, check why it is cheap and whether you can accept that reason; if you plan to do it at an expensive place, check why it is expensive. Don’t get operated on just by chasing the money. I see too many people doing this, and from my situation, it feels frustrating.
This is a surgery review that pursues natural beauty.