Implants versus your own tissue
For the bridge of the nose, Korean surgeons commonly use silicone or Gore-Tex implants, or cartilage taken from your own body. Silicone is firm, well studied and straightforward to remove if needed. Gore-Tex is softer and can blend with surrounding tissue, which some surgeons feel gives a natural look. Your own cartilage — from the septum, ear or rib — avoids a foreign implant altogether, but harvesting it means an extra surgical site.
When rib cartilage is discussed
Rib cartilage is usually discussed for revision surgery, for noses that need significant structural support, or when a patient prefers not to use an implant. It is a bigger operation with a longer recovery, and a small chest scar. Whether it suits your case is a decision for the operating surgeon after examining your nose.
Tip work and alar base reduction
Many Korean rhinoplasties combine bridge work with tip refinement using your own cartilage, and some patients ask about alar base reduction, which narrows wide nostrils with small incisions at the base of the nose. Each addition changes the operation time, cost and recovery, so ask the surgeon to explain exactly what is included in the plan they recommend.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Please speak with a qualified doctor about your own situation.
