Q: I am an Asian who had a tip rhinoplasty 3 months ago and strongly dislike the stiffness brought by the caudal septal extension grafts. However, the changes are not noticeable. I have discussed with my surgeon about a revision rhinoplasty to remove it. He told me it is possible to take it out and return to the previous nose. Perhaps he would leave some cartilage as columellar strut to support the tip. Would columellar strut grafts be good instead of caudal septal extension grafts? Is it really risky?
A: I wouldn’t advise touching your nose this early after surgery. It’s normal for the nose to feel stiff and almost artificially fake after having a septal extension graft placed. This will soften over the course of the year as your nose heals. Unlike other grafts (such as rim grafts) that are not sutured to other structures and can be easily removed, a septal extension graft is secured to your tip cartilages so your tip will need to be put back together once removed.
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