Q: Hi, I am a 19-year-old Asian with very thick skin. I have had multiple consultations, and almost all the doctors said that rib cartilage is the only option to augment my nose bridge. But I am really concerned with the donor site. Will rib-harvesting procedure affect the function of my rib? Will my rib be more likely to break? The procedure sounds a bit scary. Please explain it to me. Thanks a lot!
A: A small portion of the cartilaginous portion of the rib is taken (for my patients usually 4 cm from the right 6th rib). You will not have any untoward effects in terms of health or function, and this is well tolerated even in my patients who are professional boxers and mixed-martial artists. The biggest downside to have rib cartilage harvested is a thin 2 cm scar, which will be present in the crease under your right breast.
