2 months post-op — when septal cartilage protrudes to one side and breathing feels stuffy: revision timing and choosing a department
2024. 6. 19.
At 2 months after nose surgery, when septal cartilage protrudes to one side making breathing uncomfortable and silicone shows through — an answer note on when revision is possible and choosing between plastic surgery and ENT.
Key points
- Re-trimming the septal cartilage, removing silicone, then supplementing the tip with autologous cartilage is itself possible.
- Cosmetic revision can wait for tissue recovery, but breathing discomfort and silicone show-through need the mucosa·skin·material state checked at the operating clinic now.
- Cost can't be guided online, and for the department we recommend consulting both plastic surgery and ENT.
"It's been 2 months since surgery and the septal cartilage is protruding badly to one side — breathing is hard."
This was one of the questions that came into the answer notes. They had nose surgery using silicone, ear cartilage, and septal cartilage, and after surgery the septal cartilage protruded to one side making breathing uncomfortable. Their chest felt stuffy when breathing and one nostril got blocked at times, the nostrils were asymmetric, and the silicone at the bridge showed through. There was no pain or inflammation.
The questions were three: whether they could now re-trim the septal cartilage, remove the silicone, and raise just the tip with autologous cartilage; whether they should consult and decide despite distrusting the operating clinic, and roughly how much another clinic costs; and whether, for a septal cartilage problem, a place that works together with ENT is better.
01
Can the septal cartilage be re-trimmed, the silicone removed, and just the tip raised with autologous cartilage?
The method itself is possible. Re-trimming the septal cartilage, removing the silicone, then supplementing the tip with autologous cartilage is a correction that can be done. How the tip is supplemented can be seen together in the nasal tip surgery guide.
Cosmetic revision timing is set by tissue recovery state, but there's no reason to defer care for breathing discomfort and silicone show-through. The current mucosa·skin·material state should be checked first and whether early intervention is needed judged.
| Check item | Current state |
|---|---|
| Desired correction | Septal cartilage re-correction + silicone removal + tip supplementation with autologous cartilage |
| Feasibility | The method itself is possible |
| Elapsed period | 2 months post-op — a period when the tip hardens |
| Revision reference point | First check whether anything is currently wrong, then decide by tissue recovery·urgency |
What gets checked across revision is organized in the revision rhinoplasty guide.
02
Roughly how much is revision at another clinic?
Cost-related guidance can't be provided online. So even in the answer notes, amounts can't be given.
If you're curious about cost, calling the clinic or visiting in person helps. If the clinic you consulted feels untrustworthy, getting a consultation elsewhere and deciding is also a way.
03
For a septal cartilage problem, is a place that works with ENT better?
They said they received that recommendation from the ENT they frequent. However, plastic surgery also handles septal cartilage.
And the questioner is in a situation wanting not just the septal cartilage but the silicone show-through problem solved together. If the two coexist, we recommend visiting both a plastic surgery clinic that does nose surgery and an ENT to consult. Hearing opinions from both sides helps judgment more than deciding after hearing only one.
04
Summary — timing comes before method
If septal cartilage protrudes making breathing stuffy and silicone even shows through, whether something is currently wrong must be checked before waiting 6 months. Even if cosmetic revision timing is set by tissue recovery, breathing difficulty·skin thinning·material-exposure risk must be evaluated now at plastic surgery and ENT visits.
If you'd like the current state checked, you can ask directly in a 1:1 video consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions patients ask before a consultation.
It's 2 months since surgery — can't I get revision right away?
Is removing silicone and raising just the tip with autologous cartilage doable?
If there's no pain or inflammation, can I just wait?
Responses to treatment and recovery progress vary by individual. Outcomes and side effects vary from person to person. Bleeding, infection, swelling and asymmetry may occur. Please consult our medical team before making a decision.