Hi, I’m Dr. Donald Yoo.
I’m a Facial Plastic Surgeon, here in Beverly Hills, California and I’d like to talk about
Asian rhinoplasty.
One of the reasons I enjoy Asian rhinoplasty so much is because it can create such a dramatic
change in someone’s appearance.
Beause the nose is in the center of the face it is important that the appearance and proportions
of the nose, are in balance with the rest of the facial features.
I’ve had the privilege of operating on Asians of just about every ethnicity, and I have
found one of the keys to a successful result is approaching each nose as a personalized,
individual nose.
On the computer I can sit down with them, and morph their images and see what they find
aesthetically pleasing, and I can be on the same page with tem and figure out if we see
eye to eye as to what we find to be a beautiful, attractive nose.
And also at this time I am able to assess their expectations and also if it is surgically
possible to create the nose they envision for themselves.
Another way I avoid a cookie cutter approach or avoid creating a cookie cutter nose, is
by using tissue from the patient’s own body.
This way each surgery is tailored to that patient, and all the grafts and techniques
that I use are unique to that patient.
Synthetic grafts are very popular and widespread in Asian rhinoplasty, and there are a number
of reasons for this.
One of the main reasons is that synthetic grafts are readily available, and are ready
to use right off the shelf.
One of the problems with this is that those grafts are not individualized – the same
graft that is used in your nose is also used in thousands of other patients’ noses.
The other main disadvantage of using synthetic implants is that there is a risk of infection,
migration, and extrusion (or ulcerating through the skin), that is much, much higher than
using your own tissue.
Using grafts made from your own tissue, also known as autologous grafts, is safe, and provides
predictable and permanent results.
It also provides a nose that looks more natural because instead of the sharp, visible edges
of a Silicone or Gore-tex graft, your own tissue is used to build your nose, and as
it is incorporated into your body, it becomes a part of your nose.
For this reason I use exclusively autologous grafts (or grafts made from tissue in your
own body) for Asian rhinoplasty.
By using autologous grafts I can address each of the aesthetic and functional concerns of
my patients.
A number of changes can be made to the way the nose looks during Asian rhinoplasty.
Some of these changes include: increasing the height, or building up the bridge of the
nose to create more definition when looking straight-on, and to improve the profile; another
possibility in Asian rhinoplasty is to increase the refinement and projection of the tip of
the nose.
Some Asians are unhappy with the bulbosity or the width of the tip of their nose, or
the fact it does not project far enough from the face.
For patients who wish to augment or build up the bridge of their nose, I can augment
using a variety of graft options.
One of the commonly used grafts is cartilage harvested from inside the nose, or portion
of the nose dividing the right and left nostril, right in the middle, called the septum.
By harvesting a portion of the cartilage from the septum I am able to build up other areas
of the nose that may be deficient.
Another possible option is taking cartilage from the ear, or the concha.
By taking cartilage through a small incision behind the ear, I am able to use a hidden
incision that does not alter the appearance, shape or look of the ear in any way, and that
cartilage can also be used to build up the nose.
For patients who desire the maximum amount of change, cartilage harvested from a small
2.5 cm incision right underneath the right breast or chest, I can harvest rib cartilage,
and use that cartilage to then construct the nose.
Another common complaint from patients seeking Asian rhinoplasty is the flare or the width
of the nostrils.
And again the flare and the width of the nostrils can be modified during surgery.
Asian rhinoplasty is a surgery that I really, really enjoy performing because it can create
such a dramatic and significant change.
Feel free to e-mail me or call my office with any questions.
E-mail me at: info@donyoomd.com Visit me and learn more at: www.donyoomd.com