Dr. Sam Lam Plastic Surgery Forum

Hi,

I'm considering getting lasik and a rhinoplasty. If I do both, I'd like to get lasik first. How long do I need to wait after the lasik to get my nose job?

Also, what are your thoughts on using 100% ear and septal cartilage to augment an Asian's bridge and tip? If a patient really wants it, do you provide this?

THANK YOU.

1. you will have to ask the lasik doctor when it is safe to do rhinoplasty.
2. answer to question 2, NO WAY. i think cartilage is fine for the tip. it really sucks for the bridge to get a smooth result. there is not enough cartilage that allows me to get a single smooth layer for the entire bridge. anyway that is only my opinion. if you ask 10 docs, you'll get 10 answers. if you really want cartilage for the bridge, find another doc who does that. i don't believe the results are good.
best,
sml

even rib cartilage?

absolutely. there are two problems with rib grafts:
1. they can warp over time.
2. they are very very very stiff. the nose is not rock hard except in the upper third.

Yes, but isn't the bridge part of the upper third?

only part. it is also occupies the middle third which is mobile.

Isn't there some kind of wire, that keeps the rib grafting from warping??

not that i am aware of. some people use a "K wire" to keep the rib graft in place for a week which is then removed. that does not prevent warping. a wire does not prevent any kind of warping, period.

So can ear or septal cartilage also warp when placed on the bridge of a nose?

they can but have a lower likelihood of doing so. but they are too small to get a smooth result. that is why i use gore-tex. also, if for any reason you don't like it, i can easily remove it. but it is well adhered so you should not have to worry about it slipping down like silicone.