LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Dr. Lam,

I am an Asian and just had a rhinoplasty on my nose bridge and tip three weeks ago in Asia, but I will be back to the States in a few days. My surgeon put two pieces (I believe they are truncks) of Gortex (PTFE) to raise my nose bridge height and refine my nose tip. The recovery is fast and I am rather satisfied with the outcome now, but I've been reading a lot of comments about possible future infection and shift. I've also read that Gortex should not be used at nose tip, it can get infected really easy, is that true?

I am very depressed now, and I've been worried about infection constantly. If I want to have the two Gortex chunks removed, will you be able to locate them and remove them easily?

If I have the Gortex removed, will my nose eventually look the same as it was?

Thanks!

i would trust your surgeon, as i do not put gore-tex in the tip. that does not mean that it will get infected. i think you should be fine. gore-tex is not easy to remove. it gets integrated into the tissue and requires a bit of work to get it out, but i have been able to remove it. no nose will ever look the same as before in good and bad ways. good in that there can still be some retained refinement but bad could be as implants can push on tissues below and slightly or more dramatically alter them. i would not be worried about this if things look good.
best,
sml

Thanks Dr. Lam, Is that true that the longer you have the Gortex implant, the harder it is to remove it?

yes, but goretex binds to the tissues pretty quickly. even after a month or more, tissue integration has already started. however, if you remove it early, you risk ruining what you have paid for. if you like it, personally, you should probably leave it. ask your surgeon what he thinks.
best,
sml