Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice/experiences because I’m feeling a mix of nervous and hopeful about an upcoming surgery.
I had a septoplasty over 10 years ago along with turbinate cautery. They also placed spreader grafts at the time, but my current surgeon believes those have shifted.
I recently had a consult with an ENT/facial plastic surgeon, and she told me I have nasal valve collapse and likely need a proper turbinate reduction (not just cautery this time), along with some work involving the mucosal lining (I think she mentioned resection/adjustment there).
Her plan also includes:
Using cartilage from my ear to support the nasal opening
Using a cadaver rib graft to reconstruct my septum and bring my nose back to midline
Functionally, breathing is my biggest issue—I really struggle day to day. Aesthetically, I’m less concerned, but I do notice the deviation (especially from the front and side profile).
I trust her and felt good about the consult, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous—especially about the rib graft part.
Has anyone here had:
A cadaver rib graft used in revision rhinoplasty/septoplasty?
Nasal valve collapse repair with ear cartilage?
A true turbinate reduction after prior cautery?
How was your recovery and breathing afterward? Any complications or things you wish you knew beforehand?
Also open to general thoughts—especially if you’ve gone through something similar.