Rhinoplasty Performed While Dissolving Old Nose Filler

Among the simplest ways to raise the nose is a nose filler procedure.

Because filler procedures are easy to perform, some people end up getting filler injected into the same area multiple times.

The commonly used hyaluronic acid filler is generally known to last about 6 months to 1 year.

Here, the maintenance period refers to the length of time the filler keeps its shape in the body; it does not mean that the filler’s volume itself disappears.

The shape of the bridge of the nose after nose filler injection

When filler is injected into the nasal bridge, it initially maintains a raised shape, but over time the shape gradually becomes less defined.

In such cases, some people may think the filler has gone away and get filler procedures again and again. When this happens, the repeatedly injected filler remains over time and makes the nasal bridge look spread out.

People who have had filler procedures often think the filler in the nasal bridge has disappeared, but even after more than 10 years, filler can still remain.

Filler remaining in the nasal bridge on CT imaging

Even with filler that is more than 10 years old, a CT scan can show a dark filler shadow, which makes it possible to tell that filler is still present.

CT shadow of spread-out filler

On a CT cross-section, the filler can be seen loosened and spread throughout the soft tissue of the nasal bridge.

Spreading of filler after the maintenance period has passed

The usual thickness of the skin and soft tissue of the nose is about 3 mm, but if the nasal bridge has been injected with filler multiple times, then when you touch the nose, the soft tissue may feel thicker than the original skin thickness.

The archetypal wide nasal bridge, the so-called "avatar nose"

As the area extending from the forehead to the glabella and the nasal bridge becomes wider, it comes to resemble the nose of a movie character, and people sometimes call this a so-called "avatar nose."

Some people also refer to a wide nose as a "lion nose" because its shape resembles a lion’s nose.

Lion nose

If you have a history of filler injections in the past, it is best to mention this during your rhinoplasty consultation.

Sometimes it may have been so long ago that you do not remember, but if you let us know whether you have had filler or thread procedures, it will help with planning the surgery.

Filler remaining in the nasal bridge before surgery

If filler remains in the nasal bridge, rhinoplasty can be performed while dissolving the filler in the bridge at the same time.

Some clinics dissolve filler in the nasal bridge one week before surgery, but at our clinic, for the convenience of our visitors, we perform rhinoplasty on the same day while dissolving and removing the filler.

The height of the nasal bridge after dissolving the filler during surgery

When the filler is dissolved during surgery, the height of the nasal bridge decreases more than expected, and after confirming the original height of the bridge, an implant of appropriate height is selected.

Rhinoplasty after dissolving the filler

The rest of the procedure is the same as standard rhinoplasty: the tip of the nose is raised using cartilage graft material, and the bridge is raised using a silicone implant.

Before-and-after comparison of rhinoplasty while dissolving filler

Nose filler procedures are convenient, but after a certain maintenance period, the filler gradually loosens and widens.

In such cases, rather than getting filler injected into the nasal bridge multiple times, choosing rhinoplasty while dissolving the filler is a more aesthetically suitable option.