2026-05-24
💖 Calling All Flat + Long Faces!! (Autologous Rib Cartilage Rhinoplasty & Forehead Fat Graft Case Review)
A transformation case for a long, flat face using autologous rib cartilage rhinoplasty and full-face fat grafting to create a sophisticated, three-dimensional look.
👧🏻 Basic Information
Female in her 20s
Medical History: No previous procedures or surgeries.
Primary Concerns during Consultation:
‘My face looks long, making my overall impression seem flat.’
‘I lack dimension due to a flat forehead and a drooping nose tip.’
‘I want to look naturally beautiful!’
📌 Current State Analysis & Diagnosis
- Analysis considering the overall structure of the face shape
1. The Nose
The nose, being the center of the face, plays a decisive role in the overall impression.
In particular, if the tip of the nose is drooping or if it is low and flat, the face can appear longer and more two-dimensional.
In this case, the drooping nose tip gave the entire face a flat and long feeling. To improve this, it was necessary to create a more sophisticated and natural nose line.
2. Face Shape
The forehead is a crucial area that determines the sense of dimension from both the side and front views.
When the forehead is flat or sunken, a long face shape is further emphasized, which can give a sharp or gaunt impression.
Improving the impression and proportions through fat grafting is a highly effective method with high satisfaction levels :)
💖 Surgical Plan
1. Long Nose Rhinoplasty using Autologous Rib Cartilage
This is a method that simultaneously secures the support of the nose tip and a natural line.
By harvesting the patient’s own 6th or 7th rib cartilage, the risk of side effects is minimized, and the best results can be expected.
We correct the drooping nose tip and compensate for the long face proportions by adding dimension to the center of the face.
2. Fat Graft (Full Face)
Autologous fat harvested from the thigh is finely refined and then grafted layer by layer into the forehead, temples, front cheeks, and nasolabial folds.
Beyond simply adding volume, it completes a face line with natural, soft curves to transform the impression into something more sophisticated.
✨ Post-operative Changes & Recovery Process
✅ Autologous Rib Cartilage Harvest Site
There is slight pain immediately after surgery, but it gradually subsides within 2–3 days.
Return to daily life is possible within 1 week, with no major hindrance to movement or activities.
✅ Nose & Face Line Improvement
As the nose tip is lifted into a straight-semi-basal line, the dimension in the center of the face becomes distinct.
Through fat grafting, the impression of a long face changes to become soft and harmonious.
The overall face shape is improved to a clear and sophisticated look.
📝 Closing Remarks
Harmonious improvement is more important than just making things high and obvious.
Plastic surgery using autologous tissue is a great option that secures both safety and naturalness simultaneously.
Consultations and surgeries should be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon!
Find it! Your own Beauty VIBE
Vibe Plastic Surgery, Chief Director Young-moon Yoo
Vibe Plastic Surgery complies with medical laws. These before-and-after photos were taken under the same conditions with the patient’s consent. Complications and side effects such as bleeding, inflammation, infection, and asymmetry may occur after surgery and vary by individual, so caution is required.<./blockquote>
Frequently Asked Questions
When is autologous costal cartilage rhinoplasty necessary?
It is necessary when the nasal tip is droopy, low, or flat, making the face appear long and flat. This procedure can secure the support of the nasal tip and create a natural line, adding dimension to the center of the face and complementing long facial proportions.
What effects can be expected from forehead fat grafting?
A flat or sunken forehead can emphasize a long face shape, giving a sharp impression. Fat grafting can add volume to the forehead, temples, and anterior cheeks, creating a natural and soft curved facial line and improving overall impression and proportions.
Where is autologous costal cartilage harvested from, and what is the recovery process like?
Autologous costal cartilage is harvested from the patient's own 6th or 7th rib cartilage. There may be some pain immediately after surgery, but it gradually subsides within 2-3 days, and daily life can be resumed within a week, with no significant hindrance to movement or daily activities.
Where is the fat used for fat grafting harvested from?
The autologous fat used for fat grafting is harvested from the thighs. The harvested fat undergoes a meticulous refining process and is then layered into the necessary areas such as the forehead, temples, anterior cheeks, and nasolabial folds.
How does the facial line change after surgery?
As the nasal tip rises into a semi-upward line, the three-dimensional effect of the central part of the face becomes more pronounced. Additionally, fat grafting softens and harmonizes the impression of a long face, improving the overall facial shape to a clearer and more refined look.