Singer Seo In-young reveals 6 nose, 3 eye surgeries — why repeat procedures carry growing risks

Singer Seo In-young has revealed she has undergone rhinoplasty six times and eyelid surgery three times, drawing fresh attention to the medical risks that accumulate with repeated cosmetic procedures.

In a video posted Wednesday to her YouTube channel "Gaegwacheonson Seo In-young," Seo reviewed old photos from her career and traced the timeline of her surgeries. She also recalled how, in 2009, she attended a public event just one week after nose surgery, appearing with severe swelling that drew widespread attention at the time.

Rhinoplasty involves not only the external shape of the face but also internal structures tied to breathing. Repeated procedures can cause scar tissue to accumulate and alter both the shape of cartilage and blood supply to the area. That is why surgeons evaluating a revision must assess tissue changes from prior operations alongside the nose's functional condition.

Each additional surgery increases scar tissue and can compromise blood flow to the skin and underlying soft tissue.

Rhinoplasty reshapes the nose by trimming or repositioning the bone and cartilage beneath the skin to change its height and contour.

The nasal tip is composed mainly of cartilage, while the bridge contains both bone and cartilage. The septum, which supports the center of the nose, and the cartilage around the nostrils play a dual role: maintaining the nose's external shape and enabling normal breathing.

When skin and cartilage are separated or tissue is incised during surgery, scar tissue forms as part of the healing process — a natural response in which collagen accumulates at the site of injury.

The problem with operating on the same area repeatedly is that the buildup of scar tissue can make it increasingly difficult to distinguish normal anatomical structures.

Scar tissue tends to be firmer and less elastic than the surrounding healthy tissue. When the skin of the nasal tip stiffens or adhesions develop between the skin and cartilage, separating tissue and sculpting a new shape during surgery becomes considerably more difficult.

Repeated incisions and tissue dissection can also affect the microvasculature. Reduced blood flow to the skin and soft tissue can delay wound healing and raise the risk of tissue damage.

A 2026 study published in Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America identified scar formation, reduced blood flow and deterioration of soft tissue condition as major risk factors in revision rhinoplasty.

The thickness and elasticity of the nasal tip skin are also important variables. If the skin thins, the outline of implanted cartilage or prosthetics may become visible from the outside. Conversely, when the skin is thick and heavily scarred, reshaping the internal cartilage may not produce the desired contour.

Excessive cartilage removal presents its own risks. When the cartilage supporting the nasal tip is weakened, the tip may droop over time and the area around the nostrils may narrow.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists potential complications of rhinoplasty as difficulty breathing, infection, delayed wound healing, septal perforation and changes in sensation.

When ear cartilage has already been used, surgeons may need to turn to rib cartilage for revision procedures.

For patients who have had multiple rhinoplasties, securing adequate cartilage is a significant challenge.

Cartilage is needed beneath the skin to maintain the nose's structure. Procedures that raise the nasal tip or reconstruct a collapsed bridge require graft material with sufficient strength and volume.

The three main sources are septal cartilage, ear cartilage and rib cartilage.

Septal cartilage — found in the wall dividing the two nostrils — is relatively flat and firm, making it well suited for structural support.

However, if septal cartilage was already harvested in a prior surgery, the remaining supply may not be enough. In that case, surgeons consider harvesting cartilage from the ear or ribs.

Ear cartilage is soft and naturally curved, making it useful for reinforcing the nasal tip and the area around the nostrils. However, the amount available is limited, so it may not be suitable when extensive structural reconstruction of the entire nose is required.

Rib cartilage offers a comparatively larger supply and greater structural support. It is used when the framework supporting the nasal tip has been severely weakened or when prior surgeries have left insufficient cartilage.

The drawback is that harvesting rib cartilage requires a separate incision in the chest, which can cause pain and scarring at the donor site. The graft may also warp or be partially reabsorbed over time.

A 2026 meta-analysis published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal analyzed 50 studies involving 4,482 patients who received rib cartilage grafts in rhinoplasty.

The analysis found a warping rate of 2.9 percent, a resorption rate of 1.6 percent and an infection rate of 1.9 percent. The rate of additional revision surgery was 5.0 percent.

The researchers said outcomes vary depending on the type of rib cartilage used and how it is processed, and that the choice of graft material should take into account the available cartilage supply, the surgical objective and the surgeon's experience.

Preserving breathing function alongside cosmetic correction is particularly important in repeat rhinoplasty.

If the airway inside the nostrils narrows or the nose's structural support weakens, the tissue around the nostrils can collapse inward during inhalation.

In such cases, reconstructive surgery to restore the weakened cartilage framework and reopen the airway may be necessary, rather than simply adjusting the height or shape of the nose.

Swelling after surgery can make the nose appear larger for weeks — and the final shape may not be visible for more than a year.

Post-operative swelling is an important factor when assessing the outcome of rhinoplasty.

Tissue trauma during surgery triggers a healing response that increases vascular permeability and causes fluid to accumulate in surrounding tissue. This produces swelling around the nose and eyes, and can temporarily make the nasal tip appear larger or the bridge look less defined.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, swelling can persist for four to six weeks after rhinoplasty. About 90 percent of the swelling subsides by the three-month mark, but subtle swelling can linger for up to a year.

The nasal tip in particular is slow to recover. As the skin and soft tissue adapt to the new cartilage structure, the shape changes gradually.

As Seo's experience illustrates, resuming public activities just one week after surgery means swelling has almost certainly not fully resolved — which is why the early appearance alone cannot be used to judge the final result.

Recovery time must also be factored in when deciding whether to pursue revision surgery.

The Rhinoplasty Society generally recommends waiting at least 12 months after an initial procedure before considering a revision. Swelling must subside and scar tissue must stabilize before the nose's final shape and any structural issues can be accurately assessed.

Recovery from revision surgery can take even longer. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons notes that in some cases it can take up to two years to see the final result after a revision rhinoplasty.

Lifestyle management during recovery is also important.

In the early stages, sleeping with the head elevated can help reduce swelling. Blowing the nose forcefully or exposing the area to physical impact should be avoided. Eyeglasses that press on the bridge of the nose can affect healing at the surgical site, so patients should follow their surgeon's guidance on when it is safe to wear them again.

Smoking and nicotine use constrict blood vessels and can delay tissue recovery, so patients are advised to avoid them before and after surgery. Strenuous exercise can worsen bleeding and swelling and should be resumed only when recovery allows.

Fever, worsening pain, redness or yellowish discharge may indicate infection and should be evaluated promptly. Persistent nasal congestion or difficulty breathing also warrants medical attention.

Anyone considering repeat rhinoplasty should have a comprehensive evaluation covering not only the number of prior surgeries but also the types of cartilage and implants previously used, the condition of existing scar tissue and skin, and the state of the septum and breathing function.

As the nose undergoes successive surgeries, restoring tissue altered by earlier procedures becomes increasingly complex. Thorough pre-operative assessment and adequate recovery time are considered the key factors that determine long-term outcomes.