Rhinoplasty: Q&A

Ask a Question

Are There Less Possible Complications with Tiplasty Vs. Full Rhinoplasty?

If I just want to upturn the tip and all I need is a graft to add support to tip, is there less chance for complicatoins (crooked tip, uneven nostrils) vs. having to reshape tip and lessen the size through a full rhinoplasty?

I dont want to change the shape or size of tip only want to rotate the tip upwards because I have read some horror stories on this site! Also what are the pros and cons of cutting the depressor nasi septi muscle?

Tags:

Comment on this

18 Doctor Answers | Asked by Frank45 in Edinburgh Texas

Doctor Answers (18)
Community Comments (0)

Patient satisfaction after Rhinoplasty is typically very high.

If you choose your Rhinoplasty surgeon carefully, you'll likely get a wonderful result. You should find an experienced, board-certified Rhinoplasty specialist with many favorable photos demonstrating natural results. Most noses that look "operated" have irregularities in the tip. So the results of your "tip-plasty" will largely be determined by your pre-op appearance,and your choice of surgeon. I hope this helps, and best regards.

Eric M. Joseph, MD

198 reviews

West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.ericmjoseph.com

Complications with tiplasty vs. full rhinoplasty

Frank, A "FULL" rhinoplasty is more involved than a "TIP" rhinoplasty and as such there are potentially more things that "can go wrong". (Similar to the difference between painting a room over an existing coat of paint VS. installing new Sheetrock walls, plastering them and then painting..) That being said - rhinoplasty is the MOST individually customized operation in plastic surgery where YOU need to determine what bothers you, just how much does it bother you... more

Tip only versus full rhinoplasty

I would suggest choosing a surgeon with whom you are comfortable. Explain to the rhinoplasty surgeon what issues you have with your nose and which features you are entirely comfortable with. The surgeon should be able to show you, possibly with computer imaging software, the changes you are seeking to your nose and how they will impact the rest of your nose. You may decide that other changes would also look nice.

Tip vs full rhinoplasty

I wish I could tell you that there was a big difference between the tip vs the full rhinoplasty but there really isn't. They are both very involved. You seem to want to minimize the technical difficulty of what you want (ie. "all I need is...) and you shouldn't underestimate the technical steps involved in a tip rhinoplasty. Make sure you go to a surgeon with extensive rhinoplasty experience. Dr. Cochran in Dallas who answers many rhinoplasty questions on RealSelf is an outstanding... more

Rhinoplasty, Beverly Hills Rhinoplasty, Nasal Refinement, Nose Job, Closed Rhinoplasty, Open Rhinoplasty.

I have performed Rhinoplasty and Tip Plasty Surgery for over 20 years. The nasal tip can be rotated upward by trimming the superior (top) aspect of the anterior septal angle and placing a permanent suture to rotate the tip. This is a simple, yet highly effective, procedure that I have performed many times. If all you want is the same shaped tip just rotated up, that would be my recommendation. If however, you would like the nasal tip more refined, you could... more

Tip plasty and full rhinoplasty

The cutting of the nasi septi muscle is of no consequence other than to prevent the tip of the nose from drooping down when smiling. We cut that muscle frequently when needed. It is important if you are only having the tip plasty performed that it is going to balance with the remainder of the nose. Very few noses fall into this category, most of the time a full rhinoplasty has to be entertained.

Rhinoplasty complications

Complications can occur with all surgeries. However, the procedures you asked about: full rhinoplasty vs tip plasty, historically have very low complication rates. Depending on how severe your problem is, you might not even need tip cartilage grafts which you mentioned. Frequently, a minor trim and loosening of the skin around the tip is all that may be needed. Remember, the most important part of getting a good result from plastic surgery, is the surgeon that you choose. Fees vary... more

Complication risks may be lower with tiplasty

Just adding a columellar strut or plumping grafts adds less complications than a full rhinoplasty. The less you do, the less risk of complications. I rarely cut the depressor nasi septi muscle unless the patient and I discuss the risks first since it can lower the upper lip and show less teeth especially when smiling. Thank you. Dr. Nassif

Complication rates are low...

For both surgeries. However, in general, the more invasive and prolonged a surgery, the greater risks. So in that sense, a tip plasty would carry less risk than a full rhinoplasty. The specific risks that you cite, crooked tip and uneven nostrils, are probably the same for both procedures since a tip plasty alone still involves dissection, suturing and scarring around the tip. The depressor septi muscle can indeed be surgically defunctionalized. There is no con to losing the function... more

Tip only or full rhinoplasty, complications are few

Certainly when considering rhinoplasty or nasal shaping, changes are only made where necessary, and for some a tip only rhinoplasty will produce very nice results. For a majority of patients however a full rhinoplasty will be needed to keep the whole result in balance. Any change in the tip as far as projection, rotation, or width, can affect the appearance of the rest of the nose and may limit the overall result. It is best to work closely with your surgeon, photo simulation can be very... more

Tip plasty versus full rhinoplasty

The effect of cutting the depressor nasi septi muscle can be simulated with injection of Botox. You may want to try this as it is the easiest way to "check it out". If you like the result, you could consider surgical options for a longer lasting result. Yes a tip graft would be easier but it is does not guarantee that the graft will not rotate, warp, extrude, encapsulate, become infected or resorb. No surgery is without risk. However, it is a less invasive operation when compared... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tipplasty is Safer than Full Rhinoplasty

In general in the nose the less you have to do the better it is. The tip plasty especially if it only involved turning up the tip is easy to do and has less chance of complications. Cutting the depressor septi muscle is safe and effective. Take your profile photos with smiling and without smiling and you will know if your depressor septi is pulling the tip downwards. If it is, then it should be cut. Regards

Different types of Rhinoplasty

Tip versus full rhinoplasty are essentially related but distinct operations. While the two areas can relate to eachother both technically and aesthetically, the complications profiles are not the same. While both are very safe, tip changes can be more challenging to get right. Rotating the tip can be accomplished in a variety of ways. There are many different techniques that can do this. The choice of the correct one depends on an individual patient's anatomy. Cutting the depressor muscle... more

See a rhinoplasty specialist.

Both of these surgeries should have little risk of complications. See an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon and let him give you the pros and cons after he examines your nose.

Toby Mayer, MD

7 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

What is the difference between a tip vs full rhinoplasty

Commonly, tip rhinoplasty is one step in a full rhinoplasty, when other aspects of the nose are concomitantly treated (a hump removed or dorsum narrowed). The specific complications that concerns you, i.e. asymmetric nostrils or crooked tip, are related to work that is performed on the tip. Therefore, the risks remain the same whether you have a tip plasty or a full rhinoplasty. Avoiding full rhinoplasty will eliminate the risks associated with the upper part of the nose, such as a bumpy... more

Full vs. Tip rhinoplasty

A full rhinoplasty usually involves some sort of bony reduction or augmentation. Each additional variable that you add to the procedure can certainly add to the complexity and variability of complications that can develop. But, if allyou want is tip surgery and slight elevation of the tip, it is pretty much a tip plasty with a possiblity of some caudal septal work to elevate the tip.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Is Tip-plasty a Mini-Rhinoplasty?

The most important step before nasal cosmetic surgery is to understand what changes are necessary to achieve your desires of a better and normal looking nose. Most commonly, changes beyond the tip are required to achieve this result, even when the patient is mainly concerned with the tip. The nose is a structure that has to be assessed in its entirety with concerns for aesthetic balance and function. A tip-plasty is still a true rhinoplasty. There is no true shortcut for a good nose nor is... more

Full rhinoplaty vs. tip-plasty

The need for rhinoplasty vs. tip-plasty really depends on your personal need. If the only thing that needs modification is the tip of your nose, then a tip-plasty is all that is necessary. However, the majority of patients who come in and request just a tip-plasty or just a hump removal really need the entire nose modified. Once either is made smaller, the rest of the nose may appear out of balance. I find computer imaging an excellent device to demonstrate who can and who can't get away... more