Alar Base Reduction or Tip-plasty...or Both? Doctor Answers, Tips
Rhinoplasty: Q&A
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Alar Base Reduction or Tip-plasty...or Both?

I have been advised that an alar base reduction may need to be performed in order to reduce the width of my nose, however is it possible to avoid having this done if a tip-plasty is performed (my tip has little support and will need to be sutured for support) as I am worried that my nose will appear more bulbous? How much difference can be expected if the cartilage is reduced as aprently this should reduce the ‘fullness’ in the tip of my nose?

9 Doctor Answers | Asked by sal2005 in USA
+1

Alar base reduction or tip-plasty

The alarplasty is performed to make the nostrils less full and wide. This can be performed at the same time of tip rhinoplasty surgery. Most tiplasty surgery involves suturing the tip cartilages together to remove tip cartilages where they are simply too wide. Occasionally structural support grafts are used in the tip. Cartilaginous structure graft of the tip will not be of any width, just projection and strength. The dome binding suture and the alarplasty will make the tip look less... more
+4

Nasal Tip Narrowing, Reduction of Nasal width or Both?

Hi Sal, Thanks for posting the picture. You may need both tip plasty as well as alar base reduction to create a natural result. More specifically, as you probably have noticed, your Right nostrils appears wider. At least some correction is needed to make both nostrils more symmetric. Also increasing the projection would give the illusion or appearance of narrower or more proportionate nose. Make sure your plastic surgeon listens to your desires and spends enough time... more
+2

Go to a Plastic Surgeon who will show you changes on the Computer in advance.

If you want to plan the outcome of your rhinoplasty, go to a Plastic Surgeon whoj will show you several possibilities on the computer before surgery so you can decide what you want to have done. You will then be more in charge of the final appearance of your rhinoplasty. There are many different techniques that can be employed in a rhinoplasty, so you want to work out with your surgeon exactly what you want to have done before surgery.

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+2

Tip Narrowing combined with Alar Base Reduction

Alar base reduction may be performed for nostrils which are wide or flare out too much. Alar base reduction may be performed at the same time of the initial rhinoplasty, or later once healed. Tip plasty or tip rhinoplasty will change the alar base proportion to a certain degree, as the tip projects away from the face more or pulled closer to the face. The plastic surgeon will determine the appropriate amount of nostril skin excision at the end of the rhinoplasty procedure. Conservative... more
+1

Alar Base Reduction & Tip-plasty

It appears you would benefit from both tip refinement and narrowing of the alar base. Tip support should be improved if necessary.
+1

Both alar and tip reduction would be best.

Just reducing the tip will make the base look wider and vv.  You need both done by an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon,
+1

Tip plasty and/or alar bas resection

A tip plasty and or tip graft may soften the nose a bit, but evaluating the alar base usually in a worm's eye view gives the surgeon the answer to whether or not alar base excision is called for.
+1

Surgery on tip will help determine shape and size of nostrils

Please be advised that your nostrils are uneven as your right appears larger than your left. Making the tip of your nose smaller will make your nostrils appear larger and a reduction may be adviseable. Making your tip project more, may give the illusion of smaller nostrils. Therefore it really depends on what is being done to the tip.
+1

You may need alar reduction

The surgeon will decide during the surgery if you need the alar reduction.If the patient has a very large alar base, the decision is made before the surgery.
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