Rhinoplasty Q&A

80%

WORTH IT RATING

1,002 Reviews

Ask a Question

View Before and Afters

Average Rhinoplasty Cost: $5,975

Learn about Rhinoplasty

5,047 people and 803 doctors are talking about Rhinoplasty

Get Free Email Updates

Boxy Tip Versus Round Tip. Advice Needed ASAP!

asked 9 months ago by taliincali in Los Angeles, CA
Latest answer by Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Question viewed 404 times
Tags: nose tip, opinion, square

Hi I'm getting rhinoplasty in 8 days and my doctor said he'd like to refine my tip by suturing the spaced-far-apart cartilages together to make a smooth, round, "almond"-shape because when he shaves down my dorsal bump and reduces my radix, the boxy tip will look more enlarged than it actually is. However, I like my boxy tip. I need some second opinions. Should I keep my boxy tip or would I be better off with a narrower, rounder tip? I need to tell him on the day of my operation. Please Help!

13 answers to Boxy Tip Versus Round Tip. Advice Needed ASAP!

Boxy tip

Yes your tip is bifid (split). No your tip isn't boxy. And, I too like your tip. An artist, not a scientist would appreciate what you like and don't like about your nose and advise you. Personally I would reduce your hump (slightly) narrow the base (minimally) turn the tip up and leave it looking like your tip. You-tube Linda Evangelista and you'll see what I would want your nose to look like. A Michelle Pfiffer (You-tube her also) would look bad on you. Cosmetic surgeons... more

Ayman Hakki, MD
Washington Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty Plan Should Be Formed Well Before Day of Surgery!

Hi Talli, The most important aspect of your nose to recognize before rhinoplasty surgery is that your lower lateral nasal cartilages are oriented vertically as opposed to horizontally, something rhinoplasty surgeons refer to as malposition or a "parentheses" tip. Your lower lateral cartilages need to be repositioned properly, and refined. Rhinoplasty surgeons should have their planned operation in mind long before the day of surgery based on proper diagnosis... more

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Boxy or Narrow Tip?

The paried cartilage that shape the tip of the nose are shaped like the letter "M". Bringing the top of the "M" together will narrow the tip. This is usually done with sutures. You have to happy with your nose so you should do what you would like. However, I think you should consider narrowing your tip as that would make your nose more consistent cosmetic ideals. Good luck.

Benjamin Dunkley, DO
Salt Lake City Facial Plastic Surgeon

Something to discuss before the day of surgery

Dear Taliin, I firmly believe this is something you should discuss well in advance of surgery. The day of surgery is a very anxious period and not a time to make that decision. If you are asking advice from doctors in this blog then I am happy to offer this. I would correct the bifid boxy tip with an open rhinoplasty. I would reshape the tips and repair the cleft between the 2 lower lateral cartilages. The important thing to do is to keep the nose in balance for... more

Steven Schuster, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.schusterplasticsurgery.com

Nose tip

Your boxy tip is what we call a bifid tip. This caused by too much space between the lower lateral cartilages. This should be corrected. If you trim the tip cartilages and do not correct this you may may well end up with bossae.

David A. Bray, Sr., MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Boxy Tip Versus Round Tip. Advice Needed ASAP!

Boxy Tip Versus Round Tip. Advice Needed ASAP! My only concern would be that if an open Rhinoplasty is to be used to suture the nasal tip cartilages together, this cause IMHO, tip rotation of 5-7b degrees which would over-rotate your nasal tip making it appear short and pig-like. If it's through a closed Rhinoplasty, then this would not be an issue. I have performed Rhinoplasty for over 20 years and it's not what you want to have done but rather what can be done to... more

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Boxy vs round tip

After reviewing your photos i would agree with your surgeon in that performing a radix and dorsum reduction will make your tip appear larger. However, there is a much larger problem here. You and your surgeon are not on the same page. Do not wait until the day of surgery to discuss this further. Call him/her immediately to have further discussions until you feel that they understand what it is that you want and are willing/able to perform the surgery.... more

Donald M. Brown, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Should a boxy or bifid tip be changed?

You don't have to change the tip boxiness or bifidity if you don't want to. In the right hands it can be a subtle change. You should discuss this with your surgeon. Ideally he or she could perform computer morphing to show you what type of change is expected. Ultimately, the decision is yours, of course, based on your overall preference.

Thomas A Lamperti, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty for the bulbous tip.

Yes, your tip is boxy, but if you do not have alar grafts for your vertical cartilage malposition you will have a pinched tip. You may want to postpone your surgery until you get another opinion from an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Set your rhinoplasty goals well before your procedure

Most we see for rhinoplasty have disliked their nose for many years, and some idea of what is wrong, and which direction they wish to go. Well before any procedure we work with photos and computer imaging to determine just what the end result is meant to be, and arrive the day of surgery with a clear plan and understanding. If you are deciding what is right for you the day of surgery, you are unprepared. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Boxy tip and Tip Refinement

It is preferable to discuss the surgical plan prior to the surgery---not the day of, but at least a week before. On the day of the surgery the patient is nervous, the surgeon is anxious and no good comes from last minute decisions prior to starting surgery. IF necessary, the surgery should be post-pomed until a clear surgical plan is agreed upon by both parties: patient and surgeon. Clear concise conversation between the patient and surgeon will allay the apprehension... more

Jonathan Berman, MD
Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.drberman.com

Tip refinement

Your tip will look bigger after reducing the upper part and you should consider refinement. This should be decided well before your surgery, not on the day of. You need to see your doctor and discuss it further now. You have some ethnic features to your nose and both of you need to be on the same page as to how much of this you want to preserve vs how close you want to be to the "ideal nose". Postpone if you can't understand what he/she proposes for you.

Michael L. Schwartz, MD
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.palmbeachface.com

Nose tip

I would suggest you return to your doctor now, not waiting until the day of the procedure as this is a stressful time. I think you and your surgeon need to be on the same page. WIth the photos you submitted, I think that there is a chance that your tip will seem bigger to you if the upper nose is corrected alone. ask to see photos at your doctors office and get agreement on what your want and what the surgeons experience will tell you what he recommends.