How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Hanging Columella in California?

A hanging columella in itself is quite easy to fix.  If that is all that is needed, it can be done under local anesthesia in less than an hour.  Most commonly, I see this in patients who have had a previous rhinoplasty.  I usually charge about $2000 for it.

Hello ajoseph:

It's the right question to ask, but not the first question to ask.  The most important question that needs to be addressed before a fee quotation can be given is: What do I need to have done?  Is the hanging columella the only imperfection this nose has? 

The reason why I urge you to ask more questions before getting to fees: often, a hanging columella can be indicative of problems that need to be addressed.  One reason for a hanging columella may be a deviated septum.  Correction of a deviated septum (septoplatsy) is important to have properly-positioned columella and also perhaps to improve breathing.  The other issue is if correction of the hanging columella will have any influence on the location of the tip. 

You see, in rhinoplasty, what you do to one part of the nose can have an impact on the other parts.  It is not very often that only one step or one portion or one component of rhinoplasty surgery is performed. 

My best advice: be sure to have a very comprehensive consultation by someone who specializes in nasal surgery and does a large volume of it.  You need to have a careful internal examination of the nose to examine the septum and the turbinates, as well as evaluation of the nose's outside, obviously with great attention given to the structure, shape, and form of the columella.  Various issues must be taken into consideration, including the strength of the cartilages, the thickness of your skin, and other factors that impact on the outcome. 

My best advice is to please do more homework to make sure you are comfortable with understanding all the parameters of modern rhinoplasty surgery.  Read books, visit websites, and the more you know, the smarter questions you will ask and the more likely that you will have satisfactory rhinoplasty surgery.

Robert Kotler, MD, FACS
Facial Plastic Surgeon
Author, SECRETS OF A BEVERLY HILLS COSMETIC SURGEON
Author, THE ESSENTIAL COSMETIC SURGERY COMPANION
robertkotlermd.com

Repair of a hanging columella can be performed under local anesthesia. A simple procedure can cost about $3000. More complex procedures including septal work can cost more. You need a consultation with a nose specialist to determine your cosmetic needs.