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Is a Long Nose Shortened Only by Rotating the Tip?

asked 9 months ago by PinkCigarette in Los Angeles, CA
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 370 times
Tags: nose tip rotation, shorten

I spoke to a doctor who said that the only way to make a nose shorter is to rotate the tip. Is this so? My nose is overprojected and large, in general, I am worried that if only the hump is removed, the nose will appear long in profile view. My question is, how is a nose shortened (not de-projected)...is rotating the tip and risking a "piggy" look really the only option?

13 answers to Is a Long Nose Shortened Only by Rotating the Tip?

Rhinoplasty to shorten the nose.

Yes, this can be done several ways. I would need to see your photos to give you an accurate opinion for your nose. You do not end up with a piggy nose!

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Long tip

If your nose is long in the tip, it really depends. Sometimes the nasal tip is deconstructed and shortened like legs on a chair that are too long are cut off.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Is a Long Nose Shortened Only by Rotating the Tip?

Yes a long nose has a downward rotated nasal tip. Rotating the tip up will shorten the nose but this is different than tip projection. Projection is how far, off the face, the tip extends. If over-projected, the tip would need to be decreased as a separate issue to tip rotation.

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

Shortening the Nose & "Piggy-Look"

With careful pre-op planning you will not "risk" a piggy look - you and your surgeon will establish reasonable goals. If rotating the tip is not acceptable, there are ways to camouflage the actual nasal length. A natural result will be achieved if all parts of the nose are balanced and proportional. Your concerns are appropriate - if you provide pictures or I can examine your nose I will make specific recommendations.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Changing nasal length

There are a few ways to achieve this effect but it depends on what you are starting with. -if you have a droopy tip and long nose then rotation is the right choice. This can be achieved with tip-plasty maneuvers with or without shortening of the septum. - if you have a normally rotated tip or an over-rotated one (rare issue) then shortening the caudal septum may work, as well as reducing the nasal spine. You have to be careful here, though, since sometimes the tip will rotate up more... more

Richard W. Westreich, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon

Shortening a nose in rhinoplasty

There are several ways to shorten a nose. Rotating up the tip is one option, but it can leave an overly upturned appearance if rotated too much. Each nose is different and you need to consult with a rhinoplasty expert Facial Plastic surgeon. For example, if the nose is too long from the lip-columella point to the tip, rotating the tip will do little. Correction for this involves reducing the anterior septum, shortening the nasal spine (if needed) and even shortening... more

David Alessi, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Length, Projection, and Rotation

You bring up some great points. Reducing projection and reducing length are not the same thing. Rotating the tip is not the only way to shorten a nose. You can also shorten a nose by trimming the caudal septum. Also, lowering the dorsum and reducing tip projection can both help reduce the size of your nose, but not necessarily the length of the nose. It's difficult to comment on what maneuvers would give you the best result without photos, and without knowing what your goals are. A... more

Anita Patel, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Shortening the long nose

There are several ways to shorten a long nose, tip rotation, reducing tip projection, and septal shortening. The tip need not be over rotated or up turned. Computer imaging can help demonstrate just what is causing in 'length' and give insights into the fix needed. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty and nasal shortening

Hello Pinkcigarette, Nasal length can be addressed by three different means: lowering the dorsum, which brings the radix (root of the nose that exists between the eyes) lower, rotating the tip, and shortening the caudal septem and anterior nasal spine. In 2011, photographic morphing is a standard to help patients envision their nose, and also allow you and your surgeon to more effectively communicate about what you want and don't want. This is essential... more

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Please send your pictures

Your points about the rotation and nose length is correct. I would suggest digital imaging and morphing as a preoperative evaluation tool.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Nose Shortening

Without seeing you, it's hard to say what your nose will look like only after hump removal. If you are concerned that your nose will look long in the profile view, the nose can be shortened. Depending on how much needs to be shortened, a couple of different methods can be used but there is some degree of rotation. Every nose is different, but there are defined criteria to maintain the aesthetics of the nose. I think that the rhinoplasty needs to be done in a way that... more

Kimberly Lee, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Shortening

In general, shortening the nose results in increased rotation. Your surgeon can control this to some degree. Are you sure you want shortening or reduced projection. Also look at your chin. A short chin will make the nose appear long

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

Shortening long nose

Hi. You make a very good point with your question. Yes, there is some degree of rotation when the nose is shortened but this is controlled by the surgeon who will take into consideration the degree of shortening and rotation needed when correcting your areas of concern,ie, the nasal hump and overprotected tip. Careful and conservative rotation is beneficial and your concern about an overly turned up nose should be communicated to your surgeon. Good luck!