Narrowing Base of Nose Without Weir Excision- Suggestions?

asked 7 months ago by bluecrush73 in Minneapolis, MN
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 403 times
Tags: narrow, recommendation, technique

I saw a doctor a few months ago regarding a rhinoplasty procedure. I wasn't exactly prepared so I'm going in again in a weeks to meet with him again. When I was there he did mention taking out some of the cartilage in my base (don't remember the specifics) and doing a weir excision. He didn't really feel the weir was necessary and I don't think I want that done either. Just wondering if I could get some advice on what would be beneficial to have done. Sorry for the creepyness of the eyes blurred

11 answers to Narrowing Base of Nose Without Weir Excision- Suggestions?

Narrowing the Base of the Nose without Weirs

On the basis of the one picture you submitted, Weirs are not necessary, but a view of the base of your nose would be helpful. Besides the different Weir incisions a cinching suture is sometimes used to narrow the base. You are smart to reconsult with your physician - when possible, I always encourage my patients to return to review the choice discussed during our initial consult. Both the patient and surgeon should clarify goals and expectations before this operation.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Before Rhinoplasty: Need to see the results both ways

Hello: Before rhinoplasty, you need to see the result, with and without, Weir excision and nostril narrowing. Frankly, if the plastic surgeon is uncertain, and you are undecided whether or not to have the nostril narrowing, I suggest that you have the doctor perform computer imaging. You'll see on a computer screen the predicted result of surgery - both with and without the nostril narrowing. In other words: Version "A" would be the... more

Robert Kotler, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Narrowing base of nose w/o weir excisions

The only way to reduce the width of the nasal base is to perform weir excisions at the base of the nostril sill. The removal and trimming of the lower lateral cartilage in the tip will narrow the tip of the nose, but will not change the base.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Narrowing Base of Nose Without Weir Excision- Suggestions?

A photo of the base view would be helpful in evaluating the base of your nose however from the photos you do have wide and prominent lower lateral (tip) cartilages despite a well defined (narrow) domal, tip area. Refining and narrowing this area would require a Tip plasty as part of a closed Rhinoplasty. This, of course, a different area than the base of the columella.

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

Rhinoplasty

The weir excision involves removing skin at the nose lip junction to decrease the distance between the lower outer corners of the nose. From your posted photos I do not see why that would be necessary in your case. The desired distance is equal to that between the inner and outer corner of an eye, about 32mm, and you already have that. I would think the usual infracture and trimming of the upper edge of the tip cartilages would suffice. I hope you realize that this format of posting... more

Aaron Stone, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Wide nostrils and rhinoplasty

From the photos, all your work can be done without external incisions. Of course, and in-person examination is really the only way to tell for sure. However, the nostrils do appear a bit wide. To narrow the flaring effect, internal Weir's would have to be done. This would eliminate any external incisions. Good luck.

David Alessi, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Why the Weir at the base of the nose

There are many patterns of the Weir excision at the base of the nose and they can accomplish many things. Based on your photo the Weir may help reduce any flair in the nostril as the height of the nose is reduced, and the excision can help reduce the width of the base of the nose which seems best set at the width of the inner corners of the eyes. When well done the scar is imperceptible. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Alar Base Narrowing

Hi, There are several different ways to narrow the nostrils. Weirs technique was described by Dr. Weirs and the term is used for all alar base narrowing techniques. However, in my practice I use either a horizontal intra-nasal narrowing technique or a vertical narrowing technique. In your case I would suggest an intra-nasal narrowing technique. You can refer to my website for more information on this technique. Best, Dr.S.

Oleh Slupchynskyj, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.facechange.org

There are several techniques to reduce nostril size

There are several different techniques that can be used to reduce nostril size. Visit with an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon to see what is your best option. Warmest regards. Dr. Pippin

Gregory Pippin, MD
New Orleans Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.pippinmd.com

Weirs

As long an your alar base width os fine with you, i would avoid the weirs excisions. The natural shape of the base changes but, in some cases the tradeoff is worth it. Internal weirs or nostril sill excision is an option as is a cinchig suture