Rhinoplasty Q&A
80%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
Rhinoplastybefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Rhinoplasty Cost: $5,975

Learn about Rhinoplasty

5,053 people and 803 doctors are talking about Rhinoplasty

Get Free Email Updates

Drastic Rhinoplasty - More Than One Surgery Required?

asked 1 year ago by 8428anon in Los Angeles, CA
Latest answer by Ramtin Kassir, MD
Question viewed 749 times
Tags: nose tip, nostrils, bulbous, hump, refine pores, removal

I've read that the best nose jobs are conservative ones. I want to get rhinoplasty but the changes I want (nostril width reduction; hump removal; reducing the size of my bulbous nose’s tip and refining so that it has a more normal shape) seem (at least to me) to be requests that would not be considered “conservative.” My question is: Can nose jobs that significantly alter the shape of the nose be completed in one operation? or does a “drastic” kind of change take several procedures?

22 answers to Drastic Rhinoplasty - More Than One Surgery Required?

+1

Drastic Rhinoplasty

Although you are considering multiple changes in your nose, this is not "drastic" surgery. An experienced rhinoplasty surgeon will bring all nasal  structures into proportion - this can and should be done in one operation. When I first started in practice 35 years ago may surgeons did aggressive rhinoplasties, removing a lot of tissue,  which resulted in noses with pinched tips and scooped-out profiles.  The goal should be refinement with improved definition and a... more
+2

Beverly Hills Rhinoplasty

Hello and thank you for the question. Rhinoplasty procedures routinely address several constituents of the nose which often require surgical modification to impart optimal aesthetic results. These include dorsal humps, bulbous tips, boxy tips, nostril width modification, hanging columella, tip ptosis, a long nose, a "wide nose", and more.  While addressing several aspects of the nose may seem "drastic" to the general population, it is standard protocol... more
+2

Rhinoplasty- drastic versus conservative

The changes you describe do not sound "drastic" or unusual. They sound like reasonable goals that can be performed in one operation. Each individual step of the operation can be done in a conservative or drastic fashion, and the terms themselves mean different things to different surgeons. The best thing to do is avoid vague terminology, be very clear with your surgeon on what you want, and ask if your surgeon feels your goals are reasonable and achievable. Photographs of what type... more
+2

Rhinoplasty Results

Rhinoplasty surgery has evolved over the past several decades from a surgery that relied primarily on removing tissue to one that relies more on modifying and remodeling existing tissue.  From this perspective, current rhinoplasties are "conservative" when compared to previous techniques.  Why the change?  Although noses looked terrific immediately following rhinoplasty surgeries employing aggressive cartilage removal, the long term results were much less... more
+1

Rhinoplasty, no matter how drastic, should look natural

Conservative surgery is best, and it sounds as if yours needs more than subtle changes. The key is to understand what a natural nose looks like and give you a similar type of nose. No matter what changes are made and how relatively "drastic", all is well as long as the end result looks normal (triangular nose that fits your facial features). All the potential changes you speak of are not daunting and absolutely can be done in a single operation. Please look at... more
+1

Drastic rhinoplasty

The typical reduction rhinoplasty is usually performed in 1 procedure.  This includes refinement of the tip, bridge, hump removal, osteotomies, and reducing the bulbus nasal tip.  There is a 10% chance of having to go back for a touchup procedure after the first year for further refinement.  90% of the time patients do not require a touchup.  All of this can even be accomplished for a conservative rhinoplasty result or a drastic rhinoplasty result.   To do photo... more
+1

Drastic Rhinoplasty in One Procedure Possible

Absolutely, all these problems can and should be addressed in one primary surgery. However you need to find an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon who is comfortable with this work ,and gets great results doing it.
+1

Rhinoplasty - One procedure or Multiple procedures

Hi 8428anon, Rhinoplasty is not one operation, but many potential operations. Every patient is unique. Reducing nostril width, reducing the hump, and refining the tip are commonly performed at the same time during rhinoplasty. Reducing the hump from a nose is the most common request for cosmetic nasal surgery. Humps are usually made up of both cartilage and bone, and come in various sizes and shapes. Reducing small humps is a relatively easier procedure, as compared to more... more
+1

Rhinoplasty should result in naturally attractive look

No, I think you misunderstood.  The best Rhinoplasties are those that result in the nose looking more naturally attractive.  This doesn't mean that what was done during the Rhinoplasty was conservative at all.  In fact, I've removed half an inch from the bridge of noses and 60% of the nasal tip cartilages to shape them...which is hardly conservative. Conservative means that little is done during surgery.... Hope this helps.
+1

Major changes of nasal shape can be achieved.

The short answer to your question is "yes," even major changes to the nasal shape can be achieved in one rhinoplasty surgery. In fact, it's especially important to try to get the nose done right the first time. The primary limitation on how much the nose can be changed is related to skin thickness. Very thick skin, for example, will not allow for aggressive reductions in size or major alterations in definition simply because there's only so much the skin can contract down... more
+1

Drastic nasal changes with rhinoplasty

The nasal changes you are interested in making are not unusual and certainly could be address in one rhinoplasty surgery. Not all rhinoplasty operations produce drastic results, but depending on patient wishes this can be done. Rhinoplasty has become a lot more conservative over time in that less tissue is removed and is repositioned instead. The idea is to produce a natural appearing nose that does not appear operated on and artificial.
+1

There is no Drastic Rhinoplasty

The changes you describe are quite standard and would not be considered drastic by any means. The desired outcome of a procedure is a very personal choice. What one person thinks is drastic might be considered conservative by another. Most surgeries are easy to accomplish in a single procedure. That's not to say that a small percentage of patients will request revision surgery. However, planning two separate stages is not common practice. If a surgeon recommended this to you, I... more
+1

"Drastic" rhinoplasty does NOT require more than 1 operation!

Whatever changes your nose requires to achieve the results you are seeking are best accomplished in as few operations as possible! In most cases this is ONE operation, but every surgeon who does nose surgery has occasional patients who request or require additional surgery. PLANNING in advance for more than one procedure is generally NOT recommended, though I sometimes will do all of the changes that a patient requests EXCEPT for the Weir excisions (at the side and base of each nostril)... more
+1

Multiple nose issues and rhinoplasty.

Multiple nose issues and rhinoplasty are not "drastic".  Some noses only require one problem corrected while others  may require 6 or 7 problems addressed--all in one rhinoplasty. That is different than an "overdone" nose which looks surgical. 
+1

Even a drastic rhinoplasty is a single procedure

Rhinoplasty is often a procedure of small changes to enhance the characteristics of the nose, though sometimes 'drastic' changes are needed to reach the goal of the procedure. Even with very large hump reduction, correction of a severely twisted nose, thinning a very full tip, rhinoplasty is a single procedure tailored to the task at hand, rather than a 'staged' procedure. Even the worst nose can be corrected in a single step. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd more
+1

Rhinoplasty

Your requests for improvement of your nose are quite common.  But even in the best hands, there is about a 5-15% revision rate.
+1

Rhinoplasty Surgery may be tailored for your specific needs and you could see dramatic results.

I read your concerns. In my practice, some of my patients require dramatic changes in the appearance of their noses, and some require less. It depends on what you're starting with and where you want to go. In general, patients with very large, long noses with droopy, bulbous tips will see the most dramatic change after Rhinoplasty Surgery. Computer-imaging may be helpful for you to determine what to expect after well-performed Rhinoplasty Surgery. Rhinoplasty Surgery is not staged over... more
+1

Rhinoplasty Los Angeles

All the changes that you have listed are usually performed in rhinoplasty if they are needed.  I think you should find out whether the "drastic" change that you are looking for can be achieved by rhinoplasty, but the issue should not be one or more than surgeries.  See an experienced rhinoplsaty surgeon who can domonstrate the expected resultes with the help of computer imaging.
+1

Drastic Rhinoplasty - More Than One Surgery Required?

What you describe is the hallmark of ethnic nose. This is the most challenging surgery requiring surgeon experienced in this type of noses. This is achieved in one surgery. We have never told patient that two or more surgeries needed. Once, what is needed is done, then all that is needed is occasional steroid injection during the immediate post operative period to reduce the scarring and swelling. Look at the before and after pictures before your surgery.
+1

Conservative is the right approach

Many rhinoplasty procedures that are performed include all what you described, dorsal hump reduction, tip reduction and changing the size of the nostril. It would be helpful if you discuss exactly what you are looking for in terms of shape with your plastic surgeon. It also helpful if you can show pictures of other people whom you like your nose to look alike.  The results of surgery depends on many factors including, but not limited to,  type of your skin, size of the hump and... more
+1

Drastic Rhinoplasty - More Than One Surgery Required?

A conservative approach to rhinoplasty can still yield spectacular results,preferably in one single sitting.Find a rhinoplasty expert in your area and consult with him/her.
+1

Drastic Rhinoplasty - More Than One Surgery Required?

Yes, rhinoplasty can change the shape in one operation. Best to see a true expert in your area, like Dr Toby Mayer (in LA). Regards Dr. B

Ask a question