How Long After Rhinoplasty Can I Have Alar Reduction?

Alar wedge reduction or alarplasty can be performed after a rhinoplasty, but it is important to wait at least two to three months to let the majority of the swelling subside prior to undertaking a decision to do the alarplasty. Alarplasty is nonreversible, and it is important to make that judgment decision once most of the swelling from the rhinoplasty has resolved.

I recommend waiting 3-4 months after the rhinoplasty to decide if you want alar reduction. Take a deep breath; the anxiety you are experiencing two weeks after surgery is caused by the swelling you see and your uncertainty about the final result. Be sure to share your thoughts with your surgeon.

Minimum 6 months, better if 1 year. You really need to wait for things to settle to see all the relationships. You also need to really be aware of the resulting scars that alar reduction produces. It is unlike rhinoplasty where the scars are hidden. These scars are placed in locations where they are less likely to show, but still are some what prominent. So if you are borderline and can possibly do without, then I would not recommend it. Good luck.

One month minimum. One year ideal. If you are healing well and majority of the swelling is gone, then one month is safe. However, the shape of the nose might keep changing for the first year. That will make it difficult to assess the amount of alar reduction needed. In summary, be patient and wait for one year. Regards

I assume you are talking about a wide alar base. I usually do this at the time of surgery if I am sure it is needed. If I am unsure or it is borderline, I will usually do it anytime that is convenient to the patient after about 6 weeks under local anesthesia. Fortunately, it is a fairly simple and painless revision with very little downtime if any.

Actually I try to stage alar narrowing on many of the Rhinoplasties I do. We will come back in 6-12 months to narrow the alar base if we actually feel it is needed. Most of the time when given a choice at that time, patients do not feel that anything further is required. If they do then we will proceed under a local anesthetic only. This is a skin operation and it does not involve bone or cartilage. The important thing to remember is that this is the one part of a Rhinoplasty... more

Hi Trueblood, At this point, two weeks after your rhinoplasty, it would be best to wait at least a few more weeks to allow the swelling of your nasal tissue to decrease. Let your nose settle, and then re-evaluate. Discuss your concerns with your rhinoplasty surgeon. Make sure that your surgeon is comfortable with alar narrowing if you continue to feel that it is necessary. If your surgeon still feels that it is not indicated, you lose nothing be waiting. After a few months if you still... more

Trueblood83, Wide noses are a common problem. Generally, alar reduction to narrow the nostrils is a very straightforward procedure. Nostril narrowing may be performed with the initial rhinoplasty, or delayed as a touch up procedure as needed. You may have alar reduction relatively soon after the initial rhinoplasty. If you and the rhinoplasty surgeon feel that alar narrowing is appropriate, then I suggest waiting at least 6 weeks to allow a majority of the initial surgical swelling to... more