Alar Width Reduction or a Weir Excision for Wide, Bulbous Nose?

Question

Along with the width of my nose, I really don't like the tip as well it is quite bulbous, the problem is that from side pictures it is very overprojected as well. I feel like a lost cause also because the skin is pretty thick. Could you fix that for the tip of my nose? What kind of procedure do you think could be done to my nose?

Sam Jejurikar, MD · Answer

Hi,

	In your frontal view, it's hard to appreciate the overprojection of the nasal tip. You do have a wide nasal tip, which is a combination of thick nasal skin and thick lower lateral cartilage. Rhinoplasty could improve the appearance of your nasal tip significantly. Given the thickness of your nasal skin, however, you will never have a truly refined appearance to the nasal tip.

	From the frontal view, it's hard to appreciate a need for Weir excision - a worm's eye view might allow better assessment.

	Hope this helps. Best of luck.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

It is very difficult to do an alar width reduction.  However, Weir excision can be done as an alarplasty procedure to narrow the nostrils.  Full delivery dome suturing techniques and removal of some of the tip cartilage can all be done at the same time to reduce and feminize the size of the bulbous tip.

Robert B. Pollack, MD · Answer

Even with the thickened skin you would see a good improvement with refinement of the tip of your nose and reduction of the height and width of the side of your nostrils. An experienced plastic surgeon should be able to suggest this for you.

	Hope this helps.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

From your photos it appears that your upper 2/3 of your nose is quite narrow. While I only see your front view, I understand you concern.  Yes, it appears that the lower 1/3 is quite wide. Tip refinement can be achieved as well as base narrowing.  If your skin is very thick the results will not be as well defined as someone with thin skin.

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

It would have been VERY helpful for us to see a SIDE picture of the nose as well. It is hard to give advice without seeing a full series of nasal views (Front, Front looking over so nostrils are seen (worm's eye view), Oblique Side and side).

	The nasal tip is made up of two cartilage arches called the LOWER LATERAL CARTILAGES. The thickness of the arches and their relations to one another determines the shape of the tip. From the frontal view you have a very bulbous tip. That can be corrected by NARROWING the width of your very wide Lower lateral cartilages and further suture shaping the tip. The amount of tip projection can be reduced with various degrees of separation of the tip from the front edge of the cartilage septum (by a so called transfixion incision). In rate cases, other things such as tip grafts can be used. I do NOT think that a Weir excision is required here UNLESS the tip is lowered too much. In that case the outer walls of the nostrils will bow out and then a Weir may be called for.

	Good Luck.

Alar Width Reduction or a Weir Excision for Wide, Bulbous Nose?

Answers (8)

Answer: Rhinoplasty and tip and width

Answer: Rhinoplasty and tip and width

Answer: Tip refinement or weir excision for bulbous nose

Answer: Tip refinement or weir excision for bulbous nose

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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Alar Width Reduction or a Weir Excision for Wide, Bulbous Nose?

Answers (8)

Answer: Rhinoplasty and tip and width

Answer: Rhinoplasty and tip and width

Answer: Tip refinement or weir excision for bulbous nose

Answer: Tip refinement or weir excision for bulbous nose

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.