Okay to Have Alarplasty a Year After Rhinoplasty?

Hello,
This would not be considered a revision, it is narrowing the ala (with weir incisions). It may be performed at the same time or at different times. Hope this helps answer your question.
Dr. Nassif

Nostril reduction surgery (called Alarplasty / Alar Base Reduction) is a procedure that can narrow the width of the nostril base, decrease the amount of nostril flaring, or decrease the size of the nostrils.
To accomplish this, the surgeon makes an incision in the crease where the nostril wall meets the cheek. A wedge shaped piece of nostril wall is removed, and when the incision is sewn closed, the nostril narrowing is achieved.
Alar base reduction is typically performed as the very last step in rhinoplasty. After all of the changes are made to the nose, your surgeon should then analyze the nostril width and flare. If these factors need to be improved, then the surgeon usually proceeds with an alarplasty.
It is possible to perform this procedure alone or as part of a rhinoplasty. It can be performed alone, but keep in mind that in order for the nose to appear natural, it must adhere to certain proportions and also be in balance with the other facial features. To get a better understanding of how your nose might look after surgery, your surgeon should be able to show you computer images that will simulate the proposed results of surgery. Recently, 3D imaging has become available and allows patients to visualize the changes from multiple angle.s

Hi CC,
It is best to give the "green light" to your rhinoplasty surgeon at the time of your initial rhinoplasty to go ahead with alarplasty if felt needed at the end of your operation.
It is perfectly okay to wait and see if it is necessary. The alarplasty can be done under local anesthetic in the office if need be.
Good luck, and enjoy your new nose.
Dr. P

Though most patients have it done at the same time, some patients with only a small amount of alar width may prefer to do it in a year. There is no problem with doing it that way. The cost will probably be a little more since they will require 2 operations instead of one. 

I prefer to perform alarplasty simultaneously with Rhinoplasty for most patients, when indicated. However, in some circumstances I actually might recommend that patients wait close to a year for alarplasty. The two main reasons are, first if the patient has a very over-projected tip (sticks out too far), bringing the tip back is like dropping a tent pole, the walls can widen. If it is a dramatic change, I usually do the alarplasty with the Rhinoplasty. If there is a marginal change I may suggest waiting. The second reason is that this is the only external incision I perform on most primary rhinoplasties. I prefer the intranasal approach for most noses. So, if the patient doesn't have really wide nostrils and not sure if they are willing to have any external incisions, I offer to let them wait to see how they like the nose without the alarplasty.
Unlike revision rhinoplasty, alarplasty can be performed easily under local anesthesia and will not require "opening" up the entire nose again and has little effect on the rest of the nose and other surgical maneuvers. I published on this topic last spring in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.