What causes a sideways nose like this & can it be corrected with surgery? (Photo)

Hello and thank you for your question and the pictures. Addressing the shape of your nose and straightening a crooked nose are actually two of the most common reasons people seek out and undergo a rhinoplasty. You are an excellent candidate for surgery! An open septorhinoplasty can best address both your aesthetic concerns and any functional issues with your nose. I would be able to straighten your nose, and at the same time adjust the size, shape, and definition of your nose!

This truly is a surgery of millimeters- and whether you're looking for a minor adjustment or a major transformation, it requires exceptional surgical skill to achieve functional and natural-looking results! Because your nose is the DEFINING feature of your face- I would only recommend seeing a surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty procedures, and who has significant training and experience performing these surgeries. I actually trained under one of the world leading rhinoplasty experts (who performs 1,000+ nosejobs annually).

I recommend for you to setup a formal consultation with me (or another plastic surgeon who is extremely comfortable with rhinoplasties) to thoroughly discuss your surgical goals, undergo a formal examination, evaluate your options, and develop a personalized plan just for you. I hope this helps!

Dr. Donald Groves
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Based on your frontal photo, your nose appears more crooked than slanted. I can see a convexity along the left side wall of your nose that is perhaps leading to a crooked appearance. Your profile photo appears to show a sizable dorsal hump. The most challenging part of your surgery may be the fact that you have thin nasal skin. Thin nasal skin tends to show more irregularities after nasal surgery so the expertise of your surgeon will be critical. I hope this is helpful! Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Thank you for your question and photos. In order for a crooked nose to be properly treated, the cause must first be identified. If the bone structure is causing the crooked appearance, osteotomies may be performed (breaking the nasal bones) in order to straighten the nose. If the cartilage is the cause, there are several rhinoplasty techniques that can help. Straightening the cartilaginous portion of the nose may involve grafts, struts, or a septorhinoplasty procedure to correct a deviated septum, though a thorough physical examination is required to determine what steps might be right for you.

Keep in mind that rhinoplasty is one of the most complex of all plastic surgery procedures, requiring experience, skill, and even artistry to achieve an optimal outcome. I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon, with expertise in rhinoplasty techniques. They will be able to discuss your concerns with you and determine the best approach to help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

Correction of a crooked nose: in the photos you show , Your nose certainly does not look like it is on “sideways“. If you nose is crooked, it is probably due to a deviated septum. This is usually due to a developmental process although in some cases there may have been some early childhood trauma that the patient is generally not aware of. In any event you also have a dorsal hump. The procedure to refine the nose, trim the hump and correct any crookedness that may exist is called a septorhinoplasty. This involves a rhinoplasty to make the nose smaller and prettier, and a septoplasty to straighten the septum which improves the crooked appearance and may improve the airway if there is airway obstruction. You use the word“Easy“. Nothing about Rhinoplasty or septoplasty is easy or guaranteed but in competent hands the percentages are extremely good.

Dear thefarrahmonster,

Sideways would be an extreme exaggeration of your modestly deviated nose. The deviation likely occurred during the development and growth of your nose during your teens. Regardless of the cause, your dorsal hump and deviation can likely be corrected with a septoplasty and rhinoplasty. Seek consultation with an American Board of Plastic Surgery certified plastic surgeon for an examination of the cause of the deviation and options for correction. Good luck!

You appear to have some degree of facial asymmetry,so it's important to have realistic expectations regarding straightening the nose even after a rhinoplasty surgery. You have a large dorsal hump which can be shaved down to give you a better side profile, and your mildly crooked nose can be improved, but not perfect.