Am I a good candidate for a rhinoplasty? Is what I want feasible? (Photo)

Your nose seems to also be strong in its forward projection away from the face, so the tip could be brought back closer to your face. Then, when that's done, and also when the bump is removed, those two changes tend to make the nose *look* longer, as though the tip has drooped, so it's important to elevate the tip, and then elevate it even more because it looks long right now. The wide bridge can be addressed. Issues of small asymmetries of parts of the nose that are skin and not cartilage -- such as the alae (plural for ala) are much more difficult to address, but the other changes on your nose would be substantial.


How *much* to elevate the tip, or deproject the nose, or make other changes? We figure that out with morphs, well before surgery. I'd love for you to see some excellent professionally-designed morphs of what could possibly be done with your nose. Morphs could also help you identify better just what's bothering you, and help you set a goal for the rhinoplasty that's accurate for your tastes. Profile and three-quarter views would be particularly important in morphing your nose. (Side note: in my opinion, morphs should really be done by the surgeon, or he should direct an assistant as she makes the morphs. Morphs should be made with a constant eye to what actually *can* be done in surgery, for that particular nose, and the surgeon has that information and judgment best.)

Finally, remember that rhinoplasty is an exquisitely difficult operation to get right, and you should only have surgery if you are able to make yourself very confident in your surgeon's skills. The changes that your nose needs require advanced techniques, and skill that most plastic surgeons don't possess with expertise. It's much better to not have surgery than to have inexpertly-performed surgery. Read my essay on how to stay out of trouble while selecting a rhinoplasty surgeon. And it also discusses how to take photos that are best for online evaluations.

Rhinoplasty for your nose: rhinoplasty most typically is performed to remove a dorsal hump, deepin a high radix, refine and elevate a drooping tip, and in some cases elevate the columella which is one way to make nostrils look less high arched and flared. The width of the bridge is also routinely reduced during a routine rhinoplasty. if there is airway obstruction and the septum is deviated a septoplasty is routinely performed in conjunction with a rhinoplasty. The combined procedure is called a Septorhinoplasty. In my experience some septal work is required in approximately 50% of patients undergoing nasal surgery.

You are a candidate for a rhinoplasty. You need to deepen the radix. The dorsum appears relatively straight but inclined to one side. The bony portions appear to be a bit wide and need to be narrowed. The tip looks pretty good. The angle looks about 90 and you may want to increase it slightly. You need to retract the columella slightly.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.