Hello, I’m 34, female. Would I be a good candidate for alar rim lowering using ear or septum cartilage? I’m interested in improving the triangularity of my nose by fixing alar retraction. How much of an improvement would alar rim grafts make?
April 30, 2024
Answer: Alar retraction Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photographs, you may benefit from placement of extended alar contour grafts during your rhinoplasty to help treat the alar retraction. With good surgical technique, you could have an outstanding result. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
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April 30, 2024
Answer: Alar retraction Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photographs, you may benefit from placement of extended alar contour grafts during your rhinoplasty to help treat the alar retraction. With good surgical technique, you could have an outstanding result. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
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May 3, 2024
Answer: Alar rim grafting would be a good choice Hi there!I took a look at your photos. I think the best option for you would to have composite ear conchal cartilage alar rim grafts for alar rim lowering. The reason I recommend composite grafts (cartilage with skin attached) is because they tend to resorb the least of all alar rim grafts and provide the best outcome. You could achieve an improvement of 2-3 millimeters which would be the ideal alar position. Your right side is slightly more retracted than your left side, so that will have to be accounted for when your surgeon harvests the grafts. Additionally, you should know that the alae will look lower that you would like (overcorrected) for 3-6 months if it has been done correctly. The contraction of the graft (inevitable) will cause some retraction of the alar length after grafting, so if overcorrected, the result should end up being appropriate once your nose has had time to heal and contract. Otherwise, from what I am able to see, your nose has ideal aesthetic proportions! Some surgeons may perform this procedure under sedation in the office, whereas others might recommend anesthesia in the operating room. It would also depend on your preference. Good luck with your facial plastic journey!Elizabeth Blasberg, MD.
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May 3, 2024
Answer: Alar rim grafting would be a good choice Hi there!I took a look at your photos. I think the best option for you would to have composite ear conchal cartilage alar rim grafts for alar rim lowering. The reason I recommend composite grafts (cartilage with skin attached) is because they tend to resorb the least of all alar rim grafts and provide the best outcome. You could achieve an improvement of 2-3 millimeters which would be the ideal alar position. Your right side is slightly more retracted than your left side, so that will have to be accounted for when your surgeon harvests the grafts. Additionally, you should know that the alae will look lower that you would like (overcorrected) for 3-6 months if it has been done correctly. The contraction of the graft (inevitable) will cause some retraction of the alar length after grafting, so if overcorrected, the result should end up being appropriate once your nose has had time to heal and contract. Otherwise, from what I am able to see, your nose has ideal aesthetic proportions! Some surgeons may perform this procedure under sedation in the office, whereas others might recommend anesthesia in the operating room. It would also depend on your preference. Good luck with your facial plastic journey!Elizabeth Blasberg, MD.
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