A doctor recommended 5mm reduction on both nostrils to reduce flair, can I go 6 or 7 mm or is that too much? (Photos)

Question

I just had a consultation with a doctor who suggested a 5mm reduction on both sides of my nostrils to reduce flair. I really want a dramatic change because my nostrils are so large for a female, but I also don't want to hurt my breathing. I don't want to get a scar and pay for minimal change either. Is 5mm enough or should I go to a doctor who will do more?

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

5 mm ajar reduction is pretty substantial. I assume you will be awake during the surgery and can give your opinions. During the procedure. I perform one side first and then give the patient a mirror before I start the second side. You can look at it after the first side is done and decide if 5 mm was enough

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

It is very confusing to measure the alarplasty in mm. Typically it means that if you draw a line from the medial canthus downwards it should touch the sides of the nostrils. However, based on that a 5mm change will be huge. The other way to measure that might be more accurate is to measure the actual width of the wedge removed from the sides at its maximum width. 
Another point to remember is that in some patients the width of the nostrils is not as much of an issue as  the flare of the nostrils.
The best way IMHO is to think of alarplasty change as small, medium, large and jumbo. Squeeze the upper lip to bring together the nostrils and see how much change do you want. 
Regards
Dr. J

David M. Kowalczyk, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Good Afternoon! Alar base reduction can be very effective for narrowing the width of the nostrils. 5 mm of overall reduction (2.5 mm per side) is appropriate based on your pictures. If that was mentioned per side, I would be very cautious. The problem with narrowing the nostrils too much is it can make the tip and lower third of the nose looked pinch. Even worse, it can affect your breathing. The scars can heal quite nicely depending on the technique. Hope this helps!

Robert Ciardullo, MD · Answer

In 5 mm to conservative an alar plasty?Rhinoplasty is called the surgery of a millimeter, because even 1 mm too much or too little makes quite a visible difference. That is what makes rhinoplasty such a challenge. When it comes to an alar plasty 5 mm is not conservative, it is actually quite a lot to take from a patient with a Caucasian nose whose nostrils look like yours. Bear in mind that the relationship between the nostril base and the tip should be that of a triangle. If the nostril base is brought in too much it will appear along with the tip to be more like a rectangle which is very unappealing. Also Bear in mind that the more narrow the nostrils are made the more difficult it will be to breathe through them. So without putting a specific number on your particular nostrils I would say that 5 mm for a Caucasian nostril tuck is actually quite a lot.

A doctor recommended 5mm reduction on both nostrils to reduce flair, can I go 6 or 7 mm or is that too much? (Photos)

Answers (4)

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