What would be the cost to shaving one lower lateral cartilage down to (somewhat match) the other side? (photos)

Question

I am having a septoplasty soon, which I understand will not fix the uneven lower lateral cartilage on one side of my nose. I do not want to touch the bridge of my nose at all. I just want to reduce one side. Is that possible? What is the cost and what would it entail?

Manish H. Shah, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello Frostinad,Thanks for your question.The treatment that I would recommend for improving the asymmetry in your tip long term is called a tip rhinoplasty.  Your tip cartilages are being affected by the distal end of your septum and twisting.  The distal septum needs to be altered and repositioned so the tip cartilages can be addressed and evened out.  This is a procedure that I perform in an office setting using local anesthesia and oral sedation.  It is well tolerated by the patient and the results are very satisfying.If you want to have the full septoplasty (to improve airway flow) performed at the same time, I would recommend general anesthesia instead of local.In my practice, when a patient pays for cosmetic surgery, I don't add a fee for a simple septoplasty.The fee for a tip rhinoplasty in office starts at $3500 and for a tip rhinoplasty plus septoplasty in the surgery center starts around $6000.If you would like more information, please contact us at my office in Cherry Creek.Take care,Dr. Shah

William Portuese, MD · Answer

The cost of a rhinoplasty is determined by the amount of time it takes to perform the procedure in an operating room, time under anesthesia monitored by an anesthesiologist, and the surgeon's professional fee separate from the septoplasty. The limited photographs demonstrate significant asymmetry in the lower lateral cartilages of the nasal tip which will require extensive work including potential cartilage grafts and suture techniques. This is much more complicated than a septoplasty.For many examples, more information and our current price list, please see the link and the video below

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

With regard to the tip of your nose, you're a candidate for tip rhinoplasty to improve the shape and symmetry of your nose. Your tip cartilages are crooked, asymmetric and of different sizes so tip refinement would involve more than just shaving cartilage away. This can be performed at the same time as your septoplasty and this is a commonly performed combination of procedures. Cost for tip rhinoplasty varies widely but is usually between $5500-8500. That range probably seems very high for what you are seeking but improvement in your tip would take a lot more work than it seems.I hope this information is helpful for you.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Fred J. Bressler, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for sharing your photos and concerns. It is common to consider improving the shape and appearance of the nose while undergoing septoplasty. You appear to have lovely features with thin skin and nasal tip asymmetry. Cartilage harvested from your septum and the time of your septoplasty is perfect for use in a rhinoplasty requiring cartilage grafts, as in your case. I can appreciate you wanting natural changes and limiting your surgery to just the tip. I recommend you spend some time in consultation with a reputable, experience rhinoplasty specialist to discuss your goals. A complete nasal exam and computer imaging studies would be very helpful in planning your surgery. Careful planning should lead you to the best, natural outcome and eliminate your anxiety about nasal tip rhinoplasty. The cost and approach will vary for the non-insurance related portion of your case. Please discuss this in detail with your physician to best understand his/her fee schedule.

Michael Elam, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear Frostinad, A septorhinoplasty is a combined procedure addressing both aesthetics and function. You can't just reduce one cartilage to balance your nose. The nose is a three dimensional structure and when one portion is reduced you may have other areas become unbalanced. A consultation aided with digital imaging will be able to show you the proposed results and then the surgeon can go into detail with you regarding the techniques that will be used to attain the desired result. The functional portion of your surgery may be covered by insurance and the aesthetic portion will be out of pocket expense. If you are considering fixing the tip of your nose you should not separate the septoplasty from the rhinoplasty at different times. Make sure your surgeon is an expert in both aesthetics and function. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.

What would be the cost to shaving one lower lateral cartilage down to (somewhat match) the other side? (photos)

Answers (5)

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