Bulb nose: am I candidate for a non-surgical rhinoplasty? (photos)

Hello and thank you for your question! Unfortunately even though non-surgical nosejobs are popular, they are ALMOST ALWAYS done on patients who are poor candidates for it, and who would have much better results with a proper surgical rhinoplasty. For your nose, with the very bulbous nasal tip in addition to the long and under-rotated nose, you would be a perfect candidate for surgery. Filler would only add volume so it would make your nose appear even larger and would not be balanced with the rest of your face.

Many surgeons overlook key techniques that can otherwise soften the appearance of underlying structures, significantly improving tip symmetry and refinement, and resulting in beautiful and natural appearing results. These specialized maneuvers require a high level of expertise and experience, which most surgeons simply do not have. Given your history, an open septorhinoplasty would be the best approach to precisely reshape your nasal tip, refine the bridge, and restore overall balance.

In addition to reshaping your nose aesthetically, your septal cartilage (or an alternative graft material) would be used to create structural grafts, reinforcing key areas like the columella (the strip of tissue between your nostrils). This is crucial to maintaining long-term symmetry and preventing future distortions.

Rhinoplasty is one of the most technically demanding procedures in all of plastic surgery—millimeters make all the difference. If a surgeon is only performing one or two rhinoplasties per month, they simply do not have the level of experience necessary to achieve the best possible result. Your nose defines your entire face—this is NOT a surgery to leave in the hands of just anyone.

I have had extensive training in complex rhinoplasty, working under one of the highest-volume rhinoplasty surgeons in the world (who performs 1,000+ nose surgeries per year). If you’re serious about getting the best possible result, I’d be happy to see you for a consultation (Virtual or In-Person) where we can discuss your goals, perform a detailed examination, and create a customized plan for your ideal nose.

I look forward to helping you achieve the refined, balanced nose you deserve!

Dr. Donald Groves
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Based on your photos, you appear to have a wide and flat nasal appearance with a droopy tip, flaring nostrils, and relatively thick nasal skin. If you are looking to achieve tip narrowing and tip lifting, I believe you would be a better candidate for rhinoplasty surgery. I hope this helps and thank you for your question. Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Hi @Straightforward70837. Thank you for sharing your photos. You are an excellent candidate for a rhinoplasty. I recommend seeing an expert rhinoplasty specialist for an in person examination. There are several options for you that can be determined after examination.

Best of luck,

Dr. Nima

Hello, and thank you for your question. While fillers may help refine the nasal tip, they will provide limited benefit. The skin at the nasal tip is generally taut, thick, or has wide cartilages and therefore, not easy to shape. Furthermore, fillers technically add volume and may make the bulbous tip worse. A rhinoplasty will do a better job at reducing the bulbous tip with cartilage removal and suture techniques. To get all the information you need, I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with a reputable board-certified facial plastic surgeon, particularly one with a strong rhinoplasty portfolio. Your surgeon can properly assess your nose, discuss your concerns and goals, recommend the best approach, and help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Nonsurgical rhinoplasty can be used to reshape the nose by adding volume to the nose. With regards to the tip of the nose, some degree of refinement is possible to reduce the appearance of bulbosity or width of the tip of the nose, but this is limited by the thickness and extensibility of the tip skin. Often the tip skin will only allow for a certain amount of projection and refinement with fillers. Strategic placement will often allow for rotation of the tip of the nose, but counter-rotation, or lengthening the nose, is often not possible to any significant degree with nonsurgical rhinoplasty. If you want the best idea of what is possible for your nose, do your due diligence, find an experienced surgeon, and have him/her evaluate you in person and discuss your options. #drdonyoo

Dear Straightforward70837,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Based on your photos, it looks like you would benefit from rhinoplasty. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery