Two years pot op and one alar rim is thicker than the other - can this be corrected? (photos)

Question

I had a rhinoplasty 2 years ago and was left with one alar rim thicker than the other. Is this something fixible or I have to live like this?

Donald B. Yoo, MD, FACS · Answer

Your surgeon will be in the most educated position to answer this for you definitively. Asymmetries always exist to a certain extent before surgery, and many remain after surgery. Certain asymmetries can be improved during surgery, but in terms of your nostrils the biggest source of asymmetry I can see in your photos is the way the alar base attaches on the right compared to the left. The vertical height of the alar rims is different, and the way it is attached is more oblique on the left vs. right. I would suspect that this is something that was also present prior to surgery, but perhaps not noticed.

The short answer would be - if you love every other aspect of your nose, it's probably best to leave the nose alone. If there are other aspects you are looking to change, then it's something that could be discussed.

The short answer would be - if you love every other aspect of your nose, it's probably best to leave the nose alone. If there are other aspects you are looking to change, then it's something that could be discussed.

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

It is almost impossible to achieve nostril symmetry. Any attempts can lead to taking too much off one side and then going back to take some more from the other side. As this goes on permanent scarring with poor healing can lead to worst asymmetry than before the surgery was done. 
Also, it is very important to remember that nobody will look at your nostrils from below. From the front view the nostrils don't look as asymmetric as from below. Unless the asymmetry is really obvious and disfiguring, it should be left alone.

Regards
Dr. J

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear justagirl,
This should be, or have been a question for your surgeon.  The asymmetry is minimal.  We have no pre-operative photos to know if it was pre-existent.  Only your surgeon knows the details of the surgery and what cartilages, if any, were addressed.  Go back to your surgeon and have a frank discussion with her/him.  Good luck!

Two years pot op and one alar rim is thicker than the other - can this be corrected? (photos)

Answers (3)

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