How much would it cost to shave down the tip of your nose and add more cartilage? (Photos)

Question

It goes down when I smile and my left nostril is a little higher than my right nostril and it's noticeable when I smile or make different faces. I do have a hump in my nose but I'm not that worried about it, I just want to get rid of the drooping tip.

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

Click on the "Learn more" link, just below my response, or go here:
FacialSurgery.com/RealSelf/RealSelf_anora123.html
I made a computer morph of your nose, and an animation of the morph, to show the changes that are possible for your nose in truly expert hands.Besides raising the tip, though, I also lowered the bump on the bridge, so you could see what that would look like. Sometimes, raising the tip *without* lowering the bump makes the bump look more prominent, and it'd be a shame to get the tip positioned nicely and have you dislike your bridge. Just a thought.
You should understand that the changes I demonstrated in the morph require advanced techniques, techniques that most plastic surgeons cannot handle.  Be sure to read the section in the "Learn more" link on how to stay out of trouble while searching for a rhinoplasty surgeon. You should only have surgery if you are able to make yourself very confident in your surgeon's skills. Read that page very carefully. Most plastic surgeons are quite poor at this operation, and I believe my advice will go a long way toward keeping you safe.
I'd love to hear what you think of the morph. Did it seem to address your main concerns?
Your nose is also a good example of why computer imaging is mandatory in rhinoplasty. You need to know exactly what the surgeon is planning to accomplish -- what features he thinks he can change, and by how much he thinks he can change them. When you see his goals, you'll know whether he has an eye for an attractive nose, and whether he shares your opinion of what constitutes an attractive nose. You'll also know whether the changes he proposes are enough to be meaningful to you, and whether he understands your wishes enough to address all of your priorities. But remember, you're not hiring him for his skills with the computer. The doctor must then show you his before and after photos to prove that he can actually accomplish what he draws on the computer.
In your case in particular, you need to find a surgeon who understands all of the issues I mentioned, and how they fit together, and who can actually accomplish them in surgery.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your
photograph, you may benefit from a tip refining rhinoplasty and a cephalic rotation of your tip to turn
up your tip slightly.  Cost varies based on geographic region and surgeon expertise.  Make sure you specifically look at before and after
pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon
and not just a computer animation system. The most important
aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek
consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate
you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

William Portuese, MD · Answer

The cost of a rhinoplasty procedure is directly proportional to the amount of time it takes to perform the procedure in a formal operating room, time monitored by a physician anesthesiologist under  general anesthesia, and the surgeon's professional fees for performing the procedure in addition to all of postoperative follow-up appointments for a year. Digital computer imaging would be helpful to understand what your nose would look like upon your facial features. Performing only the tip will look like you have a half-baked, and unbalanced nose. It's important to understand that all components of the nose must balance with themselves, and the entire new nose balances with the patient's facial features. A full/ closed rhinoplasty is going to be required. This can be performed under closed rhinoplasty techniques with all  of the incisions placed on the inside of the nose. The dorsal hump can be shaved down, the tip lifted slightly in any cartilage grafts can be placed simultaneously. To  prevent the tip of the nose from drooping when smiling requires releasing of the depressor septi ligament. Rhinoplasty is one of the most difficult procedures to perform correctly in the entire field of cosmetic surgery, so choose your surgeon wisely based on extensive experience. For more information and many before-and-after examples, please see the link and the video below

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

Your asymmetrical tip can be refined and a small muscle at the base of the nose cut to decrease tip drooping when smiling. I encourage you to consider lifting your hanging tip and removing the hump; in my experience young ladies like yourself who decline hump removal usually come back later to have that done, regretting their previous decision.Cost will depend on the work that is done.

How much would it cost to shave down the tip of your nose and add more cartilage? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Shaving the Tip of My Nose

Answer: Shaving the Tip of My Nose

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How much would it cost to shave down the tip of your nose and add more cartilage? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Shaving the Tip of My Nose

Answer: Shaving the Tip of My Nose

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.