To What Extent Can You Lengthen the Nose?

Question

My nose was much longer before my primary rhinoplasty and i would like to reclaim that appearance, however is there an extent to which you can safely lengthen the nose?

William D. Losquadro, MD · Answer

A nose can safely be lengthened after prior surgery. The most common reason noses appear short after rhinoplasty is that the tip becomes overrotated (or too upturned). Pulling the tip back down requires strong cartilage grafting to hold it in place. If septal cartilage was harvested during the primary procedure, rib cartilage is often necessary during the revision.

Babak Azizzadeh, MD, FACS · Answer

It is possible to lengthen the nose, but it depends on the individual's anatomy. It is usually a challenging endeavor that requires multiple techniques.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Provided no skin was removed and the skin was not compromised, the nose can be lengthened to fill the residual skin envelope.  Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of rhinoplasties and rhinoplasty revisions each year.  Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results.

	Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Scott Trimas, MD · Answer

The short answer no pun intended is yes your nose can be lengthened some. It depends upon the pliability of your nasal skin and what underlying structure is present to work with. If a lot of underlying structure has been removed, then it is more difficult to lengthen a short nose. That being said, there is no way of exactly predicting the final size of the nose since there is what is called a shrink wrapping effect of the skin that contours around the underlying cartilages. After you see your rhinoplasty surgeon, he/she can give you a better idea of what to expect. Good luck in your area.

Richard A. Zoumalan, MD · Answer

Yes, there is a limit to how much you can lengthen your nose. There is both a limit that is due to aesthetics as well as structural limitations. Morphing can help you see this. During your consultation, your surgeon can discuss this with you. I hope this helps you. 

	-Dr. Zoumalan

Michael L. Schwartz, MD · Answer

The limiting factors in lengthening a nose in revision rhinoplasty are the amount of cartilage available and the pliability and stretching ability of the skin envelope. If a rib graft is used there should be abundant cartilage. The condition of the skin envelope (sot and pliable or firm and fibrotic) is something you need to discuss with your surgeon.

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

Please tell me when your surgery was done; swelling immediately after rhinoplasty can make your nose look short. To answer your question, there are limits to everything we do. Cartilage grafts are frequently necessary to lengthen the nose but that will depend on what was done during your original rhinoplasty. Pictures would be helpful.

To What Extent Can You Lengthen the Nose?

Answers (7)

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