Will I get keloid if I get rhinoplasty? (photos)

Question

I would like to know if I can get a nose job done if I had a surgery before on my nick and it became a small keloid. Would keloid occur on my nose if I get rhinoplasty? My nose kinda has a thick skin and from the sides they look kinda rounded and also The tip if kinda low. From the front they look really big and they make me really uncomfortable and have no confidence. I would like to know if I would get scars of keloid if I get rhinoplasty. And what would the price would be?

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. I have never seen a keloid occur from rhinoplasty.  Based on your photographs, you may benefit from a tip refining rhinoplasty, a cephalic rotation of your tip to turn up your tip slightly, and a dorsal hump reduction.  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.  You should be able to view numerous pictures of actual patients with noses similar to yours performed by your surgeon.  If you cannot find enough real before and after pictures, then consider continuing your search for a surgeon. 
Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Jon Perenack, MD, DDS · Answer

Great question. It is exceptionally rare to get a keloid from a rhinoplasty procedure. Having said that,  any time a surgery is done and the skin is cut, one can expect a "scar". Vast majority of the time, the scars are not easily noticeable to an ordinary person. This is especially true in rhinoplasty surgery. Nevertheless, if you do form a scar that bothers you, it is important to let your surgeon know. Most surgeons have quite a few ways to manage scars and significantly improve their appearance. Best of luck!

Suleyman Tas, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for your question. You appear to have a thick skin which will require an alarplasty procedure meaning external incisions on the wings of your nose. Since you are prone to hypertrophic scarring there might be keloids on your nose as well, therefore I woudn't recommend undergoing a rhinoplasty surgery for you. To find out more information about the risks of the rhinoplasty please visit the attached link.
Best Regards

Richard A. Bartlett, MD · Answer

Dear laila99, Thank you for your question. I tell all of my patients that scars are like real estate, as they are all dependent upon location. Rhinoplasty incisions, if cared for appropriately usually end up inconspicuous after a few months. Although not impossible, it is unlikely that you will form a keloid scar on your nose following surgery. As far as pricing goes, I suggest doing research on Board Certified Operating Surgeons in your area, although the average price ranges from about $7,000 to $11,000. Best of luck to you.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear laila99,
if you get a surgery, there are no guarantees that you won't get keloids, especially if you developed them earlier. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to 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

Alejandro Hernandez Pizzoglio, MD · Answer

Been on practice for almost 28 years, never seen a Keloid after a Rhinoplasty. It should be very very rare.

Will I get keloid if I get rhinoplasty? (photos)

Answers (6)