Uneven, small nostrils after rhinoplasty and alar base reduction. Are they collapsed? (Photo)

Question

Had rhinoplasty years ago. Profile is perfect, but nostrils are bad, uneven and you can see the cuts from alar base reduction. Are they collapsed? I can live with the scars but the shape of the nostrils is what bothers me the most and people spot my nose job as obvious because of my nostrils. My PS retired so, please do NOT tell me to consult a local doctor. I have already done that and I got conflicting opinions.I want my nostrils more open, bigger instead of so narrow and caved in. Thanks.

Orna Fisher, MD · Answer

Cartilage grafts can be done in order to improve the narrowness of the nostrils and allow the nostrils to appear and be more open. The cartilage grafts can be taken from your septum, if you have enough, or may need to come from other sources like the rib. However, because your alar reduction was very dramatic, there is a lack of alar tissue to work with, so significant improvement is unlikely.

Ron Hazani, MD, FACS · Answer

Reduction of the tip projection and stenting of the alar cartilages can help widen the angle and broaden the nostrils.

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

Cartilage grafts can be used to widen your nostrils and reduce the collapsed appearance. It is possible to revise the scars from your alar reduction but unfortunately I don't feel that a significant improvement is reasonable.

Uneven, small nostrils after rhinoplasty and alar base reduction. Are they collapsed? (Photo)

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Uneven, small nostrils after rhinoplasty and alar base reduction. Are they collapsed? (Photo)

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