Is it possible to make the nose smaller without touching turbinates?

It is ilogical to bind rhinoplasty with turbinate surgery, why so? Any medical reason given? They are two separate procedures without any technical or functional connection; if you were told they act as a necessary pair... walk away.

Answer from Dr. Sean Hill, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon at Lone Star Plastic Surgery in Frisco, TX:
This is a great question — and it’s smart to be informed about both the aesthetic and functional aspects of rhinoplasty.
Yes, in many cases, it is possible to reduce the size of the nose without altering the turbinates. The turbinates are structures inside the nose that help humidify and filter the air you breathe. They’re not involved in the external appearance of the nose, so if your surgery is strictly cosmetic — for example, reducing a hump, refining the tip, or narrowing the bridge — your turbinates may not need to be touched at all.
However, in some patients who also have breathing issues or a deviated septum, we may address the turbinates during surgery to improve airflow. If turbinate reduction is necessary, it can be done conservatively and safely. The goal is always to preserve nasal function and avoid complications like dryness or a rare condition called empty nose syndrome, which occurs when too much turbinate tissue is removed.
At Lone Star Plastic Surgery, I take a balanced approach to rhinoplasty — improving aesthetics while protecting or enhancing your ability to breathe. And I only address the turbinates if it’s absolutely necessary for your function and comfort.
Be sure to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is also a member of The Rhinoplasty Society, as they’ll have the expertise to manage both the cosmetic and functional aspects of your procedure with precision and care.
Warmly,Dr. Sean HillBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonLone Star Plastic Surgery – Frisco, TX

Turbinates or organs in the nose that filter and humidify the air, and we only reduce these when somebody has allergic rhinitis and refractory turbinate hypertrophy. Wishing you while moving forward. Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Providing that you do not have any signs of nasal airway obstruction, a rhinoplasty without septum or turbinates reduction is appropriate procedure. This should be discussed with your surgeon during in person evaluation. Good luck.

Hi, thanks for question. Many patients undergo rhinoplasty to accomplish your goals without having surgery on their turbinates. The turbinates warm and humidify air and I would not recommend a turbinate reduction if you do not have trouble breathing through your nose. Hope this helps!

Most surgeons do not reduce the turbinates routinely if there are no breathing problems. However I often reduce them to prevent later breathing problems from occurring. There’s no right or wrong answer but I have found reducing turbinates to be very helpful

Hello and thank you for your question. It is definitely possible to perform rhinoplasty without altering the turbinates. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Yes, there is requirement that any form of turbinate surgery accompanies cosmetic change to the nose. Turbinates do not contribute to the external appearance of the nose whatsoever, so they can absolutely be left alone.

Empty nose syndrome is not a common scenario with conservative turbinate reduction. Having done well over a thousand turbinate reductions, I can confidently say I have not encountered it in one of my patients, but I have been called upon to help treat patients suffering from this. ENS can be a devastating complication which, from what I've seen, only occurs with egregious and unnecessary over-resection of turbinate tissues.

The inside of the nose doesn't have to be touched at all in the course of a cosmetic rhinoplasty. Especially the turbinates. And enlarged turbinates requiring work is actually a rather uncommon condition. Did someone tell you that's a routine part of a rhinoplasty?!

Surgeons do not have to involve the turbinates in order to accomplish any rhinoplasty procedure.
You can pretty much consider the no separate from the turbinates in regards to aesthetic rhinoplasty surgery.
Mats Hagstrom MD