Am I a good candidate for alar base reduction, since my nose is already upturned and I don't want a piggish effect? (photo)

Question

I am having open rhinoplasty in April to remove slight hump, narrow the base of my nose a bit and make my tip smaller. My main pet peeve though is my hanging columella, large nostrils and upturned nose. I am not sure however if I could get a good result with alar base reduction as my nose is already naturally upturned and don't want a piggish effect. What could be my best bet?

Yannis Alexandrides, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello!

So an Alar Base Reduction reduces the width of nose, which you said you want to achieve, so there's no reason why you wouldn't be a good candidate for this as it is one of your aims.

As you mentioned your problem is with the tip and nostrils, so an Alar Base Reduction can help to reduce the wideness of them and then you should speak to your surgeon about combining it with a Tip Refinement procedure. Since you are already having your surgery performed in the open technique, your surgeon will have greater access to the structure and cartilage of the nose and can help alter the nose to not look upturned – from all angles.

As you mentioned this is happening in April, I'm wishing you all the best in your upcoming procedure and to just reiterate your concerns to your surgeon on the day so they are completely clear about your surgical expectations.

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