Will shaving down the dorsal hump affect a drooping tip?

Thank you for your question regarding shaving down the dorsal of the nose and the eventual shape of the tip. In my opinion, I would leave it up to the plastic surgeon. It is possible that shaving down the dorsum of the nose will rotate the nasal tip. However, I think in your case, you will also need nasal tip work.  Therefore, I would go into surgery with the understanding with your plastic surgeon that if just the dorsal work doesn't work, you may need nasal tip work. Your nasal tip work might entail resecting some of the cartilage and reconstructing the tip of the nose. Thank you for your question regarding shaving the dorsum of the nose. 

I don’t believe the work done on the nasal bridge will positively affect the tip. Your surgeon will need to refine the tip directly to achieve an optimal result. Keep in mind that rhinoplasty is one of the most complex of all plastic surgery procedures. The skill, experience and training of your surgeon cannot be overstated. Make sure you choose a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who has successfully performed many rhinoplasties to ensure you get the best possible results. 

The tip of the nose does not come up or stop drooping when a bump is shaved down. In fact shaving the bump as an isolated procedure tends to make the nose *look* longer, as if the tip had drooped more. Elevating the tip, as in the woman in the short video that I posted with this answer, usually requires complicated work on the tip cartilages.Did the surgeon show you morphs of his anticipated result, so you know exactly what he's picturing for your nose?
How *much* to elevate the tip, or lower a bump, or make other necessary changes? We figure that out with morphs, well before surgery. I'd love for you to see some excellent professionally-designed morphs of what could possibly be done with your nose. Morphs could also help you identify what's bothering you, and help you set a goal for the rhinoplasty that's accurate for your tastes. Profile and three-quarter views would be particularly important in morphing your nose. (Side note: in my opinion, morphs should always be done by the surgeon, or he should direct an assistant as she makes the morphs. Morphs should be made with a constant eye to what actually *can* be done in surgery, for that particular nose, and only the surgeon has that information and judgment. Another aside: I also recommend that you not show morphs made by one surgeon to a different surgeon. If a surgeon makes his *own* morphs, you get to see whether he understands the important issues of your nose, and how your nose should be changed. But if you show the surgeon someone else's morphs, and he says "Of course I can make your nose look like that," then you don't really know if he fully understands, or even recognizes, the important changes shown in those morphs. And you don't know if he can make those changes during surgery.)
Remember that rhinoplasty is an exquisitely difficult operation to get right, and you should only have surgery if you are able to make yourself very confident in your surgeon's skills. The changes that your nose needs require advanced techniques, and skill that most plastic surgeons don't possess with expertise. For most noses, it's much better to not have surgery than to have inexpertly-performed surgery. Read my essay on how to stay out of trouble while selecting a rhinoplasty surgeon. And it also discusses how to take photos that are best for online evaluations.
A long nose with a bump on the bridge is also a perfect example of why computer imaging by the operating surgeon is mandatory in rhinoplasty. You need to know exactly what the surgeon is planning to accomplish -- what features he thinks he can change, and by how much he thinks he can change them. I always email morphs to my online rhinoplasty consultations. When you see the surgeon's goals in the morphs, you'll know whether he has an eye for an attractive nose, and whether he shares your opinion of what constitutes an attractive nose. You'll also know whether the changes he proposes are large enough to be meaningful to you, and whether he understands your wishes enough to address all of your priorities. How would you ever get that figured out without the morphs?

Well, perhaps the surgeon meant that the appearance of drooping will be less when the hump is removed. However, the nasal dorsum is a minor supporter of the nasal tip. So you are 100% correct in that you must be sure to support the tip after removing a large dorsal hump so as not to produce any further drooping! Also, because a straight line looks longer than a curved line, I usually incorporate a minimal amount of tip rotation with dorsal hump removal. You should also discuss with your surgeon if you want a perfectly straight bridge or one that has a slight concavity or slight convexity.

Without photos, nothing can be said with certainty. However, if you have a large dorsal hump and drooping tip, it is unlikely you will get a pleasing result with just removing the hump. Although hump removal does allow for tip rotation, it doesn't necessarily rotate enough, or in a predictable fashion. Further, reducing the dorsal hump also destabilized the tip, and loss of tip projection is common if the tip is not addressed with structural techniques. I think you need to keep shopping. 

Hi Magiere,I would recommend that you have a few more consultations as it seems that your concerns are real.  The most important aspect of your rhinoplasty will be making sure that you choose your rhinoplasty surgeon very carefully based on their skill, experience, knowledge, training, and natural artistic vision.  I highly recommned Ari Hyman, MD (Encino, CA) as he is an expert rhinoplasty surgeon who embodies those traits.  Dr.Hyman is available for both virtual and in person consultations. Good luck and be well. Dr. P 

Rhinoplasty without a droopy tip. A properly performed rhinoplasty by a very experienced rhinoplasty surgeon will prevent tip drooping. I need to see photos! Get a second opinion!

It is quite simple to raise the tip at the same time as closed rhinoplasty. From your description if this is not addressed you will end up with a hanging columella.

Dear magiere,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination or at least a photo. 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

A drooping tip does not become lifted after reducing the hump, however many people have a tip that is fine, but they have a large hump which gives the illusion that the tip is drooping. If this is the case for you, then a hump reduction can make a big difference. Otherwise, you will need a tip rhinoplasty with your hump reduction in order to straighten your dorsal ridge and raise the tip at the same time. This can be determined by a proper evaluation of your photos as well as measurements of the angle between your nasal tip and upper lip. Hope this helps!Johnson C. Lee, MD 

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon