Is it possible to get just a tip plasty, even if I have a small bump on my nose but I don’t want it removed?

Yes you can have a surgery just to improve the shape of the tip of your nose. The approach of the surgery will be similar to having full rhinoplasty, but the extent of the surgery will be less

Some patients may be candidate for a very limited tip rhinoplasty. However, without any photos it is impossible to tell you whether you are one of these. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon, expert in rhinoplasty, is recommended. Good luck.

Can tip plasty be performed without full rhinoplasty? A tip plasty is occasionally performed as an isolated procedure in people who wish to change the nasal tip without altering the bridge. In some cases this may work but in other cases it may leave the tip out of proportion to the rest of the nose. It is therefore a decision that has to be made on a case by case basis between the surgeon and the patient. In my own experience it is rare that a patient would look their best with just a tip plasty. Perhaps one or 2% of patients would fit into this category.

Hi leahz_,Thanks for asking your question. It is hard to comment on your question without any photos. I recommend you consult with a surgeon specializing in rhinoplasty to discuss your rhinoplasty goals and what is a realistic and achievable result. I hope that helps.
All the best,Dr. Sanan, MDAkshay Sanan, MD Facial Plastic SurgeryLos Angeles, CA

Improving the tip is a frequent request of patients wanting nasal refinement. It is possible to improve the cosmetic appearance of the tip alone without altering the rest of the nose in some patients. Whether the optimal option in your particular situation would be a tip rhinoplasty alone or an artistically performed natural appearing full rhinoplasty would best be determined at a consultation. Either procedure can be performed with a closed or open approach.

Following the advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you exactly what to do without examining you, physically feeling the tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history, and discussing the pros and cons of the operative procedure would not be in your best interest. I would suggest you find a plastic surgeon with extensive nasal surgery experience who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) or a facial plastic surgeon (otolaryngologist) that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person.

Robert Singer, MD FACS

La Jolla, California