Should I go with rhinoplasty and alarplasty or would the alarplasty be sufficient?

Question

I want to get the alarplasty to reduce my nostrils size however I am worried that this will make my nose appear long and thick because the nostrils are now smaller.

Jacqueline T. Cheng, MD · Answer

Hello Alexisc188! - If you are just bothered by the size or your nostrils, you can definitely benefit from just an alarplasty.  However if there are other features of your nose that bother you, then you can consider rhinoplasty with alarplasty.  Best of luck!

A. Joshua Zimm, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  You certainly have some options here, but other photos are necessary along with an in person consultation to make that determination.  You should seek consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon that specializes in rhinoplasty.  Best wishes.

Steven J. Pearlman, MD, FACS · Answer

Often the nose is balanced. A Wide nose may be accompanied by wide nostrils. Alarplasty alone may be sufficient or you might need a full rhinoplasty for a balanced result. Computer imaging is a great way to evaluate both possibilities.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your
photograph, you may benefit from a tip refining rhinoplasty. Your surgeon can
accomplish this by trimming, suturing, and reshaping the cartilage in your
lower nose. Cartilage grafts may also be used to help improve tip refinement.
You may also benefit from a reduction in the width of the alar base (alarplasty).  Make sure you specifically look at before and after
pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon
and not just a computer animation system. The most important
aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek
consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate
you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

William Portuese, MD · Answer

An alar-plasty involves only narrowing wide nostrils from the base view. A full rhinoplasty involves making changes to the entire structure of the nose. Computer imaging and an in-person examination will help patients make that decision.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I think that you would have to be seen in person to be properly evaluated. Other photos are necessary to make an assessment.

Stuart H. Bentkover, MD (retired) · Answer

Except for your nose being a bit crooked, it looks pretty good on the frontal view.  Also, it is generally not a great idea to break down a rhinoplasty into its component parts and pick on just one area.

James Fernau, MD, FACS - Account Suspended · Answer

Thank you for your question and photograph.I would recommend scheduling a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty so that they can perform a nasal examination on you and give you the best recommendations. From what I can tell from your photographs, you may benefit from a tip rhinoplasty which includes trimming the lower lateral cartilages and placing precision sutures to refine the tip and make it look more pleasing along with an alarplasty which is the technique that is commonly used for nostril reduction. This procedure consists of making an incision on the inside or outside of the nostrils then removing a specific amount of tissue. I hope this helps.Best of luck in your endeavors!Sincerely,

James Fernau, MD, FACSBoard Certified ENTBoard Certified Plastic SurgeryMember of ASPS, ASAPS, ISAPS, The Rhinoplasty Society, AAFPRS, OTO/HNS, ASLMS, International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics & Science

James Fernau, MD, FACSBoard Certified ENTBoard Certified Plastic SurgeryMember of ASPS, ASAPS, ISAPS, The Rhinoplasty Society, AAFPRS, OTO/HNS, ASLMS, International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics & Science

Should I go with rhinoplasty and alarplasty or would the alarplasty be sufficient?

Answers (8)