Is it possible to achieve a lower nose bridge? (Photo)

Question

I have been considering getting surgery for a while now, as I grew self conscious about my side profile. I am concerned that smootheing the hump on my nose will not be enough to improve my nose shape, as it is not very prominent in my opinion. Is it possible to lower my bridge to a more aesthetic height? Will I then be able to shave more of the hump off? What is the best approach for my nose?

Mehdi Sina, MD · Answer

Hi,

"Smoothening the bump" is the same thing as lowering the bridge. So instead of just lowering the very minimal bump that you have, a skilled surgeon can continue to lower the bridge to the desired height as determined in the pre-operative consultation.

Best,
MS

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Thank you for submitting your question and photos. The goal of rhinoplasty is to reshape the nose to achieve the desired aesthetic result and complement the rest of your facial features. During this procedure, the bridge can be altered and the tip redefined to create a cohesive, natural-looking result.

Since rhinoplasty is one of the most complex of all plastic surgery procedures, experience, skill, and even artistry are required to achieve an optimal outcome. I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon, with expertise in rhinoplasty techniques. They will be able to review your concerns and determine the best approach.

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Hi @a1y4n. Thank you for sharing your photos. Yo are an excellent candidate for a rhinoplasty. I recommend seeing an expert rhinoplasty specialist for an in person examination. There are several options for you that can be determined after examination. In my practice, I utilize piezosurgery. Piezosurgery is a more gentle technique that allows for greater precision. Less bruising and swelling is common with Piezosurgery. In a typical rhinoplasty, a hammer and chisel technique is performed leading to more inadvertent fractures.

Best,

Dr. Nima

Best,

Dr. Nima

Andrew Miller, MD · Answer

Based on your photos, you are a great candidate for rhinoplasty. The bump can be taken down nicely and the tip better defined at the same time. That way, your nose should have a great improvement while looking very natural. Be sure to see a rhinoplasty specialist for consultation.

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

You have that hump, and that can be lowered.
More: it seems that your bridge is strong up at the top of the nose -- in front of your eyes, or just below your eyebrows, just above the hump. When the nose is strong there, if a bump on the bridge is lowered, it's important to reduce the strength of the bridge up there at the top, too, or your profile would resemble the profile of a Roman statue, where the profile of the forehead slides right down onto the nose, without that little dip we like to see in front of the eyes. Search for Roman statue profile to see what I mean. Your surgeon must pay attention to that, too.
Then, when a bump like yours is lowered, it tends to make the nose *look* longer, as if the tip had dropped, and I doubt you'd like that, so it's also important to elevate the tip, so the nose doesn't look too long to you after surgery.
How *much* to elevate the tip, or lower the bridge, or make other 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 better just 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 really 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 the surgeon has that information and judgment best.)

Finally, 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.

Selcuk Inanli, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question. As far as I can see from your photos your nose has a hump and the bridge is higher for your face. For gain more aesthetic and elegant nose I can recommend you Rhinoplasty surgery. It would be more convenient to decide with face-to-face consultation. Best Regards!

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Based on these photos, you seem to be very good candidate for rhinoplasty.  Only on the basis of in person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon with good reputation in rhinoplasty you would be able to receive full information about needed refinements. A 3D simulation, available in plastic surgery offices where rhinoplasty is frequently performed, will help. Good luck.

Paul E. Chasan, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. You are an excellent candidate for rhinoplasty, I think it is one of the most beautifying surgeries that we do as plastic surgeons. A large portion of my practice is dedicated to rhinoplasty surgery. It is important to only see plastic surgeons with extensive experience in rhinoplasty, ie perform at least 6 per month and have performed hundreds of cases. Also, critically evaluate on-line galleries to see if their art form resonates with yours. Rhinoplasty is definitely a grey haired plastic surgeon's sport. Most plastic surgeons like to perform lip lift procedures at a separate time. Best wishes to you.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Based on your photos, you appear to have an overprojected mid bridge where your dorsal hump appears to be mostly made out of cartilage. This is associated with a tip that tends to want a group, especially with smiling. You appear to have a pleasing, symmetrical nasal appearance on front view. If you have severe dissatisfaction with your nasal profile appearance, please consider Consulting with several reputable rhinoplasty specialists who offer computer Imaging so you could see what might be achieved with well-performed surgery. Hope this helps! Dr Joseph

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

If you get a rhinoplasty more would need to be done than simply shaving down the bridge. The bones would need to be broken to narrow the nose and possibly other alterations. You should bring these issues up at a consultation

Is it possible to achieve a lower nose bridge? (Photo)

Answers (17)