Lowering the bridge - lengthening the nose? (Photo)

Question

My nose is too short and it looks really stupid, especially from a front view. So the length is pretty much the only thing about my nose that bothers me. And the doctor said that he would lower the bridge and by doing so, this would allow the tip to drop down about 2 to 3 millimeters and this should be enough and he could do it during a closed rhinoplasty and it's very easy to do? Good approach or not? Any way of lengthening without lowering the bridge? I do not want a feminine appearance.

David Tauber, MD · Answer

Lengthening the nose usually requires grafting techniques to add structure to the nasal tip. These grafts are often taken from the nasal septum, however, for patients without adequate septal cartilage off-the-shelf grafts can be used. Dropping the dorsum will have little effect on increasing the length. These are big maneuvers that are often intended to create millimeter changes to the shape of the nose once it heals. The goal is a natural looking nose that creates better balance to your face.
  
For more info on rhinoplasty, see the link below. 
  
A detailed examination will help delineate the best surgical treatment. Consultation with a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery would be the next best step.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your
photograph, you may benefit from a tip de-rotation and a caudal septal extension graft to lengthen your nose.  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. FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A thorough internal and external examination of the nose along with the in-person consultation with digital computer imaging is going to be required understand what you're trying to accomplish with a rhinoplasty procedure. Make appointments with three busy rhinoplasty surgeons in your area

Edward Farrior, MD · Answer

It is very difficult to be specific about the knees of your nose because it is not visualized in the context of your entire face in the pictures you provided.  I would however agree that for a male nose the nasal dorsum does not need to be modified or lower. There are multiple techniques utilized to counter rotate the nasal tip most of which require cartilage grafting from  the nasal septum.  This cartilage may be used as a caudal septal extension graft, extended spreader grafts, a tip graft  and possibly alar strut grafts.  All these grafts with the exception of a tip graft provide structural support to the tip of the nose that allow it to be repositioned inferiorly, in doing so the nasal tip will become more stiff and this will persist.  I would not reduce the projection of your nose meaning leaving the distance that it projected from your face unchanged just positioning the nasal tip more inferiorly.

Lowering the bridge - lengthening the nose? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Lengthening the nose, counter rotation of the tip, Lowering the bridge

Answer: Lengthening the nose, counter rotation of the tip, Lowering the bridge

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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Lowering the bridge - lengthening the nose? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Lengthening the nose, counter rotation of the tip, Lowering the bridge

Answer: Lengthening the nose, counter rotation of the tip, Lowering the bridge

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.