After a rhinoplasty, are the muscles in the nose still able to function and flare your nostrils?

The muscle that flares the nostrils will still be intact after rhinoplasty. There may be some swelling after rhinoplasty which impedes the function for a while, but it should gradually go back to normal. However, sometimes and alar base reduction is done for wide nostrils, and the introduction of scar tissue to that area may restrict nostril flaring some.

The nasal muscles should be able to function normally after a rhinoplasty. Patient may notice that they have decreased function in the immediate period after surgery as swelling limits this motion. However, as swelling resolves the function should return. One exception to this is the nasal depressor muscle fibers that are sometimes intentionally disrupted by the surgeon to limit how much the tip turns down when someone smiles.

A rhinoplasty should not obstruct your ability to “flare your nostrils.” Your question often gets asked by my patients who are actors in the film industry, as they need preserve their ability to emote and covey nuanced emotions. In order to best reach your aesthetic goals, please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon with a wealth of experience and knowledge in rhinoplasty surgery.