How much can my nose be de-projected? (photos)

Thank you for your question. While it is true that surgical outcomes are limited by anatomy, in your case it should be reasonable to achieve a deprojected nose with bridge smoothening and tip refinement. The goal of surgery is to make the nose harmonious with the rest of the face, drawing attention away from the nose and to the eyes. This is by far the most common issue faced by my rhinoplasty patients, so you're not alone! I hope this helps, and all the best to you.
-Dr. P

Thank you for your question. Yes, in general when a patient is interested in deprojecting the nose there are several methods in achieving this. However, it is important that to take the entire nose into account if the nasal tip is deprojected...

It would not be uncommon for someone to project your nose significantly to fit your face. The key is to ensure that the nose is balanced and does not look too small or too big.

Based on your photos, you appear to have a wide, long, and overprojected nasal appearance. I suspect well-performed rhinoplasty can be considered for achieving a smaller, less distracting, and more feminine nasal appearance. If you don't have a good feeling after a consultation, keep looking, and always follow your gut. Computer imaging would help you. Best of luck. Dr Joseph

Your nose can and should be de-projected. Structural techniques include the use of a solid support graft that firmly attaches your nasal tip cartilages to the septum in a way that projection and rotation of the tip are predictable and stable. Skin can present a problem, especially when it is exceedingly thick; yours is not. You should be able to get a result that will make you very happy.

based on these photos but short of in person evaluation, it is my impression that you may not need tip height change. If needed in the course of surgery, it should not be a big problem. Hope this helps. Good luck.

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. In your case, your nose can be significantly deep projected. 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

Besides deprojecting the tip, it would be important to elevate the tip of your nose a bit. When you bring the tip of the nose back closer to the face, it tends to make the nose *look* longer, as though the tip actually drooped. So, even if tip elevation isn't high on someone's list, if we're deprojecting, and also if we're taking a little bump off the bridge, we plan an elevation, so the patient doesn't come back later wondering why her nose looks so long.
How *much* to elevate the tip, or deproject the nose, 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.)

I'd love for you to see some excellent morphs of what could possibly be done with your nose. It might make you feel better about the possibilities and help you plan your ideal goal.
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.

Your nose can definitely be deep projected, i.e. brought closer to your face. You can also benefit from some lifting of the tip as well as some contouring of the tip. You should also consider a chin augmentation, since part of why the nose appears over projected on your profile is due to your smaller chin projection.

Your nose can certainly be made smaller and fit your facial proportions with rhinoplasty. You would be an excellent candidate and would achieve a great result. I would recommend consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in rhinoplasty.