I'm Hispanic/Italian and have a bulbous tip & flared nostrils. Will getting a nostril reduction effect my breathing? (photos)

Question

I'm Hispanic/Italian and I have a bulbous tip and flared nostrils. I've been wanting to get my nose done but I'm terrified that it I get nostril reduction I won't be able to breathe through my nose. When I try to narrow my nostrils with my fingers to see how it might look, it's harder for me to breathe. I don't know if that will have anything to do with how well I'm able to breathe, but I have such bad anxiety over it and I'm scared I won't be able to get the surgery.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The tip and alar base can be reduced without compromising breathing.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

David Shifrin, MD · Answer

A well executed alar base reduction will not result in airway collapse. Looking at your tip, refining techniques would help improve the bulbous round appearance which would be aesthetically pleasing. Visit with an American board of plastic surgery surgeon or a facial plastic surgeon for best results.cheers

Donald B. Yoo, MD, FACS · Answer

Conservative alar base modification will not impair your breathing.  Seeking out a rhinoplasty specialist who respects the structure of your nose, and knows how to maintain its proper function is important in achieving a successful result.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

The Rhinoplasty procedure can narrow the bulbous tip with suture techniques to the lower lateral cartilages, and sometimes a conservative cartilage removal. The alar plasty procedure involves removal of a small wedge of skin at the base of the nostrils to narrow the nostrils themselves. An experienced rhinoplasty surgeon can minimize the risks for nasal obstruction.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Unless nostril narrowing is overdone, it does not cause impairment in nasal breathing. There are other aspects of a rhinoplasty that may and these are more important to look out for than that of nostril narrowing alone.

I'm Hispanic/Italian and have a bulbous tip & flared nostrils. Will getting a nostril reduction effect my breathing? (photos)

Answers (5)