Which would you recommend; Alarplasty or Tip plasty? (photos)

Question

I have always been self conscious of my wide nose and bulbous tip. Am I a good candidate for alarplasty or tip plasty? Would either give me a better result in a narrowing effect? I am fine with the bridge of my nose so I don't necessarily want a full rhinoplasty. Advice? Thanks!

Steven Goldman, MD · Answer

Don't compartmentalize your nose. To have beautiful, harmonious proportions you need to address the nose completely, although the degree of change can be individualized based on your goals.Your pictures suggest that you may benefit from tip refinement and alar reduction. Tip refinement would include narrowing the tip and likely increasing rotation (upward tilt) slightly. Nostril (alar) reduction would be designed to decrease the width of the "sill" (the bottom of the nostril at the lip), which would narrow the width of the base of the nose. Your bridge would likely benefit from narrowing as well, although your pictures do not show the bridge fully. Good luck. Good question.

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

The nose appears to be wide in the nostrils and that can be corrected with alarplasty very well.  The nasal tip also lacks definition with prominent lower lateral cartilages which can be defined with the tip-plasty.This is different than a full rhinoplasty as no nasal dorsal work will be needed and there would be no osteotomies.RegardsDr. J

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Based on your limited photos, you appear to have both flaring nostrils and a bulbous tip on front view. During rhinoplasty surgery, your tip cartilages may be reconstructed to reveal a narrower appearance, and your nostrils may be narrowed to decrease your nostril flaring. Hope this helps you.Thank you.Dr Joseph

William Portuese, MD · Answer

An alar plasty accomplishes narrowing wide nostrils. A tip plasty accomplishes narrowing wide nasal tip cartilages, also known as the lower lateral cartilages of the tip. Both procedures accomplish different goals.

Elliot W. Jacobs, MD · Answer

If you are satisfied with the profile of the bridge of your nose and the narrowness of the upper part of your nose, then a carefully performed tip plasty to narrow and shape the tip cartilages may do just fine.I tend to be very conservative about alarplasty because it can potentially narrow the nostrils and make breathing through the nostrils more difficult.  Also, a tip plasty may alter the perceived flare so that it is not as noticeable.Oftentimes, subtle refinement of the nose may be all that is needed -- and even your best friends will never know.Elliot W. Jacobs, MD, FACSNew York City

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I would have to view your full nose on your face to be sure, but your tip could be narrowed a bit with a tip plasty if it appears bulbous on your face.  Best of luck

Jay Calvert, MD, FACS · Answer

My suggestion is that you have a rhinoplasty full on! It is very difficult to just do parts of a rhinoplasty and wind up with a balance result.  I see that the tip and the bridge need to be balance and matched up.  This will not happen with just a tip-plasty.  In order to create harmony within your result, you will need an actual rhinoplasty.

Jarrod Little, MD · Answer

You appear to have a narrow upper nose, but with a bulbous nasal tip.  The bulbous tip accentuates the appearance of a widened nose.  Narrowing the tip will often improve the widened appearance of the entire nose.  This would likely require an "open approach".  It is important to personally consult with a board-certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in Rhinoplasty.

Dennis Barek, MD (retired) · Answer

Don't get caught up in these non specific terms. They mean little to the surgeon.Your tip on front view is bulbous and the nostrils appear to flare.I cannot see the relationship to the bridge so no concrete recommendation can be made here. But I would say that the lateral crura of the alar cartilages need reduction and probably an alar base resection for the nostrils

Which would you recommend; Alarplasty or Tip plasty? (photos)

Answers (9)

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