Reducing an Over-Projecting Tip ("Pinocchio Nose")

I prefer the former technique.  A tip rhinoplasty to refine your tip and reduce the caudal septum to limit the projection of the tip would result in a natural improvement.  Nasal flaring shouldn't be a concern.  Your dorsum looks nice and augmentation may not be the look you want.  Best wishes!

Thank you for your inquiry!



It seems that you are a good candidate
for a tip refinement and your surgeon provided you with 2 viable options. There is no right or wrong way to go about it but more like the technique the surgeon is more comfortable with to deliver the best results possible. The main goal is to improve the way your nose looks to complement your
facial features in a natural fashion. However, without a physical
examination it is not possible to provide you with specific details. I highly
recommend that you schedule a consultation with a well-experienced surgeon.



It is important to mention that the
finest cosmetic results in any particular case are based on a variety of
factors, including: the unique anatomy of the patient, realistic expectations,
a well-informed and detailed discussion with your plastic surgeon concerning
the best options for you especially covering a deep understanding of the pros
and cons of any given choice you will adopt.



Please keep in mind that following the
advice from a surgeon online who offers to tell you what to do without a
physical examination covering the nature and the status of the tissue,
assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history, and discussing
the pros and cons of each operative solution would not be in your best
interest. With that in mind, it is the safest and for your best interest to
find a plastic surgeon with solid experience and certified by the American
Board of Plastic Surgery who is ideally a member of the American Society of
Plastic Surgeons that you will trust and be comfortable with. You should
discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person.



Good luck!!!



Ali Sajjadian, MD FACS

Dear Elle,

Your surgeon is right about the 2 different ways to address projection.  If he/she has computer morphing software, you can be shown what you what your nose would look like using both kinds of techniques.  It is best to see this on profile view. 

Ideally tip projection is about the same length as the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip.  I cannot tell exactly from your photo which you would need, unless there was a profile view.

Best,

Nima Shemirani

The angle of the photo does not allow assessment of your current condition. In order to view tip projection you need a complete side view. Your photo looks down obliquely from the upper left. The desired tip projection is considered to be 2/3 of the length of the nose which in turn is 2/3 of the length of the middle third of the face. The amount that it projects past this is the amount/length of cartilage that is removed from strips of cartilage in the strip of skin between the nostrils to achieve this goal. If it does not project past the 2/3 limit something other than removal of this cartilage should be done. This cartilage is part of the C-shaped cartilages in the tip of the nose. In my experience this does not cause nasal flaring or collapse because the surgery is done on the part of the C near the midline not on the middle or outer part of the C.

My response to your question/post does not represent formal medical advice or constitute a doctor patient relationship. You need to consult with i.e. personally see a board certified plastic surgeon in order to receive a formal evaluation and develop a doctor patient relationship.

I usually reduce the nasal dome to a level just a few mm above the dorsum and then reconstruct a new dome. No cartilage is added to the dorsum and no flarring of the nostrils.

There are multiple ways to reduce an overprojecting tip of the nose.  This involves reducing the anterior projection of the lower lateral cartilages, the dorsal septal cartilage, and potentially even augmenting slight ski slope that is present.    Digital computer imaging would be helpful to understand what can be accomplished with your nose upon your facial features.  For many before and after  the closed rhinoplasty examples, please see the video and the link below