Is a tip rhinoplasty w/ minor shaving and straightening possible using local anesthesia and oral sedation? I’ve had an Otoplasty under local only and did well, and I really want to do my rhino this way, but finding a Dr to do this has been difficult. Can any improvements be made to my tip with this approach? Even if it is minor? Thank you
Answer: Possible but not ideal Hello, while it appears most of your concerns are related to the tip, it is important to remember that typically specialized rhinoplasty surgeons prefer to take a comprehensive approach to the nose to ensure that your final result is adequately balanced, as changing one feature of the nose can often alter the appearance of another. That said, you have a boxy tip with redundant cartilage that will require significant cartilage reduction and stabilization. To do this in a predictable and long-lasting fashion will require a septal-extension cartilage graft to stabilize your tip cartilages. This cartilage is typically taken from your own septum, which is most safely harvested under anesthesia to prevent bleeding into your airway. It is possible to purchase off-the-shelf rib cartilage to use instead of your own septal cartilage, which might allow an ambitious surgeon to perform this procedure entirely under local. But as you can see, there are several benefits to doing this procedure under anesthesia with very little downside, which is why you may find surgeon reluctant to do it under local anesthesia. You would likely be compromising quality.
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Answer: Possible but not ideal Hello, while it appears most of your concerns are related to the tip, it is important to remember that typically specialized rhinoplasty surgeons prefer to take a comprehensive approach to the nose to ensure that your final result is adequately balanced, as changing one feature of the nose can often alter the appearance of another. That said, you have a boxy tip with redundant cartilage that will require significant cartilage reduction and stabilization. To do this in a predictable and long-lasting fashion will require a septal-extension cartilage graft to stabilize your tip cartilages. This cartilage is typically taken from your own septum, which is most safely harvested under anesthesia to prevent bleeding into your airway. It is possible to purchase off-the-shelf rib cartilage to use instead of your own septal cartilage, which might allow an ambitious surgeon to perform this procedure entirely under local. But as you can see, there are several benefits to doing this procedure under anesthesia with very little downside, which is why you may find surgeon reluctant to do it under local anesthesia. You would likely be compromising quality.
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November 3, 2023
Answer: Tipplasty under local anesthesia Hi TaylorI just don't recommend tipplasty. I do not recommend it under local anesthesia. If it is to happen, it should all be together because a disproportionate image will emerge. The top side is different, the bottom side is different. It would be better if the bullous type appearance is essentially corrected under general anesthesia, without touching the upper part too much. If you have a photo from the side, if you share it, at least the projection will be evaluated.
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November 3, 2023
Answer: Tipplasty under local anesthesia Hi TaylorI just don't recommend tipplasty. I do not recommend it under local anesthesia. If it is to happen, it should all be together because a disproportionate image will emerge. The top side is different, the bottom side is different. It would be better if the bullous type appearance is essentially corrected under general anesthesia, without touching the upper part too much. If you have a photo from the side, if you share it, at least the projection will be evaluated.
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September 27, 2023
Answer: Awake Rhinoplasty with local anesthesia Hi, great question. Yes, it is possible. I do full rhinoplasties, and even difficult revisions under local anesthesia. Oral medications are given for pain and relaxation. However, I do not like IV sedation as this slightly deeper form can inhibit certain reflexes and increase risk for aspiration. Our patients love the "awake rhinoplasty" approach as it by passes anesthesia and it's associated issues. The surgery and results themselves are identical, so the results are not compromised in any way at all. Hope that helps! Good luck.
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September 27, 2023
Answer: Awake Rhinoplasty with local anesthesia Hi, great question. Yes, it is possible. I do full rhinoplasties, and even difficult revisions under local anesthesia. Oral medications are given for pain and relaxation. However, I do not like IV sedation as this slightly deeper form can inhibit certain reflexes and increase risk for aspiration. Our patients love the "awake rhinoplasty" approach as it by passes anesthesia and it's associated issues. The surgery and results themselves are identical, so the results are not compromised in any way at all. Hope that helps! Good luck.
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September 12, 2023
Answer: It is possible to perform the tip correction only Your nasal tip exhibits a bulbous appearance with a bifid tip shape, along with noticeable tip asymmetry and a slight retracted alar rim. It's essential to possess the expertise needed to prevent exacerbation of the retracted alar rim while correcting the bulbous tip through lower lateral cartilage realignment. When dealing with the lower lateral cartilage, achieving the desired results is challenging through simple shaving alone. Both trimming and realignment are typically required, and depending on the specific circumstances, cartilage grafting may also be necessary. Local anesthesia can be administered if preferred.
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September 12, 2023
Answer: It is possible to perform the tip correction only Your nasal tip exhibits a bulbous appearance with a bifid tip shape, along with noticeable tip asymmetry and a slight retracted alar rim. It's essential to possess the expertise needed to prevent exacerbation of the retracted alar rim while correcting the bulbous tip through lower lateral cartilage realignment. When dealing with the lower lateral cartilage, achieving the desired results is challenging through simple shaving alone. Both trimming and realignment are typically required, and depending on the specific circumstances, cartilage grafting may also be necessary. Local anesthesia can be administered if preferred.
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July 17, 2023
Answer: Well, sorry, no, your nose requires more work than that... You have two very strong and asymmetric tip cartilages, like the woman whose before and after I posted with this answer. You can see and feel the little dent between those cartilages. And the bridge looks wide as well, and also asymmetrically wide. Minor shaving would make no changes to your nose -- in face, you should run from any surgeon who suggests it! However, with IV sedation, you don't need general anesthesia and a breathing tube, so maybe that would be a compromise for you. How *much* to narrow the tip, or adjust the bridge, 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.) Finally, 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.
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July 17, 2023
Answer: Well, sorry, no, your nose requires more work than that... You have two very strong and asymmetric tip cartilages, like the woman whose before and after I posted with this answer. You can see and feel the little dent between those cartilages. And the bridge looks wide as well, and also asymmetrically wide. Minor shaving would make no changes to your nose -- in face, you should run from any surgeon who suggests it! However, with IV sedation, you don't need general anesthesia and a breathing tube, so maybe that would be a compromise for you. How *much* to narrow the tip, or adjust the bridge, 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.) Finally, 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.
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