Only side profile rhinoplasty? (Photo)

Question

Is it possible to have only my side profile altered to create more of a “slope?” I like the front profile/size. Also, if this type of surgery is an option would that be invasive/less down time healing?

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

Yes that can be done. And, it can be done in less than an hour in the OR as an outpatient procedure, or, it can be done in the office under local anesthesia in about 30 minutes.  Watch our videos to learn more.  By the way - no stitches needed or visible incisions.  All done from inside your nose.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Based on your photo, I suspect the both your bridge and tip stick out a bit too far. If you are looking to achieve a less projected nasal appearance on profile, I suspect that your tip would need to be moved closer to your face. Naturally, this would have some changes on front view, however, they should be negligible depending on your surgeon. Please consider meeting with several reputable rhinoplasty specialist who offer computer imaging so you could see what might be feasible. Thank you so much for your question. Sincerely, Dr. Joseph

Oakley Smith, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Hi , Rhinoplasty can enhance nasal appearance including the bridge of the nose.It is better for you to consult with a facial plastic surgeon who can examine you and discuss the surgical procedure and the post op recovery 
process.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

The side profile of your nose is caused by the height of your nasal bones and your nasal cartilages.  To obtain more of a slope in your nasal side profile, the bone, and the cartilage would need to be trimmed and lowered.  If the lowering is only a couple of millimeters, that’s all that needs to be done. If the lowering is more than that, lowering the profile will result in the upper portion of your nose looking slightly wider in the frontal view.  This is because from the top of your nasal dorsum downward, your nasal bones slope outward. As you lower your nasal dorsum the width of your nose appears to get wider. To correct this and return to your normal nasal proportions the nasal bones need to be moved inward, which is a very simple addition to lowering your nasal dorsum.  Have a detailed discussion with your plastic surgeon. Best wishes.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

It is possible to only change the dorsum of your nose so it changes the side profile. You do not appear to need anything done from the frontal view. You have a straight dorsum and do not recommend a concave "ski slope". However, this is your choice.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

From what I see in the photos, you would have the bridge lowered to make more of a slope. Then, although we don't have a true profile view, it looks as though the tip could come back closer to the face, to make it less prominent. That's called "de-projecting" the tip. Then, when a nose is deprojected and the bridge lowered, it has a tendency to *look* longer, as if the tip had actually dropped, so it's important to elevate the tip some.

The height of the bridge and the projection of the tip aren't visible from the frontal view, and a small tip elevation really can't be seen from the frontal view either, especially if the tip was de-projected So yes, your frontal view would basically stay the same. This operation wouldn't be any kind of a special rhinoplasty; it's just a regular rhinoplasty, where the planned changes are really only visible from the profile. The recovery would be fast.

How *much* to lower the bridge, or deproject the nose, or elevate the tip, 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. 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.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Your bridge couid be lowered in a rhinoplasty but you would likely still need the bones broken.. if someone just tries to file the bridge down it won’t give a good result

William Portuese, MD · Answer

You cannot just shave down the dorsal hump, since you'll be left with a flat top- open roof deformity from the frontal profile. Osteotomies placed in the nasal bones are required to close the open roof created from the hump removal itself. You also have a very recessive chin, which gives the illusion that your nose is  bigger than it really is. Consider placement of a chin implant at the same time as a rhinoplasty for better facial balance and proportions. Study your perspective surgeon's rhinoplasty photo gallery to make sure that it is extensive with natural results

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Rhinoplasty is not an operation.
It is a general term referring to many different operations used to change the shape of the nose.
When making an assessment and treatment plan, we usually divide the nose into different subunits.
One of them is the dorsum of the nose. Another is the tip and a third is the Ala etc&hellip;
I think what you are referring to is a dorsal reduction of your nose.
This can be done as an open or closed rhinoplasty. An open rhinoplasty includes a small scar and an incision across your columella while a closed rhinoplasty makes the incisions only inside your nostril.
Both approaches are acceptable and appropriate for dorsal reduction.
Plastic surgeons will vary regarding the surgical approach of open versus closed, depending on their training, background, personal preference, and experience.
Recognize that a closed rhinoplasty still makes open incisions just not across the columella. 
There are many different aspects to the procedure, and each of these are usually reviewed and discussed when making an assessment and treatment plan during a consultation. 
Rhinoplasty surgery is considered fairly complex, and my recommendation is patient seek out highly experienced senior providers for this type of surgery.
This is not one of those operations plastic surgeons should do every once in a while.
 Look for plastic surgeons, who have at least one or two decades of rhinoplasty experience. Preferably providers who focus their career either exclusively on rhinoplasty surgery, or those who have rhinoplasty as one of their main procedures that they do on a regular basis.
To find the right plastic surgeon I suggest having multiple in person consultations preferably with surgeons in your local community if possible.
During each consultation, ask each provider to open up their portfolio And show you with their entire collection of before and after pictures of previous patients who had similar facial and nasal characteristics to your own.
Bring pictures of yourself to use as a reference during the consultation.
It’s very difficult to remember what we look like, and we tend to be quite biased of how we see ourselves.
 An experienced provider should have no difficulty showing you the before and after pictures of at least 50 previous patients.
Being shown a handful of pre-selected images, representing only the best results of a providers career is insufficient to get a clear understanding of what average results will look like in the hands of that provider, what your results are likely to look like or how many of these procedures they’ve actually done.
 Being bored, certified in plastic surgery with years of experience, and an overall good reputation does not mean that somebody has mastered any one single procedure especially not complex procedures like rhinoplasty surgery.
There’s no correct number of consultations needed to find the right provider.
The more consultations you scheduled the more likely you are to find the best provider for your needs.
Considering the complexity of the procedure and the amount of variation and skill among plastic surgeons, I recommend patients have 3 to 5 consultations before selecting a provider.
A lot depends on your ability to pre-select providers who have truly mastered this procedure.
I recommend patients avoid virtual consultations whenever possible.
Recovery from rhinoplasty surgery is fairly simple and straightforward.
Recovery can be challenging during the first few days, depending on if the nose is packed. 
Difficulty with recovery is usually related to difficulty breathing through the nose for the first few days. Other than that it’s not a particularly difficult operation to recover from.
We typically assess anatomic areas in relationship to surrounding areas.
When making a nasal assessment, we look at the entire face. The shape and size of the mandible is very important and this has an impact on how the nose is perceived.
Those who have a small mandible tend see their nose as looking larger.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Only side profile rhinoplasty? (Photo)

Answers (9)

More Rhinoplasty Questions

Constant runny nose and congestion

Has my nose been made smaller and wider? (Photo)

Should I have a full rhinoplasty or should I only have tip plasty? (Photo)

Tip of nose tingles - is this something to worry about?

Potential flat nasal bridge / epicanthal fold causing mild crossed eye appearance when looking at angle (Photo)

Can I get rid of my nostril sill completely? They’re very visible and seem to grow/swell with time (Photos)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS