Shaving a dorsal hump, how long is recovery? (photo)

Question

My profile I have a hump and would like it shaven down/removed. I am happy with my nose for the most part but I can't stand the hump! I just want it shaven down but I want it to happen without anything else changing. Is this possible? how evasive this form of rhinoplasty is? Also, How long is recover time from this surgery? I am working full time and need to know what I am getting myself into!

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The hump can be removed with a closed 
rhinoplasty with you probably returning to work in 7 to 10 days.Find a board certified plastic surgeon who performs hundreds  
of rhinoplasties and rhinoplasty revisions each year.  Then look at the 
 plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a   
sense of who can deliver the results. 	Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Farhad Rafizadeh, MD · Answer

You are correct about not needing anything else but a dorsal hump reduction on your nose. The recovery depends on the need for an osteotomy ( breaking the bones to reestablish the arch over the bridge of your nose ). In some cases if the hump is small and the bridge is narrow, one can just do a shave which heals in no time. In majority of cases however the bridge needs to be narrowed after hump removal. In those cases one needs to bring the side bones together to close the roof. This would require a splint for a week and possible bruising beyond a week. A chin implant in your case could further improve your profile and facial harmony, but that could be uncomfortable for a bit longer.

Paul S. Nassif, MD · Answer

An exam would be necessary to provide you with advice. Osteotomies (fracturing of the nasal bones) are sometimes necessary to prevent an open roof deformity from occurring when rasping a nasal hump. Your prospective surgeon can advise you on this prior to surgery. In general, the initial recovery period following rhinoplasty is 2 weeks. You will have a hard cast on your nose the first week followed by  brown paper tape the second week. It is important to rest the first week and avoid anything strenuous, and gradually increase your activity during week two. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for 4-5 weeks after surgery. Some patients may return to work sooner than others, but it really depends on what your job entails. Expect to return to work in 10 -14 days. I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck.

Steven J. Pearlman, MD, FACS · Answer

Some patients need just the hump removed. However, sometimes it can throw off the balance of the nose. I find computer imaging, especially, Vectra 3-D is a great way to see if a hump removal alone will work. We can also look at other potential changes. As for recovery, most patients are back to work or school in just over a week.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

The dorsal hump is composed of both bone and cartilage and when a significant hump is present, osteotomies must be performed of the nasal bones to prevent a" flat top" or open roof deformity. A cast will be applied across the nose for 5-6 days. Expect about 10 days of  visible bruising and swelling. For many examples of hump removal, please see the link below

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Thanks for the questions andy posting the side view photo. Best to seek ONLY IN PERSON opinions. In my over the internet opinion you need a full rhinoplasty with a chin implant. But if only doing the "hump" removal ( which I think is only doing one third of what is needed) could be done at a cost of $4,500 with 10 days recover...

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

Recovery is typically one week. A splint would be placed to hold your nasal bones in place and that would be removed between 5-7 days post-surgery. You might develop bruising under your eyes but that typically resolves by 7-10 days and can be camouflaged immediately with makeup or tinted sunscreen. On a related note, if your profile is the view that troubles you, your plastic surgeon will likely discuss the possibility of combining rhinoplasty with chin augmentation. If your chin does not concern you, then you do not need to combine the procedures but those two procedures would provide the best aesthetic result for you. Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Alexander Ovchinsky, MD · Answer

I agree with you- your profile would look very nice after dorsal hump removal. Your tip rotation (angle between nasal tip and the lip) and tip length look appropriate and don't need to be changed. Unfortunately, you have not provided the front view photo so it is impossible to say if the nose is deviated or not. Dorsal hump resection is actually a fairly straightforward procedure and in the case of a small hump may not require osteotomies (breaking and moving the nasal bones) thus decreasing postoperative bruising and swelling. I sometimes don't even use the splint in these cases, just the tape over the dorsum. As a sidenote, your chin looks slightly small on the profile view. While you might have not thought about it, it may be beneficial to consider chin implant which will gurther improve your profile and front views. The recovery will not be much different from the recovery from rhinoplasty alone. Please get a formal consultation with a surgeon of your choice to go over the details. And good luck!

George C. Peck, Jr, MD · Answer

Your dorsal hump can easily be modified and resolved with a standard closed rhinoplasty. If the bump is small, you may not need infracture of your nasal bones. Removal of a large bump may flatten the nasal bones at the bridge and correction involves infracture of the nasal bones. Obviously, if the bones don't need to be infractured, you will recover faster.Consult a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Shaving a dorsal hump, how long is recovery? (photo)

Answers (9)

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