Will a Rhinoplasty help with small nostrils? (Photo)

If you are having difficulty breathing through your nose, the best advice would be to consult with several reputable rhinoplasty specialists so you could have your airway analyzed and see if you are indeed a candidate for airway reconstruction. Depending on your examination, your nostrils may get a drop wider. Thank you for this question, and I wish you well moving forward. Sincerely, Dr. Joseph

Hello! Thank you for your question as far as I can understand from your question.Rhinoplasty can sometimes improve breathing issues, but it usually does not make nostrils larger. In fact, depending on the technique, it could make them appear smaller or narrower. Since you already had alarplasty and feel your nostrils are tight, it’s very important to see an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon who focuses on functional as well as cosmetic results. They can evaluate whether you need structural support (like grafts) to improve airflow rather than further narrowing. The lumps you notice when smiling may be scar tissue or changes from the previous surgery.
It would be better face to face consultaion.

The alarplasty changed the angle of the nose and made the nostrils smaller. A rhinoplasty can be done with a cartilage graft to increase the tip projection. Also, you need the medial crura pulled together to give you a larger nasal passage.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photographs, you may benefit from a tip refining rhinoplasty. Your surgeon can accomplish this by trimming, suturing, and reshaping the cartilage in your lower nose. Cartilage grafts may also be used to help improve tip refinement. This can be designed to lessen the pinched appearance of your alar base and can also help improve your breathing. With good surgical technique, you could have an outstanding result. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Rhinoplasty can potentially improve your breathing issues without making your nostrils smaller; in fact, it may reshape or even enlarge them to enhance airflow and appearance. The lumps you notice when smiling could be due to scar tissue or healing from your previous alarplasty. It's important to consult a qualified surgeon who can assess your concerns and develop a personalized plan to address both functional and aesthetic aspects of your nose.