Can I Just Have my Nasal Bones Rasped a 1-2mm to Bring Them in Line with the Rest of my Nose? (photo)

The picture is inadequate to give a complete response but it looks as though the bony projections might be able to be treated by rasping only. The overall with the nasal base needs to be evaluated to see if this is a possibility.

The nasal bones can be reduced in height with a rasp, but to narrow them needs an osteotomy ( the bones broken)

The problem with rasping only is that the nose will appear broad and flat and that is a result that I suspect will not meet your expectations. A rhinoplasty is about proportion, so to decrease height often means you need to narrow the nose to maintain proportion.

I hope that is of some help

Jeremy Hunt

Hi there,

The nasal bridge is a key part of nasal aesthetics.  A rasping alone will not be appropriate for your nasal bones, they are too wide.

It should however be possible to correct the bony vault closed.  My practice is mainly open rhinoplasty, but your picture demonstrates most likely vault work alone which is possible to do closed.

All the best,

Howard Webster

       A closed rhinoplasty will be able to accomplish your goals.

Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials 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

Hi there.   As always, the definitive answer rests with an in-person consultation.  Generally speaking, a nasal hump is reduced via rasping.  Hump reduction may lead to the nose looking wide (known medically as an "open roof").  This would necessitate osteotomies ("breaking the nose") to narrow the nose and re-establish nasal harmony.  As an analogy, please think of a pyramid.  Imagine the top or apex of the pyramid has been removed.  From above, the pyramid would then look wide (i.e. "open roof").  It would be necessary to reposition the walls of the pyramid (i.e. osteotomies). 

These maneuvers may be accomplished via closed technique (all incisions made within the nose).  A precise knowledge of the intranasal anatomy is critical.  Select a surgeon who is able to display multiple before and after photos of rhinoplasty patients.  Regards, Andy Shah MD