Do I need Gore-Tex or is alarplasty/tip plasty enough? (photos)

Question

My nose is wide and uneven, it seems like it is bigger when i age..my face is small and oval that some say i got big nose. i am bothered by the extra big skin on the center sides of my nose. I wish a subtle change, i am anxious that it will be too obvious, i wish i can handle a dramatic change but i want to look as natural as possible. Like i just lost weight.

Adam Bryce Weinfeld, MD · Answer

no, dont use goretex.  that really isnt done anymore for dorsal augmentation.  i have been going to and teaching at rhinoplasty educational meetings for years now.  i have not heard of one person mention that in years.  rib graft, thats what is need if you are going to augment the dorsum among other things

Mark K. Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  In general, I would highly recommend against placement of gore-text in your nose, as this can lead to a host of complications including but not limited to wound breakdown, Gore-Tex extrusion, skin distortion, infection, malposition, and an unsatisfactory cosmetic appearance long-term.  Although an exam in person is ideal, from your photographs alone it appears that you can benefit from a tip rhinoplasty where the nasal tip cartilage is modified for a more refined, feminine, and less projected look.  The modification of your nasal cartilage can be done with trimming, stitching or grafting.  Your skin can also be thinned during that time, as necessary.  If your septum is deviated and you have breathing difficulty, a septoplasty may benefit you as well.  The next step for you is to find the right aesthetic plastic surgeon.  In your rhinoplasty consultation, be sure your surgeon addresses all your aesthetic goals and concerns specifically, and discusses the surgery details including the position and size of the incisions used (with actual photographs and not just digital animations), the risks and benefits of the procedure, recovery time, and post-operative course.  Also, be sure to see plenty of before-and-after pictures in women who have a similar nose appearance to yours, and preferably at different time frames (3 weeks out, 3 months out, etc) to more accurately predict your own surgical outcome.
  
After seeking out a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery, I think the most important component of the consultation is to establish a good connection with your plastic surgeon.  It’s the connection that allows you to clearly define your desired nose outcome goals, the first step of this whole process. If you don’t feel you have a good connection with your plastic surgeon after your consultation, he/she may not be the best surgeon for you.
  
For more information on rhinoplasty, please refer to my link below.
  
Good luck.
  
Mark K Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS
  
Harvard-trained Board Certified Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  You should not have gore-tex placed in your nose, as this is associated with numerous complications including infection, malposition, extrusion, etc.   Based on your photographs, you may benefit from a tip refining rhinoplasty which can be performed by trimming, suturing, and reshaping the cartilage in your lower nose. You may also benefit from an alar base reduction.  Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and not just a computer animation system.  You should be able to view numerous pictures of actual patients with noses similar to yours performed by your surgeon.  If you cannot find enough real before and after pictures, then consider continuing your search for a surgeon. Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

A rhinoplasty that provides a thinning effect for the front view of the nose and a tip lengthening effect from the side view would be beneficial. The tip needs to be thinned and additional projection provided which can be done using your own cartilage. The thick skin of your nose is going to prevent any dramatic nose reshaping effect to occur so this is not the type of change you need to fear.

Daniel Zeichner, MD · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
From your photos, I note a broad nasal base and a broad amorphous nasal tip. The nose appears midline. The nostril bases are slightly broadened. The skin appears relatively thick. 
Rhinoplasty will narrow the nasal base and provide definition to the nasal tip by removing segments of "overgrown" tip cartilages. Alar base excisions may be considered but should be conservative. Skin thickness limits the amount of improvement achievable but it would still be worthwhile.
I do not recommend goretex or other foreign materials to be placed in the nose as the risks of infection, extrusion, and malposition are quite high.
Visit a board certified plastic surgeon for in-person evaluation and discussion.
Best wishes...

Do I need Gore-Tex or is alarplasty/tip plasty enough? (photos)

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Answer: Rhinoplasty

Answer: Rhinoplasty

Answer: Candidacy for rhinoplasty

Answer: Candidacy for rhinoplasty

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Do I need Gore-Tex or is alarplasty/tip plasty enough? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Rhinoplasty

Answer: Rhinoplasty

Answer: Candidacy for rhinoplasty

Answer: Candidacy for rhinoplasty

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Alarplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.