What are the risks associated with a rhinoplasty? Hoping to correct hanging columella and raised alar

Improving the tip is the hardest part of rhinoplasty. With a highly experienced rhinoplasty surgeon, the risk should be very minimal. However, there are always small risks of having irregularities after surgery depending on how you heal, even in very experienced hands. But those irregularities are usually small and easily corrected. The big problems occur more often with inexperienced rhinoplasty surgeons. Be sure to confirm that your surgeon performs rhinoplasty every week and has a lot of photos to confirm the experience.

The best way to ensure a favorable outcome is to utilize a surgeon with many favorable before and after photos, many favorable reviews, a long history of performing many rhinoplasties, and appropriate training. These criteria have been met, go on several consultations and see how you feel. I hope this helps! Sincerely, Dr Joseph

The hanging columella can be addressed easily as it is just tip surgery. As well the alar can be raised at the same time. However, if you want the bone corrected as well then you will need more extensive surgery. There are many qualified surgeons who can perform a rhinoplasty without any complications,

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

It is impossible to give you a meaningful advice without photos or in person evaluation. You should select 2-3 board certified plastic surgeons in your area with expertise in rhinoplasty and make in-person consultation. That will give you an opportunity to find about the options to correct the nose deformity as well as to meet surgeon and evaluate his/her experience, skills and results. Hope this helps.

Hello and thank you for your question. There can be risks associated with any surgery. I highly recommend that you carefully select your surgeon for Rhinoplasty. I always recommend that you carefully evaluate your surgeon’s online before and after gallery on their website for both quality and quantity of results. Make sure that there are hundreds of real before and after pictures which demonstrate long-term follow up results. If your surgeon is posting mostly on table results without real long-term follow up results, that is usually a major red flag. If a surgeon is posting mostly just splint removal day videos without longterm follow-up pictures, that can also be a red flag. Long-term results are much more meaningful than on table results or 1 week post-op results. 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