Split in tip of nose between cartilage and deviated septum. Would rhinoplasty or fillers be the best option?

Question

The split between my cartlidge on the tip of my nose is becoming more prominent with age. I also have a deviated septum and slight bump on bridge. I have booked in for BA and Rhinoplasty with a board certified surgeon at the end of the month. However, will I get good results from the rhinoplasty as the split is very prominent? Or would it be safer and more practical (risk wise) to use fillers correcting the issues temporarily? Thank you for your advice.

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

I'll get to that in a minute.The split is there because the two cartilages that form the tip of your nose are strong and highly curved, and your skin is relatively thin, so you are able to see the outlines of those two cartilages through the skin. See the short animation that I posted with this answer: the woman had a similar situation, and you can visualize the position and shape of her tip cartilages before surgery.See the "Web reference" link, just below my response. I made a computer morph of your nose, and an animation of the morph, to show the changes that are possible for your nose in truly expert hands.
When the tip cartilages are strong like that, they usually also hold the tip down, so you can see in the morph that I raised your tip up a bit. Then, I lowered the gentle bump on the bridge of your nose.You should understand that the changes I demonstrated in the morph require very advanced techniques, techniques that most plastic surgeons cannot handle.  Be sure to read the section in the "Web reference" link on how to stay out of trouble while searching for a rhinoplasty surgeon, and be positive that you followed all the steps, especially seeing before and after photos of other of his patients with wide tips like yours. I can tell you that, at least in the U.S., the great majority of rhinoplasty surgeons would not have a prayer of adequately handling a tip like yours.Your nose is also a good example of why computer imaging is mandatory in rhinoplasty. You need to know exactly what the surgeon is planning to accomplish -- what features he'll change, and by how much he'll change them -- so you know whether it's enough to be meaningful to you, and whether he understands your wishes enough to address all of your priorities. Then, he must show you before and after photos to prove that he can actually accomplish what he draws on the computer.

Ivo Gwanmesia, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your query.It sounds like you have a cleft at your nasal tip. I would have presumed your surgeon would have examined this and looked inside your mouth and face to exclude the possibility of an extension.If you are booked in to have surgery then you really should be discussing all your concerns with your surgeon, and getting all the answers from him as he will be the one to address these issues.Kind regards.

Split in tip of nose between cartilage and deviated septum. Would rhinoplasty or fillers be the best option?

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Split in tip of nose between cartilage and deviated septum. Would rhinoplasty or fillers be the best option?

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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