Can a Wide Dorsal Part Be Slimmed Down by Shaving It Down Without Breaking the Bone?

I can't tell you how common it is to hear from patients who are contemplating rhinoplasty surgery that say they "don't want their nasal bones broken."  I'm  not sure why patients worry so much about this, because they are asleep during the procedure and the healing time is 1 week whether or not the bones are broken. I guess it just sounds violent.

So, having said that, small dorsal humps can be shaved down without performing osteotomies. Larger humps or wide noses require osteotomies to narrow the bridge or improve a flattened dorsum after the hump has been removed (close an open roof deformity). African American noses can very from having no bridge at all, to having large bones and a hump, so you would need to be examined to see what surgical procedure you require..

My advice to you is to see a rhinoplasty surgeon and get their advice about what improvements can be made on your nose, but don't limit their tools by telling them "no osteotomies."

Rhinoplasty is a complex procedure and is not a simple as "shaving off" the unwanted areas.  Attention must be paid to the underlying anatomy and the support and structure of the nose.  In minor cases, the dorsum can be lowered by shaving alone.  However, you need to be careful since that can actually make the nose appear wider if the osteotomy is not also performed.  Additionally, if much bone is shaved, then you may be left with an open roof deformity if the osteotomy is not performed.  If you are seeing a board certified and qualified surgeon, then you really need to trust their opinion on what needs to be done during surgery to achieve your goals.  If you try to dictate what portions of the procedure can and cannot be done, then you may not get the result that you are looking for.  

Good Luck.