Wide nose - what should I ask for during rhinoplasty consultations? (Photo)

Question

I have a wide nose that's always beaten down on my confidence, I was wondering what I should ask for during consultations. Also would like to hear from doctors in the USA!

Donald Groves, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question and the picture. Addressing the shape of your nose (especially the nasal tip) is actually one of the most common reasons people seek out and undergo a rhinoplasty. An open septorhinoplasty can best address both your aesthetic concerns and any functional issues with your nose. I would be able to adjust the size, shape, and definition of your nose (particularly the tip)!

This truly is a surgery of millimeters- and whether you're looking for a minor adjustment or a major transformation, it requires exceptional surgical skill to achieve functional and natural-looking results! Because your nose is the DEFINING feature of your face- I would only recommend seeing a surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty procedures, and who has significant training and experience performing these surgeries. I actually trained under one of the world leading rhinoplasty experts (who performs 1,000+ nosejobs annually).

I recommend for you to setup a formal consultation with me (or another plastic surgeon who is extremely comfortable with rhinoplasties) to thoroughly discuss your surgical goals, undergo a formal examination, evaluate your options, and develop a personalized plan just for you. I hope this helps!

Dr. Donald Groves
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Selcuk Inanli, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question.
As far as I can understand from your question if you can send two photos of the front and side profile in better light, it will be possible to make a more accurate evaluation.
It would be better face to face consultation.
Best Regards!

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Based on your photo, we can see that you have a wide nasal appearance in the upper middle and lower 1/3 of your nose. Please consider meeting with several reputable rhinoplasty specialist who offer computer imaging so you could see what to expect moving forward. Thank you for your question. Sincerely, Dr. Joseph

Andrew Miller, MD · Answer

Based on your photo, you are a great candidate for rhinoplasty. On the consultation you should get an idea of the surgeon's experience and if rhinoplasty is a procedure that is performed all the time. You should be able to see a lot of photos of patients with wide noses that were made thinner. You should go to a surgeon that can do computer imaging at the same. Also, make sure the surgeon operates in a state licensed ambulatory center where the highest safety standards are met.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

You should ask about alar wedge excision in addition to the rest of the rhinoplasty. This will narrow the flaring  nostrils and make a big difference

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Reduction of the nose width is one of the components of rhinoplasty. In some patients more than lateral osteotomies need to be performed to achieve satisfactory narrowing of the lateral nasal walls. In person or teleconference consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon, expert in rhinoplasty, is recommended. Good luck.

Ruslan Zhuravsky, DO · Answer

Great question! A good consultation is an essential part of a successful rhinoplasty. As a surgeon who does many revisions, I often find that some patients seem to just go in, describe that they want certain changes, and leave it up to the surgeon. Clear communication is very important because it helps you determine if the surgeon really understands your desires and k ows how to achieve your goals.When going into a consult, first understand the very basics of what a rhinoplasty involves, and have the surgeon explain it to you as well. This starts off the communication process. Have a conversation about the changes you want, not simply saying a few things and having the surgeon agree. Do computer morphed imaging with the surgeon, so they are able to show you what they think is possible. This helps you see their vision and allows you to see what the nose would look like on your face. When it comes to a wide nose, we look at the width of the upper third, middle third, and lower third (for tip and nostrils). The upper third is made of bones, and requires very specific cuts or fine lines breaks in the bones inorder to bring them together. It's very important to avoid bring them in too much, collapsing the bones, and ending up with a fake appearance. The middle is similar but made of cartilages. It's important to make sure we preserve the support here as it will not only lead to a poor aesthetic result, but also a functional issue of nasal valve collapse. Spreader grafts or auto spreaders are often needed to prevent such issues. The lower third is structurally very different. The nasal tip can be refined in many different ways, depending on the structure (hard to see yours definitively from this photo). The nostrils must also be reduced by making incisions on the sides. There are several techniques for this and difficult to discuss technically in a paragraph answer. The nostrils should also be supported to avoid an upward flaring. I encourage you to read up on rhinoplasty from good credible sources and arm yourself with info. Then do several consultations to compare surgeons. They should not only demonstrate that they are capable of achieving your desired results, but also that they understand your vision and willing to dedicate the necessary effort for this very highly individualized surgery. Good luck!

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photograph, you may benefit from a tip refining rhinoplasty. Your surgeon can accomplish this by trimming, suturing, and reshaping the cartilage in your lower nose. Cartilage grafts may also be used to help improve tip refinement. Alar base reduction can also be performed at the same time. With good surgical technique, you could have an outstanding result. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Elizabeth A. Blasberg, MD · Answer

Hi there!The best way to ask for a narrower nose in your case is to ask that the nasal alae and the nasal sills are reduced, as well as asking for osteotomies to narrow the nose. Although I cannot see your nasal profile, I am suspecting that you have some underprojection of your nose/nasal tip, and would benefit from augmentation of the dorsal and possibly also the caudal septum (anterior septal angle) to help with that, which will also result in some narrowing of the nasal appearance from the front view. (That might require a rib cartilage graft harvest).Most importantly, you should realize that your nose likely needs to be grafted, not significantly reduced, in its cartilage structure, in order to look more narrow and streamlined, even though this seems to be the opposite of what you want. (Hint- it is all about shadows and light!) If your surgeon over-reduces the structure of your nose, it will look wider and less defined due to the type of skin and cartilage framework you have been born with. 
Good luck!Elizabeth Blasberg, MD

William Portuese, MD · Answer

To narrow the bridge line requires osteotomies placed in the nasal bones. To narrow the nasal tip cartilages requires a combination of suture techniques or conservative cartilage removal. To Narrow wide nostrils is considered an Alar-plasty. Digital computer imaging would be helpful to understand what can be accomplished with your nose upon your facial features. Thick skin in the tip of the nose is going to prevent refinement in that area. A closed rhinoplasty approach can accomplish your goals with all of the incisions placed on the inside of the nose, which is less invasive and heals faster. No painful packing is placed inside the nose.

Wide nose - what should I ask for during rhinoplasty consultations? (Photo)

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