What are your recommendations for nose widening at the base after upper jaw surgery? (photos)

Question

I had Lefort I and my upper jaw was moved forward 5 mm. My nose before really did not widen before surgery and it makes me very self conscious now. I really liked my nose before. I don't mind how it tipped up, but I do not like the width. I am currently 1 year post op.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

This is not an uncommon issue following upper jaw advancement. The base of your nose can be narrowed and any excess flare in your nostrils can be reduced at the same time. This type of modification can be performed in the office under local anesthesia with very little discomfort. I hope this information is helpful.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Adam Bryce Weinfeld, MD · Answer

Your question has already been answered well.  I agree wit the alar cinch suture.  The only think I would add is that it can be done under local.  I believe it is done best in a transoral approach (ie - an incision inside the mouth under the upper lip) and there needs to be some dissection of the soft tissues off of the underlying hard structures in order to truly move the tissues.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

There are several ways to address this.  Many surgeons will use an alar cinch suture to prevent this widening after a maxillary advancement prior to closure.  This would be an option at this time as well as alteration of the alar base through an external approach.Find a board certified plastic surgeon who performs hundreds  
of rhinoplasties and rhinoplasty revisions each year.  Then look at the 
 plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a   
sense of who can deliver the results. 	Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

It is extremely common after A Lefort 1 procedure to have alar widening/splaying due to the release of the muscles at the nasal base. This can be corrected by either an internal alar base conch suture or external alar base narrowing. Which is best is based on the shape of your nostrils now and how it widens when smiling.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It is a common concern that after a Lefort I that the nose looks wider. This can be due to release of soft tissue around the nose.  Thi can be corrected.

What are your recommendations for nose widening at the base after upper jaw surgery? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Alar Base Narrowing after LeFort Surgery

Answer: Alar Base Narrowing after LeFort Surgery

Answer: Alar width after Lefort I

Answer: Alar width after Lefort I

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What are your recommendations for nose widening at the base after upper jaw surgery? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Alar Base Narrowing after LeFort Surgery

Answer: Alar Base Narrowing after LeFort Surgery

Answer: Alar width after Lefort I

Answer: Alar width after Lefort I

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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