 hinoplasty, or nose surgery, is one of the most popular procedures
with over half a million people improving the appearance of their nose
each year. Some patients are unhappy with the nose they were born with or with the
way aging has affected their nose. For others, an injury may have distorted the
nose, or the goal may be to improve breathing. In every case, however, nothing
has a greater impact on how a person looks than the size and shape of the nose. The
nose is the most defining characteristic of the face, and even a slight alteration can
greatly improve one’s appearance.
Options for Refinement
If you have difficulty breathing through your nose, you may benefit from a
functional rhinoplasty. Nasal obstructions may be caused by a crooked septum, the
cartilage and bone that divides the nose into two air chambers; by internal
structures that are enlarged; or by weak sidewalls of the nose. Surgery can improve
your ability to breathe by adjusting and supporting the inside of your nose. This
type of surgery may be covered by your insurance company, as it is medically necessary
and cannot be controlled by medication. |
Asymmetrical noses often indicate breathing problems, which septorhinoplasty can correct.
Before (above) and after photos courtesy of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Nasal sculpting and refinement can be
accomplished with little trauma to the nose. Diamond-crystal files allow for precise
alterations in the shaping of the nose. Filler substances can be used to increase the
definition of the top and sides of the nose.
Small changes can result in incredible visible impact on the symmetry of the face.
More extensive restructuring of the nose will require underlying bone and cartilage to be
removed, added to, or rearranged to provide a newly shaped structure. The tissues are then redraped
over the new frame and the incisions are closed. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make me look like this person in the photo?
Photographs are a good place to begin our discussion about what you do like and
don’t like. It is not possible to recreate someone else’s nose on your face; the goal
is to improve on the nose you already have. Your discussion should lead to an agreement
of what you and your surgeon see as a realistic expectation from the surgery.
Can you fix a nose that sticks out too far?
Yes, you are referring to the projection of the nose. You may also be looking at the
projection of the nasal tip, which tends to droop as we age. Depending on your
specific case, the overall size of the nose may be reduced, which will allow the tip to
drop back toward your face, or the tip cartilage may be manipulated upwards or
removed to deproject the tip.
How do you remove a bump from the top of my nose?
A bump or hump is often on the nasal bridge (dorsum). It can be reduced by
using a file-like instrument to shave off and smooth down the excess bone. Occasionally, it
may be necessary to create controlled breaks in nasal bone to achieve simple hump reduction.
The skin easily re-drapes and adheres to the new shape of the nose. |
