Question:
The tip of my nose is too round. Can this be corrected with rhinoplasty?

Answer:
Patients often feel the tip of their nose is too large or round. This can be corrected during rhinoplasty with a variety of techniques. Cartilage removal techniques can decrease the size of the lower nasal cartilages decreasing the size of the nasal tip. Suturing techniques can be used to narrow and refine the nasal cartilages as well. With healing, these sutures provide a permanent change in the appearance of the nasal tip. Patients with thicker skin may require more aggressive cartilage cutting techniques to get the definition they want. Your nasal surgeon will have other techniques as well to give more definition to the nasal tip.

Video imaging can be used to visualize what your nose would look like after surgery. This can be used to make sure you and your surgeon are on the same page with goals for the appearance of your nasal tip and nose.

Rhinoplasty can improve the appearance of the nasal tip. Finding out which techniques are right for you starts with a consultation with a board certified facial plastic surgeon.

Posted by Mark M. Hamilton M.D. FACS

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Question:
What kind of grafts can be used in rhinoplasty?

Answer:
Grafts are often an important part of a rhinoplasty procedure. There are a variety of types ofgraft materials that can be used in rhinoplasty as well as many locations/functions they can serve. 

A detailed description is beyond a blog question, but in general grafts are used for support and appearance.Materials used for grafts include nasal septal cartilage, ear cartilage, rib cartilage or synthetic materials.Because of its proximity in the surgical field, I most often use nasal septal cartilage. It provides good strengthand yet is relatively easy to contour. When more material or support is required, ear or rib cartilage can be used.While some surgeons will use synthetic materials, I try to avoid these because of the increased risk of infection and extrusion.

Grafts can be used in almost any location in the nose. They are most commonly used in my practice to provide support andwidth in the critical nasal valve region (think breathe right strips) and for support of the nasal tip at the base of the nose.They can also be used to camouflage irregularities, build up the bridge of the nose, and provide nasal support.

The first step to deciding what grafts may be required for your rhinoplasty is a consultation and evaluation by a board certified facial plastic surgeon.

Posted by Mark M. Hamilton M.D. FACS

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Question:
The tip of my nose is tooround, Can this be corrected with rhinoplasty?

Answer:
Patients often feel the tip of their nose is too large or round. This can be corrected during rhinoplasty witha variety of techniques. Cartilage removal techniques can decrease the size of the lower nasal cartilages decreasing the size of the nasal tip. Suturing techniques can be used to narrow and refine the nasal cartilages as well. With healing, these sutures provide a permanent change in the appearance of the nasal tip. Patients with thicker skin may require more aggressive cartilage cutting techniques to get the definition they want. Your nasal surgeon will have other techniques as well togive more definition to the nasal tip.

Video imaging can be used to visualize what your nose would look like after surgery. This can be used to make sure you and your surgeon are on the same page with goals for the appearance of your nasal tip and nose.

Rhinoplasty can improve the appearance of the nasal tip. Finding out which techniques are right for you starts with a consultation with a board certified facial plastic surgeon.

Posted by Mark M. Hamilton M.D. FACS

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Question:
I am an African American female looking to have a nose job.  I feel that my nose is too wide, but I am also scared that a generic small nose might look out of place on my face. Is there a chance of sort of ‘losing my ethnicity’ by having a rhinoplasty?

Answer:
Rhinoplasty involves reshaping the nose to achieve a more aesthetic appearance.

For those with a nose typical for African Americans, this can involve procedures to narrow the nasal bridge, refine the nasal tip and narrow the nostrils. Most African Americans want to make changes that improve their appearance without sacrificing their ethnicity.

Conservative changes with this in mind are important. In addition, video imaging can be used to show patients expected post-surgery appearance. This tool enables patients to be sure that their goals are in line with their surgeon’s.

With today’s rhinoplasty techniques, patients are able to improve their appearance without sacrificing their ethnicity.

Consulting with a board certified facial plastic surgeon is the first step to achieving the nasal appearance you want.

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Question:
Is it normal for the tip of the nose to appear somewhat upturned after a nose job? I’m a few weeks post op and my doctor says this is normal and will get better.

Answer:
A slight upturn of the nose after rhinoplasty is common and should not be of concern. This upturn is mostly due to swelling and should improve as this resolves. Keeping your head elevated and limiting activities will help. With time this should improve. If revisions would be necessary, they should not be performed until a full year from surgery.

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