Although rhinoplasty, or nose reshaping, is a rather complex and delicate surgery, most patients’ reasons for pursuing it are simple – they dislike a particular aspect of their nose’s appearance. Fortunately, even the most minor corrections and improvements made with rhinoplasty surgery can offer patients dramatic results that lead to a more balanced-looking and attractive face. Because the nose is such a focal point of a patient’s facial features and its function is essential to breathing, it is imperative that rhinoplasty surgery only be performed by an experienced and highly skilled provider. Dr. Robert Wilke, a board-certified plastic surgeon and partner at Edina Plastic Surgery, has performed thousands of nose reshaping procedures throughout his career that have helped improve his patients’ appearances and boosted their self-confidence!
Key Considerations with Rhinoplasty Surgery
“Deciding to change an aspect of your appearance with surgery is a big decision,” stresses Dr. Wilke. “It requires both an emotional and financial commitment from the patient, which I greatly respect. This commitment may seem even more crucial when plastic surgery is performed on the face because it is the part of us we show the world every day. This is also why it is essential that patients seek out a surgeon with a track record of successful rhinoplasty results, enjoys performing the procedure, has an artistic eye, and prioritizes creating outcomes that look natural and authentic to the patient’s facial features.”
Timing is Everything
For teenage patients considering rhinoplasty, it’s important to note that they must be at least 16 years old and have the consent of their parents before scheduling surgery. This is because the nose needs time to reach physical maturity and development before it can be operated on.
No One “Nose” You Better Than You
“Every plastic surgeon out there realizes the intense pressure many patients, especially younger ones, feel to look perfect,” says Dr. Wilke. “Social media feeds are filled with images unfairly modified with filters that aren’t disclosed, which can make patients develop unrealistic standards and expectations of what they should look like. The truth is, YOUR opinion is the only one that matters if you are considering rhinoplasty surgery. Never base the decision to change an aspect of your appearance based on someone else’s opinion.”
Be Prepared. Do Your Homework.
When it comes to plastic surgeries, rhinoplasty is almost in a realm of its own. It is much more intricate and complex than other surgeries, and it is performed on a small, delicate feature of the face. Therefore, the precision and skill of your plastic surgeon are paramount. Do your homework and educate yourself about the actual procedure. Look at real patient before and after pictures. Research your surgeon carefully and compile a list of questions to bring to your initial consultation. In essence, do your homework!
The Power of Personalization
While the nose might seem like a very small area to work on, rhinoplasty is a highly customizable procedure with numerous variations that can be tailored to your specific anatomy and goals. One of the decisions that you and your physician must make is whether you are performing your nose job with an open or closed approach.
“An open rhinoplasty allows your surgeon the most access to your nasal structures, which means they can provide more thorough and dramatic results in most cases,” explains Dr. Wilke. “However, the trade-off is that the incision for this method is made externally across the bit of tissue that separates the nostrils, which means the resulting scar may be visible at first but fades significantly by a year or so after surgery.”
“A closed rhinoplasty uses incisions made inside the nostrils,” says Dr. Wilke. “While this removes any chance of visible scarring, it limits your surgeon’s access to the inner architecture of your nose. During your consultation, you and your surgeon will discuss if your desired improvements can be achieved most effectively through a closed or open approach.”
7 Improvements Rhinoplasty Surgery Can Make to Your Nose
A patient’s motive for pursuing rhinoplasty surgery is as unique and individual as they are! Fortunately, nose reshaping surgery can address a variety of cosmetic concerns, most often during a single surgery.
#1 – To Smooth a Hump or Bump
“Many patients I see for nose surgery are bothered by a bump, or what we call a dorsal hump, on their nose,” says Dr. Wilke. “During a rhinoplasty, your surgeon can reshape nasal bones and cartilage and also reduce the size of the nasal dorsum to restore a smooth line to the nose.”
#2 – To Narrow the Bridge of the Nose
The bridge is the center cartilage that runs from between the eyebrows to the tip of the nose. Reducing a protruding or too-wide bridge or augmenting a receding bridge are among the most common reasons for patients to consider rhinoplasty. Narrowing the bridge of the nose can bring it into much better proportion and balance with the rest of the face.
#3 – To Shorten the Length of the Nose
“Rhinoplasty surgery can make a nose appear shorter by manipulating the upturn of the nasal tip,” explains Dr. Wilke. “This requires very precise handling to ensure that nasal structures and skin conform well. Support grafts may sometimes be needed to give structure and secure the tip’s angle to achieve the most natural-looking results.”
#4 – To Narrow or Widen the Nostrils
The nostrils are also a common area of concern for rhinoplasty patients. Overly large or narrow nostrils can make a person feel like the rest of their nose is out of balance, even in an otherwise harmonious facial structure.
“During surgery, a wedge of skin can be removed from the outside of the nostril or the inside of the nostril floor,” says Dr. Wilke. “The nostrils can then be narrowed or the excess nostril flare reduced. The incisions are very small and heal well but may be slightly visible.”
#5 – To Straighten a Crooked Nose
A crooked nose may develop naturally as a child goes through puberty or become crooked due to previous trauma. Regardless, straightening a crooked nose with rhinoplasty is a complex procedure that may require several different techniques.
“Straightening a crooked nose with rhinoplasty may require using strong straight cartilage grafts from the septum to support the external framework of the nose,” says Dr. Wilke. “It may also require a controlled fracture of the bones, cartilage repositioning, and sutures. The techniques used will vary patient by patient.”
#6 – To Reduce and Redefine a Bulbous Nose Tip
One of the most common requests in rhinoplasty surgery is to correct a bulbous or boxy nose tip. This is one of the most dramatic corrections that can be made during rhinoplasty and also one of the most difficult to achieve.
“An open rhinoplasty, which allows your surgeon access to underlying structures and cartilage, is required to correct a bulbous nose tip,” advises Dr. Wilke. “During your procedure, your surgeon will narrow the structure and sometimes even add cartilage grafts to enhance definition.”
#7 – To Lift or Lower the Nasal Tip
“The position of the tip of the nose can dramatically affect a patient’s appearance,” states Dr. Wilke. “A drooped tip can appear hooked, almost like a beak, and patients complain that their overly upturned tip makes their nose appear pig-like. During rhinoplasty surgery, your surgeon can carefully reposition and reshape the cartilage in the nasal tip.”
“Relative to the rest of our body, the nose is small, but the impact it has on our appearance is significant,” says Dr. Wilke. “We should never underestimate how dramatically its shape, size, and symmetry impact our overall appearance. So, if you are considering plastic surgery to improve the shape of your nose, know that it has one of the highest patient satisfaction rates of any procedure. Why? Because even the smallest adjustment or correction can restore a renewed balance and harmony to the face and significantly enhance the beauty and attractiveness of your entire appearance.”
Are you dissatisfied with a particular aspect of the appearance of your nose? Schedule a complimentary consultation with Mpls St. Paul Magazine Top Doctor, Dr. Robert Wilke or another board-certified plastic surgeon at Edina Plastic Surgery to discuss rhinoplasty surgery! Call (952) 234-6145, text (952) 925-1765, or CLICK HERE to get started!
