submitted by Daniel A. Sterling, M.D., FACS

Can a shorter nose be achieved with rhinoplasty?

Almost any alteration can be made to the nose through rhinoplasty whether it be open or closed rhinoplasty.  Some patients have a particularly long nose where the tip of the nose droops down toward the upper lip causing an acute angle between the nose and upper lip.  This is usually caused by excessive length of the septum and can be corrected by properly resecting what is called the “caudal septum.”  Once this has been completed the proper angle between the nose and upper lip is achieved given a much more aesthetically pleasing look.  Many other alterations can be made at the same time including resection of a hump on the profile, refinement of the tip as well as a formal septoplasty.

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submitted by Daniel A. Sterling, MD, FACS

Is it possible for patients with thin skin to have a hump removed during rhinoplasty?

Many variables are assessed by your surgeon during your consultation for rhinoplasty, otherwise known as a “nose job.”  The quality of the skin, which includes its thickness, is a very important variable in the final outcome.  Having thin skin does not preclude performing a rhinoplasty; in fact, thinner skin can make the results of a rhinoplasty much more readily apparent.  Reduction of the “hump” on one’s profile, technically known as a dorsal hump, which is a prominence of the bony and cartilaginous area on the dorsum of the nose, is easily accomplished during either open or closed rhinoplasty.  The concern for patients with overly thin skin is that the underlying structures and any irregularities will be seen through the skin.  Although it is not always necessary, either an allograft, such as AlloDerm or one's own cartilage can be placed between the underlying nasal structure and the skin to camouflage these structures. In some cases a silastic implant can be used with excellent results.  For almost all patients, an excellent result can be expected.

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Submitted by Daniel A. Sterling, MD FACS

Is it possible to have augmentation in rhinoplasty?

 Several concepts in rhinoplasty need to be understood. The nose can be reduced, altered, or augmented depending on the nasal deformity.  When doing an augmentation rhinoplasty there are a number of options including cartilage, bone and artificial materials that can be used for grafting purposes.

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 For confidential personalized information and advice, please call us at 1-800-640-0290 during business hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST. You can also visit our website for more information or use the online contact form to send an inquiry. LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING HOURS NOW AVAILABLE. 

Submitte by Daniel A. Sterling, MD FACS

Possible ear cartilage warping from rhinoplasty?

Ear cartilage can be used for grafting purposes during a rhinoplasty.  All cartilage is prone to warping and it is for that reason that certain techniques are employed to prevent this, namely, scoring of the cartilage and secure fixation.

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 For confidential personalized information and advice, please call us at 1-800-640-0290 during business hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST. You can also visit our website for more information or use the online contact form to send an inquiry. LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING HOURS NOW AVAILABLE.

Submitted by Daniel A. Sterling, MD, FACS

What is a strut procedure?

A strut is a support structure by definition and is sometimes used during rhinoplasty to provide support. For example, when a patient has a “weak tip with poor support” a columellar strut is placed to restore support to the nasal tip and provide an excellent result to the rhinoplasty.

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Submitted by Daniel A. Sterling, MD, FACS

Can a nose job correct bulbous tip deformity and look natural?

A rhinoplasty to correct a bulbous tip is one of the most commonly performed procedures.  The tip can be refined and reduced to give a very natural appearing tip without any evidence of having had a rhinoplasty in essence.

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 For confidential personalized information and advice, please call us at 1-800-640-0290 during business hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST. You can also visit our website for more information or use the online contact form to send an inquiry. LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING HOURS NOW AVAILABLE.

submitted by Daniel A. Sterling, MD

Revision for hanging columella and upturned nose tip.

There are several deformities that can result following rhinoplasty and these two can occur very infrequently. A hanging columella (area between the nostrils) and upturned nose tip can usually occur together and when correcting the hanging columella the upturned nose appearance is frequently corrected at the same time. If the upturned tip is corrected with revision of the hanging columella it is a relatively simple procedure.  If the nasal tip needs revision it is somewhat more extensive.

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submitted by Daniel A. Sterling, MD

What is an open roof deformity?

An open roof deformity occurs during a rhinoplasty when the dorsum or part of the nose that typically has a hump on it in profile, is altered.  Once the bone and cartilage are lowered to remove a hump, a wide flat surface results and this is called an open roof deformity.  It is corrected by fracturing the base of the nasal pyramid and repositioning the bones closer together. This is a routine part of most rhinoplasty procedures.

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For confidential personalized information and advice, please call us at 1-800-640-0290 during business hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST. You can also visit our website for more information or use the online contact form to send an inquiry. LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING HOURS NOW AVAILABLE . 

Submitted by Daniel A. Sterling, MD, FACS

 I had Rhinoplasty surgery done to remove a bump on my nose 4 years ago.  The surgery was not successful and I have had to have a revision done.  Now there is cartilage exposed and I have breathing problems. I need to have the problem fixed but don’t know where to begin.
 

Exposed cartilage following a rhinoplasty is an unusual result that requires careful assessment and prompt treatment. Breathing difficulties from exposed cartilage is an unusual situation which is not encountered very often. A rhinoplasty is both a functional and cosmetic operation and great deal of attention needs to be given to assessment of the airway prior to performing the initial rhinoplasty.  Breathing difficulties can be caused by a number of problems. An example is allergic rhinitis which would be properly treated with steroids and other medications rather than by an operative procedure.

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For confidential personalized information and advice, please call us at 1-800-640-0290 during business hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST. You can also visit our website for more information or use the online contact form to send an inquiry. LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING HOURS NOW AVAILABLE . 

Submitted by Daniel A. Sterling, MD, FACS

Do the nasal bones need to broken when rhinoplasty surgery is performed?           

Not everyone who has a rhinoplasty requires fracturing of the nasal bones.  The nasal bones are fractured for several reasons, most commonly to narrow the base of the nasal pyramid.  In addition, if a large nasal “hump” is removed the nasal bones are fractured to properly align the bones following its removal.  An external splint is used for a period of seven days after a nasal bone fracture at which time they are usually well healed.

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For confidential personalized information and advice, please call us at 1-800-640-0290 during business hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST. You can also visit our website for more information or use the online contact form to send an inquiry. LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING HOURS NOW AVAILABLE.

Submitted by Daniel A. Sterling, MD, FACS

 Who decides nose shape for Rhinoplasty?

The shape of a nose following rhinoplasty usually adheres to standard aesthetic norms.  In other words, a pleasing shape of the nose is something that is relatively standard although different for men and women.  Your plastic surgeon will discuss all of the changes to your nose prior to performing the rhinoplasty.  Not everyone has the same desire for a particular shape and that is relatively easy to accommodate during surgery. A very thick nasal tip is more difficult to shape than a patient with thin skin, and so the final shape of the nose cannot be guaranteed.

Submitted by Dr. Daniel A. Sterling

I would like my nose recontoured but due to my schedule I cannot afford any down time. Do you offer an alternative to rhinoplasty surgery?

In recent years, fillers have been used to perform “nonsurgical rhinoplasty.”  Although not all abnormalities can be corrected with fillers, certain areas of the nose can be augmented to provide a more symmetrical look.  It is particularly effective along the dorsum of the nose where one would commonly see what is known as a “hump” on profile.  Adding fillers above and below the hump can effectively eliminate the perception of a hump.  Minimal downtime and nice results can be expected in many cases.

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For confidential personalized information and advice, please call us at 1-800-640-0290 during business hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST. You can also visit our website for more information or use the online contact form to send an inquiry. LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING HOURS NOW AVAILABLE . 

Submitted by Dr. Daniel A. Sterling

I  have a deviated septum and have been told I suffer from sleep apnea because of this. Will having surgery to correct the deviated septum help me.
 

There are many causes of sleep apnea. A deviated septum in of itself should not cause sleep apnea; however, it can certainly exacerbate or worsen your propensity towards sleep apnea. Difficulty breathing due to a deviated septum can cause severe snoring which can disrupt sleep patterns and cause symptoms similar to sleep apnea. If a deviated septum is the root of the problem it is relatively easily addressed compared to surgery of the throat for sleep apnea. In either case, sleep apnea is usually readily diagnosed by a history and physical and some straight forward testing

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For confidential personalized information and advice, please call us at 1-800-640-0290 during business hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST. You can also visit our website for more information or use the online contact form to send an inquiry. LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING HOURS NOW AVAILABLE .