Question:
I’m interested in getting a nose job and am wondering what some of the more common changes that can be made to the nose.
Answer:
There are many different changes that can be made during rhinoplasty. They can be summarized into making the nose smaller, making it bigger or correcting asymmetries or deviations. Most commonly patients are trying to make their noses smaller or more symmetric. In many cases though, the actual procedure involves making some portions smaller and others larger in order to create a balanced natural appearing nose.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham
Question:
Can a nose job improve a small, turned-up, pixie-like nose and what sort of improvement can be expected?
Answer:
Rhinoplasty can certainly improve a small turned up nose. Usually individuals with that sort of nose also have thin skin and fine cartilages. Facial features are also usually delicate. Therefore, the rhinoplasty goals are to decrease the degree that the nose turns up and perhaps add a small degree of width to the nose. This is certainly reasonable and the improvement expected should be significant.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham
Question:
What kinds of grafts can be used in rhinoplasty?
Answer:
A book could be written on this question. Not only are there cartilage grafts that can be placed on the nose, onlay grafts, but there are all kinds of grafts that can be placed in the tip, spreader grafts, rim grafts, lateral crural grafts, etc. Additionally, some artificial materials can be used in rhinoplasty as well, although we limit the use of these to the most rare case as we prefer cartilage whenever possible.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham
Question:
How is an under-projected tip fixed during rhinoplasty?
Answer:
We utilize an open rhinoplasty approach for fixing under-projection. In most cases we add a cartilage graft to the end of the septum and then lift the tip cartilages and secure them to this graft in a more projected position. In cases of a pre-existing long septum this can be done without the graft. In more severe cases, we may place a graft of cartilage directly on the nasal tip, called a tip graft. Smaller degrees of projection may be obtained with dome cartilage suture techniques.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham
Question:
I’m a woman and I’d like to have a more delicate looking nose. However, I’ve been told I have thick skin. Is this still possible?
Answer:
Thick skin will definitely limit the degree of refinement that can be achieved with rhinoplasty; however results can still be achieved. A consultation will be necessary to determine exactly what your expectations are and the degree of change that will be possible.
