Rhinoplasty (nose job) is a surgery that can alter the size and shape of a person’s nose by adjusting bone, cartilage, and other tissues. By making careful adjustments to the structure of the nose, a more ideal appearance can be achieved.
We’ve performed rhinoplasty on countless patients here at our Edina office. One thing that rhinoplasty is particularly helpful with is shortening/reducing the length of a person’s nose.
What Is Meant by a Long Nose?
A person with a long nose is someone whose nose either extends a bit further down at the tip of the nose or projects outward further due to the tip of the nose. There may be nothing wrong with a long nose in and of itself, yet a number of people do feel self-conscious about the appearance of their nose because of issues related to length. If that person happens to work in a field that involves a lot of public interaction, it’s possible that these feelings of self-consciousness will impact their job performance.
A long nose tends to be most apparent when someone is viewed in profile. That’s when the nose extending downward or projecting outward will tend to be the most pronounced. If the length of one’s nose is an issue, a rhinoplasty can help to a certain degree.
How Rhinoplasty for a Long Nose Works
When it comes to people with long noses, a plastic surgeon’s primary focus will be the tip of the nose and how to shorten the cartilage there to enhance overall appearance.
In some cases, the ideal approach will be altering the cartilage subtly so that the tip of the nose angles a bit more upward rather than dipping downward. Altering the bridge and tip of the nose may be ideal for some patients as well, improving the overall shape of the nose.
Ways of Performing the Surgical Procedure
Whatever the approach may be, there are two ways that a rhinoplasty can be performed:
- Closed Rhinoplasty – In this form of rhinoplasty, all incisions are made inside of the nostrils. No scarring is visible in this technique, though a surgeon’s ability to adjust bone and cartilage may be limited.
- Open Rhinoplasty – In this form of surgery, an incision is made along the columella, the skin between the nostrils. Scarring is hard to detect given the location of the incision, and surgeons have more control over the surgery.
Potential Risks When Reducing Nose Length
When trying to shorten a long nose, one of the biggest risks that surgeons face is making an adjustment that is too drastic. Ideally one should just remove a little bit from the tip of the nose to reduce the size and length. Too much adjustment of the tip of the nose can lead to unnatural and, frankly, less than desirable results.
Thanks to digital imaging software, modern x-ray technology, and years of practical experience, many surgeons can carefully plan a rhinoplasty to avoid these sorts of problems.
The Results of Rhinoplasty for Nose Shortening
Many patients who undergo nose shortening are pleased with the results. The length and/or projection of the nose is changed, and they feel much better about their overall appearance. The carefully concealed incisions mean that there is generally no evidence they’ve undergone facial plastic surgery.
Learn More About Your Facial Plastic Surgery Options
For more information about changing the shape and size of your nose and what options may be best for you, be sure to contact an experienced plastic surgeon serving the Twin Cities. The team here at Kobienia Plastic Surgery will work with you to develop a custom treatment plan that meets your needs.
