Nose surgery (rhinoplasty) can address multiple concerns about the nasal bridge (dorsum) and nasal tip. It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about your face and/or neck.

The nose is composed of multiple, matching, complexly shaped cartilage pieces and bone. The use of additional cartilage is often required to achieve specific functional or aesthetic goals during nose surgery (rhinoplasty). For example, cartilage can be used to open and strengthen the valves of the nose to improve nasal breathing. It can also be used to change the contours of the nose to achieve a specific aesthetic result. There are four different sources of cartilage used in nose surgery (rhinoplasty) to achieve the functional and aesthetic goals of the operation. It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about your face and/or neck.

A general Otolaryngologist (ENT) is the usually the first person a patient sees when they have difficulty breathing through their nose in Cincinnati, Ohio. There are multiple causes of nasal obstruction. A deviated nasal septum is one possible cause. Repair of a deviated septum can often improve nasal obstruction. However, the cause of nasal obstruction may involve not only the septum but also the cartilage and bones that give the external shape to the nose. It is in those cases that the patient is usually referred to a sub-specialized, fellowship-trained facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about your face and/or neck.

Revision, or secondary, nose surgery (rhinoplasty) is a technically challenging procedure, largely because the previous surgery usually alters the nasal anatomy in unpredictable ways that require creativity and skill to address and correct. There are many reasons why a patient would desire to undergo revision rhinoplasty. In most cases, however, the recovery from a secondary nose surgery is longer and less predictable than with the first surgery. It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have difficulty breathing through your nose and/or concerns about the appearance of your nose after a previous nose surgery.

The term “scarless” rhinoplasty is widely marketed. In reality, all incisions heal in a manner different than untouched skin. Incisions can be well-hidden and so subtle that almost no other individual would notice their presence. They can also be poorly hidden and/or abundantly obvious due to abnormal features. The scarless rhinoplasty is approach that can hide the incisions from the view of the public. It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about your face and/or neck.

Cosmetic nose surgery (rhinoplasty) is one of the most common procedures I perform. Patients who have never undergone nose surgery often request a “smaller” nasal tip. A more refined tip can be delivered with specialized techniques that also preserve the strength and structure of the tip of the nose in most instances.

However, sometimes what individuals perceive as a large or “bulbous” nasal tip is something else entirely. Instead, it is a problem that requires a more complex technique to deliver on their aesthetic goals.

It is important to ground an understanding of why this is sometimes the case by reviewing the anatomy of the nasal tip. The nasal tip is formed primarily by paired cartilages, called lower lateral cartilages, and their ligamentous attachments to each other as well as surrounding cartilage and soft tissue (see image below). The lower lateral cartilages pair up and align at the center. This area of the cartilage is called the medial crura or columella. The cartilages then separate, curving out over the nostrils. This section is called the lateral crura.

It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about your face and/or neck.

The difference(s) between a functional and a cosmetic rhinoplasty is(are) of philosophy and goals, not necessarily of specific surgical maneuvers. A functional rhinoplasty is focused on improving nasal breathing by widening or strengthening the opening of one or both nasal cavities. A cosmetic rhinoplasty may be like a functional rhinoplasty but may also involve maneuvers that narrow or reduce the size of the nose. Most patients desire both functional and cosmetic improvement, demanding a mixed philosophy which informs the surgical approach. Overall, it is important to work towards a natural appearing result that fits each patient’s unique facial features when performing a functional rhinoplasty, cosmetic rhinoplasty, or a rhinoplasty that incorporates both functional and cosmetic goals. An in-person consultation is always necessary to evaluate the nose to determine the most appropriate approach. It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about your face and/or neck.