Nose Tip Reshaping RhinoplastyPlastic Surgery in Latham, New York

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Refine With Nose Tip Surgery in the New York Area

One of the more common variance of a nasal deformity and a desire to pursue rhinoplasty is a poorly defined nasal tip and the desire to have a more refined nose tip.

Reshaping at the New York area’s Williams Center can help patients with what they often refer to as a bulbous tip, thick tip, full tip, or a wide tip of the nose. Ideally when a surgeon is advising or counseling a patient, they use the ideal goal of a nose from top to bottom, maintaining a width that is aesthetically pleasing.The light reflex lines maintain the same width, but slightly diverge to the area referred to as the tip-defining point. In a patient who has a bulbous tip, the upper part of the nose may be narrow and the lower part of the nose is very wide and bulbous. Some find that a lack of definition or tip refinement in the lower third of the nose is not aesthetically pleasing in a female patient, and it is for that reason that many women ultimately pursue rhinoplasty for nose tip reshaping.

This first step in the process is to seek a consultation with an experienced specialist who can examine the inside of the nose, the outside of the nose,and the skin thickness—which is important,since some patients have very thick skin that limits the nose tip reshaping achievable by even the most experienced rhinoplasty surgeon.

Side by side before and after of a young woman who had rhinoplasty surgery in Albany, NY. Her nasal hump has been removed and her nose is smaller and straighter. | Albany, Latham, Saratoga NY, Plastic Surgery
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View Before & Afters from Real Patients

Most such surgeons use some sort of cartilage-sculpting techniques to remove cartilage in the area where the tip is very bulbous. This is where experience really matters for nose tip reshaping, since it is critical to not overdo cartilage removal or the attempt at tip refinement, which ultimately results in a very narrow tip and, in most cases, difficulty breathing and/or lack of support to the tip of the nose. A very experienced plastic surgeon will naturally take this into consideration during the nose tip reshaping process.

Many reputable rhinoplasty surgeons will also use computerized imaging in attempt to communicate with the patient their perceived goal for rhinoplasty surgery and what they would like to achieve by nose tip reshaping. Computerized imaging is also helpful in depicting what can be accomplished, but also for articulating to the patient the limitations of the surgery and what can’t be accomplished.

Nose Tip Reshaping FAQs

  • Where Are the Incisions in Nose Tip Reshaping?

    Nasal tip rhinoplasty involves two different approaches, which involve different incisions. These approaches are generally categorized as the open approach or the closed (or endonasal or “scarless”) rhinoplasty, since incisions are not on the outside of the nose.

    Some surgeons believe the open approach to nose tip reshaping allows for a more precisely performed procedure. However, once a surgeon has achieved a higher level of skill, he or she will likely prefer closed approach, as it results in a minimal amount of scarring, quicker healing time, and more successful outcomes.

    Dr. Williams performed open approach rhinoplasty for nearly 10 years before he gained the skill and critical competence required to execute the more complex closed approach. In fact, he now performs closed nose tip reshaping almost exclusively.

    Dr. Williams’ Famous Fireside Chats series titled The Great Debate: Open vs. Closed Rhinoplasty explores these approaches in greater detail.

  • Do You Pack the Nose After Nose Tip Reshaping?

    To avoid unnecessary and uncomfortable heavy dressing or packing of the nose after nose tip reshaping, Dr. Williams prefers a endonasal or scarless approach. He sees no reason to rely on heavy packing to keep the nose in place, when the surgery is expertly performed.

    In the hands of a skilled rhinoplasty surgeon like Dr. Williams, only minimal dressing in each nostril is needed. This can be removed one day after surgery.

    When the outer splint is removed, one week post op, patients are wise to stay away from any activities that could lead to a blow to the nose for up to two weeks.

    In Dr. Williams’ Famous Fireside Chats video, he reveals how dressing and the splint is removed (one week post op) after nose tip reshaping.

  • Will Nose Tip Reshaping Fix Breathing Problems?

    Many patients seeking to correct a nasal tip may also have trouble breathing. This may involve a deviated nasal septum, nasal valves that have narrowed, or a twisted or crooked nose, in addition to the issue with the tip.

    If a patient has difficulty breathing, this may be addressed during a nasal tip-based cosmetic rhinoplasty.

    To learn more, tune in to Dr. Williams’ Famous Fireside Chats on correcting and fixing breathing during a rhinoplasty procedure.

  • The Cost of Nose Tip Reshaping

    The fees for a nasal tip rhinoplasty are contingent on several elements. The first is whether this is the patient’s first time (or primary rhinoplasty) or second or third procedure (called a revision surgery).

    When patients have a less-than-ideal result from a previous nose tip reshaping, they will often seek an additional surgery, which is typically a longer, more problematic procedure—requiring the skills of a highly experienced surgeon.

    Another consideration contributing to costs in nose tip reshaping is where the surgeon will do the procedure. If it’s in a major metropolitan, such as Manhattan, the surgery is likely to be pricier than one performed in a small town or city.

    Finally, a more experienced surgeon increases a patient’s chance of realizing a successful, desirable result. The cost will reflect the surgeon’s experience.

    The cost of nose tip reshaping generally ranges between $7,000 and $14,000, including operating room fees and anesthesia. Refer to Dr. Williams’ Famous Fireside Chats for more on fees regarding rhinoplasty.

  • Contact Lenses or Glasses Following Nose Tip Reshaping

    A splint or cast is placed on the outside of the nose after nose tip reshaping. For patients wearing eyeglasses, this can present a problem. Dr. Williams has found that a small piece of tape can allow the glasses to hang from the forehead as temporary solution.

    As a far as contact lens use, he recommends that patients not wear any for one week after surgery. At this time, the splint is removed and normal contact use can resume.

  • How is Computerized Imaging Used in Nose Tip Reshaping?

    In rhinoplasty surgery to refine the nasal tip, the patient’s images are captured digitally and modified by the surgeon in attempt to reveal the possible outcome.

    Dr. Williams, who has relied on computerized imaging in nose tip reshaping for almost 25 years, finds it extremely effective in describing to clients what he sees and how he will address the patient’s concern. This process involves capturing the patient’s image with a digital camera, then uploading the images to a computer so he can modify them in several ways.

    Dr. Williams’ book, Rhinoplasty: Everything You Need to Know about Fixing and Reshaping Your Nose, covers other FAQs regarding nose tip reshaping, which are also a topic of his Fireside Chats YouTube series.

  • Complications and Risks of Rhinoplasty Refining the Nasal Tip

    Patients who choose an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon will find that complications are quite rare in nose tip reshaping, but possible risks—such as bleeding or infection—will be explained prior to nasal tip surgery.

    However, patients should know revision or touch-up surgery may be required after nasal tip surgery—though this is not common. Only five to 10 percent of nose tip reshaping patients will have such a procedure, which is considered a minor one and is usually performed in the office. Nasal tip surgery is not a uniformly perfect surgical procedure. Even in the hands of a well-respected surgeon, there must be a blend of gifted and practiced ability applied to a patient’s unique anatomy to produce a successful and satisfactory result.

    When clear communication has not adequately occurred between patient and surgeon, there is a chance that the nose tip reshaping patient will be unhappy, as their expectations may not have been met. A reputable surgeon should fully explain what can be realistically achieved in surgery refining the nasal tip.

    More information on complications following rhinoplasty is available on Dr. Williams’ Famous Fireside Chats.

  • Anesthesia in Nose Tip Reshaping

    Nose tip reshaping is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, allowing the patient to go home after surgery.

    Local anesthesia is used along with twilight or general anesthesia based on the preference of the surgeon and patients who generally like to be “out” during surgery. All anesthesia options are conducted by a credentialed and experienced anesthesia provider.

    More information on nose tip reshaping can be found in Dr. Williams’ Famous Fireside Chat on Anesthesia for Rhinoplasty.

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