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Most Common Rhinoplasty Limitations

Rhinoplasty is one of the most frequently requested cosmetic surgery procedures due to its ability to transform not only a patient’s nose, but also the overall appearance of their face

Whether you are hoping to eliminate a bothersome hump, refine your nasal tip, reduce the appearance of a hanging columella, or simply alter the overall size and/or shape of your nose, when performed by an experienced facial plastic surgeon, rhinoplasty can lead to dramatic results. However, as with any procedure, there are some limitations that patients should be aware of before going forward with nose-reshaping surgery.

Nose Harmony With Facial Features

Skin type

Although rhinoplasty can be successfully performed on patients with thick or thin skin, there are potential limitations with each skin type, depending on the goal of the procedure.

While thick skin can be advantageous to patients undergoing rhinoplasty because it can hide any potential irregularities, it can also be difficult to achieve the desired definition or refinement of the nose. Patients with thick skin need to be aware that changes made to refine the underlying structures at the tip may not be visible through the skin. Thick-skinned patients who have soft nasal cartilage present an additional challenge. Dr. Torgerson will discuss these limitations with you as well as alternate techniques to achieve the desired results, such as thinning out the skin or using tip grafts.

In addition, there are advantages and disadvantages that thin-skinned patients should be aware of. Thin skin’s excellent ability to contract means that significant refinement can be achieved with rhinoplasty, providing considerable definition to the nose. However, although it is typically very minor, there is a possibility that cartilage and bone may be seen through thin skin following surgery. To minimize the likelihood of visible irregularities, more conservative surgical techniques are recommended.

Open & Closed Approaches

Twisted cartilage

Although rhinoplasty can successfully improve the appearance of a twisted nose, it cannot completely correct this issue. Patients who are bothered by a twisted nose need to be aware of the limitations of this corrective procedure. Due to the stubborn nature of cartilage, it cannot be completely straightened because it naturally attempts to revert back to its original shape. However, minor changes can significantly improve the appearance of a twisted nose.

Modified nasal anatomy

Patients seeking revision, or secondary rhinoplasty, should be aware that there are a number of physical limitations. As a secondary surgery, revision rhinoplasty is more complicated because the nose has already been altered and some of the nasal cartilage may be depleted. In some instances, this may necessitate the use of cartilage grafts. In addition, the tough scar tissue that is present from the primary procedure means that careful and precise manipulation is required to ensure that the results are seamless. As a result, while minor changes can be made, it is not realistic to expect a dramatic transformation.

During your initial consultation with Dr. Torgerson, he will examine your nose carefully and explain any of your potential limitations to ensure that you are a good candidate for the procedure. It is crucial that your surgeon is upfront and honest about what can be realistically expected so that you will be truly satisfied with your results.

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Rhinoplasty

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