Rhinoplasty: Cost, Pics, Reviews, Q&A

Droopy tip rhinoplasty for shaping the end of the nose

Rhinoplasty is the term given for any surgical manipulation of the entire nose. There are different areas of the nose that may need manipulation or contouring.

The bridge of the nose, the nostrils, and the tip or end of your nose are the most common areas to be treated in rhinoplasty surgery.

Droopy tip rhinoplasty refers to the delicate maneuvers that are performed to shape the end of your nose, which often requires either fine suturing, cutting and shaping of the cartilage framework, adding cartilage to the tip for further refinement or a combination of all these maneuvers. (Kristina Tansavatdi, MD, Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon)

Droopy tip rhinoplasty vs. Complete Rhinoplasty

The term “tip” is generally used to indicate the lower 1/3 of the nose, where the cartilages make the nostrils and front of the nose.

A “tip-rhinoplasty” is a term for a procedure where the tip cartilages are modified or rotated, but the rest of the nose is not changed.

A complete rhinoplasty will address the dorsum (top of the nose) as well as the nasal bones (in the upper 1/3).

For patients with a straight nose but an overly round or droopy tip, a “droopy tip rhinoplasty” may be a great option. (Evan Ransom, MD, Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon)

Droopy tip rhinoplasty Involves Soft Tissue & Cartilage, Not the Nasal Bones

Droopy tip rhinoplasty image

Droopy tip rhinoplasty is a commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure. It’s indicated when the patient’s deformity is confined to the lower one third of the nose. In this area, the structures involved consist entirely of soft tissue and cartilage.

The nasal bones are not involved and because of this, there is no need to fracture them. Droopy tip rhinoplasty corrects a variety of deformities that involve the nasal tip. Examples include bulbous tips, wide tips, tips that lack projection, and tips that have too much projection.

Typical deformities are addressed by suturing techniques, removal of excess cartilage, and augmentation of cartilage with cartilage grafts. These maneuvers can significantly impact the appearance of the nasal tips. Careful analysis of the nose is essential before proceeding with this procedure.

Droopy tip rhinoplasty operation

It’s important to make sure that the upper portion of the nose doesn’t require intervention before proceeding. Harmony, proportion, and balance with the surrounding facial structures are necessary for an optimal result. Since fracture of the nasal bones is not necessary with tip rhinoplasty, there is less-bruising and swelling.

For these reasons, recovery is less eventful and takes shorter periods of time. There is also less pain following surgery. Tip rhinoplasty is associated with high satisfaction rates. (Richard J. Bruneteau, MD, Omaha Plastic Surgeon)

Droopy tip rhinoplasty vs Regular Rhinoplasty

Droopy tip rhinoplasty refers to a rhinoplasty focusing on the tip. Typical complaints include wide tip, tip that is too big, tip that is droopy, tip that is too high, etc.

Droopy tip rhinoplasty surgery

Droopy tip rhinoplasty I perform is without a visible incision and offers all of the advantages but without the scar of the open rhinoplasty. (Kenneth B. Hughes, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)

Droopy tip rhinoplasty refers to modifying the tip of the nose only, without changing the upper part of the nose. The nose does not need to be broken, so there is no post-operative bruising, and recovery is easier, but the changes are limited to the tip. (Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)

Droopy tip rhinoplasty vs Full Rhinoplasty

The nose is broken down into several anatomic areas which are individually evaluated when performing a rhinoplasty;

Droopy tip rhinoplasty recovery

Namely: the proximal two thirds which are the bony cartilaginous framework the distal third which the tip is and tip cartilage In most cases of cosmetic rhinoplasty, both aspects of the nose are addressed. But there are, of course, noses whose abnormalities are limited to just the nasal tip area. If the nasal dorsum is straight and not overly wide and has a normal slope, it is possible in those cases to confine the surgery to correcting any abnormalities to the tip itself and leave the remainder of the nose undisturbed. Even in these cases, dramatic improvement can be achieved with a quicker recovery time since fracturing of the nasal bone and splinting does not occur. There is less discomfort and minimal bruising. So in a nutshell, a droopy tip rhinoplasty is simply a rhinoplasty where the surgical manipulation of the nose is limited to just to the tip. See link below for before & after photos of a rhinoplasty case that involved quite a bit of tip work. (William F. DeLuca Jr, MD, Albany Plastic Surgeon)