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Woollahra Sydney . Wollongong NSW
What Is Tip Rhinoplasty?
Tip Rhinoplasty is a nose surgery that targets the tip of the nose specifically. It can be considered a modified and less invasive version of the Traditional Rhinoplasty. It has several other names:
- Nasal Tip Reshaping Surgery
- Tipoplasty
- Tip Enhancement Surgery
- Tip Rotation Surgery
- Nose Tip Lift
- Tip Rhino
Tip Reshaping Rhinoplasty is not necessarily an independent procedure. It can be done as a part of a Full Rhinoplasty. Tip Rhinoplasty itself can involve several surgical techniques that all aim to change the way the tip of your nose looks.
Dr Hunt might remove tissue, implant cartilage, shorten the alae (nostrils), or re-adjust your columella (the column between your nostrils). The goal is to reshape the nasal tip. Any combination of these techniques used is considered Tip Rhinoplasty.
Why Patients Opt for Tip Rhinoplasty Surgery?
Tip Rhinoplasty Surgery targets the nasal tip specifically. Areas of the nasal tip that patients might want to address include:
Large
Tip
A large tip is when the tip of the nose is wide, round or box-shaped.
Down-Pointing
Tip
A nose tip that points down is also called down “rotation” of the nasal tip. Nose Tip Rhinoplasty Surgery may help to bring the nasal tip up (usually 90 degrees in men and 100 degrees in women)
Up-Pointing
Tip
This is called an “Upward” rotation of the nasal tip. The aim of surgery is to bring the nose tip down to a more proportionate angle with your upper lip (usually 90 degrees in men and 100 degrees in women)
Over Projected
Tip
An over-projected nasal tip is when the nasal tip is long and projecting
Pointy Nasal
Tip
This is when the nasal tip is narrow and forms a sharp angle at its end. In such cases, a cartilage implant may be needed to give the tip some volume and shape
Round, Large
Tip
A round, large nasal tip is when the tip of your nose is substantial in appearance. This might include a bump between the bridge of your nose and the tip
Tip Reshaping Rhinoplasty can address a wide range of concerns associated with the nasal tip. Although the tip is only a small part of the nose, Tip Rhinoplasty can change the proportions and look of the whole face.
The minimum age to undergo Rhinoplasty or Nasal Tip Surgery is 16 years of age with parental permission and counselling.
Why Choose Tip Rhinoplasty?
Patients may undergo Nasal Tip Rhinoplasty for a variety of reasons. Some common reasons include:
- It is less extensive compared to a Full Rhinoplasty
- Shorter recovery time and fewer symptoms when compared to a Full Rhinoplasty
- May alter the proportions and characteristics of your face
How Is Nasal Tip Surgery Performed?
Nasal Tip Rhinoplasty Surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. This depends on many factors that you can discuss with Dr Hunt and your anaesthetist before surgery.
Depending on your nose, Dr Hunt will either perform an “open approach” or a “closed approach” to address the tip of your nose, make it smaller, bigger, and narrower, etc.
The open approach involves a small incision at the bottom of the columella. Dr Hunt can access deeper structures through this incision to remove more tissue and adjust the tip.
The closed approach, on the other hand, involves only a small inner incision done inside the nose. It gives Dr Hunt less flexibility but might be suitable for patients who don’t need too much tissue manipulation.
Sometimes, Tip Rhinoplasty alone is not enough to achieve the goals of the patient and surgeon. The nostrils (alae), nasal septum, or columella might also require surgery to adjust the shape of your nose.
For example, you may have an over-projecting nasal septum. Hence, Septum Surgery or Full Rhinoplasty might be needed to reduce the size of your nose.
Once Dr Hunt has access to the deeper structures forming your nasal tip, he will do one or more of the following:
- Surgical adjustment: if you are concerned about a large nose tip, Dr Hunt will cut out some of the cartilage to make it narrower. He will shave off any excess tissue from the nose
- Use of surgical tools: he may use a variety of techniques to help achieve the desired result.
- Cartilage implant: if you are concerned about a narrow, small nasal tip, or a pointy nose, then Dr Hunt might need to augment the nasal tip. To do this, he might use a cartilage implant. This is when he takes soft cartilage from your ear and implants it in the tip of the nose to make it larger
After the surgery, Dr Hunt will pack your nose with silicone tubes, and you will be woken up.
Recovery After Nasal Tip Rhinoplasty
As mentioned before, Tip Rhinoplasty, if done alone, is less invasive and extensive when compared to a Full Rhinoplasty Procedure. So, patients typically can expect fewer symptoms and a shorter recovery time. It is important to note that while this is the case, Nasal Tip Rhinoplasty is still a surgical procedure and all surgical procedures require a period of recovery.
In general, most post-op symptoms should reduce significantly by the end of the first week. These include nasal congestion, nose pain, nasal and facial swelling, and bruising around the nose.
You can usually go back to work after 1 week of your Tip Rhinoplasty Surgery. During the first few months after surgery, you should avoid contact and risk sports. Walking and gentle jogging are encouraged.
During your recovery time, you should avoid touching your nose, and avoid smoking and vaping. Make sure you open your mouth when sneezing and use saline solution to clean the nostrils as needed. Dr Hunt will give you specific post-op instructions and aftercare tips after your procedure.
