Rhinoplasty

Q: Dr. Eppley, I originally sought rhinoplasty due to great discomfort concerning the projection of my nose.  The tip feels enlarged and out of proportion to the rest of my face as well as deviating to one side.  However, after speaking with a surgeon, I have come to learn that my jaw is retrusive which makes my nose look larger.  I would like to know whether or not you think I would benefit from both jaw and rhinoplasty surgery, or whether you think one or the other would be enough to balance my face.  I have attached some photographs in this email.

A: Thank you for sending your pictures. I think it is quite clear that in looking at them that the short chin/jaw is a far greater contributor to your profile concerns than that of the nose. Like many profile concerns, it is really a ratio of the nose:chin in looking at the deficiency and where the greatest improvement may come from what procedure. In your case I would put it at 80:20, jaw:chin. While chin augmentation will make a major difference, a rhinoplasty where the tip is thinned and a bit shortened will make for an even better result.

In many cases of rhinoplasty, the chin augmentation that may be done with it is complementary to the nose changes. But in your case it is the reverse…the rhinoplasty would be complementary to the chin augmentation.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana