Rhinoplasty

Q: Dr. Eppley, Congratulations on your great blog first of all particularly on rhinoplasty topics. I have been bothered by the appearance of my nose for quite a long time and it’s the lateral view of it that bothers me the most. I’ve read both online and on your blog about the importance or the radix/nasion in the appearance of the nose and in particular the nasal length. I believe that my nose makes my middle of the face look a bit long regardless of the fact that I have a short chin as well. But I can’t seem to understand if my own nasion is high or low set. Do I just have a dorsal hump ? A low nasion ? Or a combination of both? 

Finally, do you think that some nose tip work would be enough for me if I don’t want to make it obvious that I had surgery? I’m attaching a lateral view image of my nose if you’re willing to do some computer imaging so I can understand what would you have in mind.

Thank you a lot for your time.

A: In looking at your nose the issues are a dorsal hump and a long hanging tip. Simultaneous correction of both nasal shape issues (dorsal hump reduction and tip elevation/rotation) reveals that your radix/nasion is neither too high or too low. The attaching imaging of your predicted rhinoplasty result from the side view reveals this effect.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana