Wide Nose Rhinoplasty (Nose Jobs for Wide Noses): A Complete Guide

Interested in getting a wide nose rhinoplasty? Wondering if it is possible to fix a wide nose with a nose job? This complete guide will tell you everything you need to know about wide nose rhinoplasty. 

Having a balanced, well-proportioned face is an important part of looking and feeling attractive. Your nose is the most prominent and central of your facial features. So it’s normal to want to have your nose appearance reshaped or reduced to improve the aesthetic balance of your face. That’s why rhinoplasty is one of the most popular kinds of cosmetic surgery.

People may not find their noses aesthetically pleasing for a lot of reasons. Some cases of wide noses are genetic and more common among certain ethnic groups. A short nasal bridge could also make a nose look wider. An accident may have changed the shape of their nose, or a previous rhinoplasty could have caused the nose to look wider. 

No matter the reason for a wide nose, there are many options to fix it using reduction rhinoplasty surgery.  

rhinoplasty healing timeline
Before and After Rhinoplasty

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What Is Rhinoplasty? 

Rhinoplasty is a branch of cosmetic surgery specialized in changing the shape and size of someone’s nose. The goal is often to improve the symmetry and proportion of the nose with the rest of the face. 

Nose jobs for wide noses are just one of the many ways to improve your face’s aesthetic with rhinoplasty. Common rhinoplasty surgeries include: 

  • Reducing the overall size of a large nose 
  • Narrowing the nose with a wide nose job 
  • Straightening or smoothing bumps on a nose 
  • Reduction rhinoplasty to shorten a nasal tip
  • Nose tip surgery to reduce a bulbous nasal tip 
  • Fixing nose symmetry after an injury 
  • Opening up nasal passages to fix breathing problems 

With a skilled surgeon performing the right kind of wide nose rhinoplasty, there can be a huge positive impact on a patient’s life. Reshaping and resizing the nose can improve appearance overall, especially when the results look natural — like it’s the nose they were born with. 

The rest of this guide will explain the different options for wide nose rhinoplasty and how to choose the right surgeon for the job. 

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Why Get Rhinoplasty? 

Many of us have parts of our bodies we dislike. For some, it’s their stomach and midsection. For many women, it’s their breasts. Either way, some individuals turn to cosmetic surgery to fix or change the appearance of these problem areas. 

Rhinoplasty ranks among the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the United States. Nearly 220,000 rhinoplasties are performed annually, making it the most common facial plastic surgery procedure. 

Rhinoplasty can treat a variety of cosmetic nasal issues, such as:

  • Nose size in relation to facial balance
  • Nose width at the bridge or in the size and position of the nostrils
  • Nose profile with visible humps or depressions on the bridge
  • Nasal tip that is enlarged or bulbous, drooping, upturned, or hooked
  • Large, upturned, or wide nostrils
  • Nasal asymmetry 

As the American Society of Plastic Surgeons notes, the focus of rhinoplasty is moving toward things like fixing a crooked nose, removing humps in the nasal bridge, and fixing asymmetry while still maintaining a person’s ethnic identity.  By reshaping the nasal structures, including bone, cartilage, and skin, a cosmetic surgeon can help achieve one or more of the following:

  • Straighten a crooked nose
  • Smooth a prominent bump in the bridge of the nose
  • Reduce the length of an over-protruding nasal tip
  • Refine the size of a bulbous nasal tip
  • Narrow a nose that is too wide for the face
  • Reduce the size of a nose that is too large
  • Restore symmetry to the nose following injury
  • Correct breathing problems by opening up blocked nasal passages/fix a deviated septum

Types of Nose Jobs for Wide Nose Shapes

There are lots of different ways to approach a nose job for a wide nose. The best wide nose rhinoplasty will depend on the nature of the changes you want to be made to your nasal anatomy and potentially other facial features. You can work together with your surgeon to choose a facial surgery procedure that is minimally invasive while achieving the desired results. 

Here are a few of the main types of nose jobs for wide noses: 

Wide Nose Rhinoplasty: Changing the Upper Nasal Bones to Alter the Nose Shape (Osteotomy)

The shape of the nose is largely determined by nasal bones and cartilage. In most cases, it’s necessary to change the nasal bone structure at the top of the nose in order to fix a wide nose. Wide nose surgery involves breaking this nasal bone structure into smaller pieces that a surgeon can move around. 

The process of breaking the upper nasal bones to narrow the nasal bridge is called an osteotomy

osteotomy-vida-wellness

Open vs Closed Wide Nose Surgery

There are two main approaches to nose jobs for wide nose: an open or closed rhinoplasty. A closed rhinoplasty involves making incisions inside the nostril. An open rhinoplasty involves making an incision (or incisions) between the nostrils, under the tip of the nose. Each approach has its own benefits.

Closed Rhinoplasty

A closed rhinoplasty: 

  • Is preferable for noses that need only minor restructuring, 
  • Leaves little visible scarring after surgery,
  • Limits the changes a surgeon can make with a single incision.
open rhinoplasty
Open Rhinoplasty

An open rhinoplasty: 

  • Is preferable for noses that need major restructuring,
  • Offers surgeons greater access to nasal bones/nasal bridge, 
  • Leaves little visible scarring because the incisions are hidden in the natural contours of the nose. 

Bulbous Nose Job/Reshaping the Nasal Tip (Tiplasty)

A tiplasty is a type of nose job for a wide bulbous nose that focuses on reshaping the tip only. This is often called a “bulbous nose job” because it involves reshaping a bulbous nasal shape after rhinoplasty. 

types-of-nose-tips-wide-nose-surgery

It’s common for people who have a nose with a bulbous tip to undergo tiplasty to create a better-shaped nose tip to complement their other facial features. Some common causes of a bulbous or round tip are: 

  • Excessive cartilage 
  • Excessive spring to the nose cartilage 
  • Excessive spacing between cartilages 
  • Poor cartilage definition 
  • Thick skin around the nasal tip  

In some cases, a nose can also be too wide at the tip. Due to genetic factors, members of certain ethnic groups are more likely to have a bulbous or wide tip of the nose. 

A wide or bulbous nose or nasal tip can be fixed easily with tiplasty, a minimally invasive procedure. Reducing the size of the nostrils and/or the nose tip can improve appearance and self-esteem immensely. Like with normal wide nose rhinoplasty, surgeons can use an open or closed approach to a bulbous nose job. 

A tiplasty may just be one aspect of a wide nose rhinoplasty procedure. Discussing options with your surgeon will help you decide what your unique needs are before moving forward with a wide nose rhinoplasty. 

Non-Surgical Nose Jobs

Lots of people are interested in having a non-surgical nose job for a wide nose. Fixing a wide nose or bulbous nose tip without facial surgery is appealing if you can avoid an invasive procedure.

However, surgical solutions to wide noses are really not as invasive as you might think. Wide nose rhinoplasty is one of the least invasive types of surgeries out there. Professional surgeons have also developed effective strategies to minimize the size and number of incisions to achieve desired results. 

While there are some non-surgical nose job options out there, none are permanent solutions. For example, dermal fillers can help reshape the nasal tip and improve overall symmetry. This involves injecting filler into the nose at key areas by a professional surgeon.

nonsurgical_nosejob_dr_castaneda

The cosmetic improvements of dermal fillers only last up to a year. So you’ll have to either continue to have the procedure or eventually decide to opt for a surgical nose job for a wide nose. Non-surgical nose job options are a great, affordable way to test out making changes to your nose before investing in a permanent solution. 

The Nose Job Recovery Process 

Typically, wide nose rhinoplasty isn’t a very invasive surgery. Most cases require an outpatient procedure with only general anesthesia, however, some require sedation and local anesthesia. After the procedure, your nose may be placed in a nasal cast with packing inside your nostrils to help it heal properly. Usually the nasal packaging can be removed within a week or less. You’ll also be given medication to manage pain and discomfort. (Read more in our Rhinoplasty Recovery Guide here)

 

You should remain in close contact with your surgeon after your surgery. A quality surgeon will have a plan and process laid out for post-operative checkups and care. If they don’t seem to have a plan for individual care post-op, then it’s not a good sign. It’s best to look for a surgeon that has a clear plan. 

After the cast or splint is removed, your surgeon will likely prescribe nasal exercises to promote the proper healing of your nose. Doing all prescribed exercises during this time is incredibly important for a successful wide nose job.

Give Your New Nose Time

The wide nose rhinoplasty recovery process can take several weeks. You may experience pain, swelling, and bruising during the first 1 to 2 weeks. It might not be easy to see improvements in your nose at this time. But with a little patience, swelling will reduce and your nose will start to look different. You should also start feeling better and can get back to your normal routine. 

You’ll want to limit activity for a while to promote proper healing. Avoid any activities that involve contact with your nose for 2 to 3 weeks. For best results, follow your surgeon’s specific instructions to avoid certain activities after surgery. 

Pain will subside and your nose should start to look the way you imagined within a couple weeks after surgery. However, it is possible to have some slight swelling for up to a year. This is usually very subtle and not noticeable to other people.

Other than residual swelling, the changes you see in your nose in the months after surgery are permanent. Your new nose will retain the same shape and appearance for the rest of your life unless you undergo cosmetic surgery again. That’s why it’s incredibly important to work with a qualified surgeon who delivers the results you want on the first go. 

How to Choose the Right Surgeon for a Wide Nose Job 

To get the best results with a nose job for a wide nose, it’s important to work with the right surgeon. The right surgeon can help you identify which procedures are best for your specific nose and how you want to look. Some surgeons are also more or less skilled performing different kinds of cosmetic surgery. 

Here are a few tips to make sure you choose the right surgeon for a wide nose job: 

Consider Skills Before Price 

How much is a nose job? That’s the first thing that goes through most peoples’ heads when considering wide nose rhinoplasty. The price of a nose job for a wide nose can vary considerably, based on the kind of procedure you need and how much a surgeon charges. 

Lots of people feel compelled to shop around for the most affordable surgeon. But often the cheapest nose job isn’t the best option. You’re trusting someone to make permanent changes to the structure of your face. Saving a bit of money is a lot less important than finding and working with a surgeon that’s best for the job. 

(Check out some of the qualifications of our Doctors at Vida)

So instead of focusing on price, find a surgeon who has the right skills and experience to perform a nose job for a wide nose. Working with someone who has successfully fixed many noses like yours gives you more confidence that the procedure will result in the new look you want. 

Look at Wide Nose Job Before and After Photos

How can you know if a surgeon is skilled enough to fix your wide nose and achieve a smaller nose shape? They should be able to show you many photos of previous patients before and after a wide nose job. Most surgeons share wide nose rhinoplasty before and after photos on their website. If they don’t, you can also ask to see examples of their past surgeries in consultation. 

Look for other patients whose noses had similar problems as yours, such as a bulbous or round tip. See how their after photos turned out after the surgery. You should be able to see the front and side facing nose job before and after photos to see whether the procedure made their nose smaller or achieved the ideal shape. 

Vida Wellness and Beauty Center has an extensive gallery of many wide nose rhinoplasties with before and after photos you can browse.rhinoplasty before and after photos

Discuss Your Needs With Them 

Lastly, and most importantly, you should discuss your unique needs with a surgeon before deciding to work together. You may have an idea of what kind of changes you want to make to your nose. A skilled surgeon can suggest the right procedures based on this. 

After consulting with a potential surgeon, you should walk away feeling confident they can improve your nose appearance with wide nose rhinoplasty. If you don’t feel confident, then either they’re not the right surgeon for you, or you’re not ready for cosmetic surgery yet. 

Summary 

A nose job for a wide nose is a life-changing procedure. There are numerous benefits to investing in wide nose rhinoplasty procedure if you work with the right surgeon to create the perfect nose for your face. To ensure a nose job is a positive experience for you, refer to the tips in this guide to finding the right surgeon. Schedule a wide nose rhinoplasty consultation to discuss your needs with them thoroughly so you know what to expect going forward. 

Vida Wellness and Beauty offers numerous plastic and cosmetic surgery services, including a specialization in fixing wide noses. 

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More Information About Rhinoplasty

Dr. Juan Carlos Fuentes

Dr. Juan Carlos Fuentes, MD Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon practicing at VIDA clinic Tijuana. Dr. Fuentes served as Chief of Residents in Plastic Surgery in Guadalajara. His postgraduate fellowship training was also completed at the University of California at Irvine and at Texas University. Specializes in Facial Rejuvenation, Rhinoplasty, Botox & Facial Fillers, Brow Lift, Blepharoplasty, Facial Enhancement and more. He is a member of the Mexican Association of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery (A.M.C.P.E.R.), American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (A.S.A.P.S.), San Diego International Plastic Surgery Society, Tijuana Medical Association, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (I.S.A.P.S.) and The Rhinoplasty Society.