Category Archives: Plastic Surgery

Alar adjustment is a surgical procedure that reduces wide or flared nostrils. The nostrils’ outer edges are known as the ala.

Alar adjustment is typically undertaken with nasal width reduction. In this procedure, the surgeon will excise a portion of tissue to change the level of tension in order to address the excessive width in the nostrils.

A specialized alar adjustment technique involving a particular type of incision is known as the Weir technique. In this procedure, the surgeon removes tissues to create a wedge-shaped cavity. They will then suture it to develop optimal contours.

Quality of Life Affected

Some ethnic patients are more likely to have wide nostrils along with a nasal flare. This nose structure is commonly seen in African American candidates. Certain patients believe that wide and/or flared nostrils can take attention away from other characteristics of the face. This can adversely impact the confidence and self-image of the patient.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim provides rhinoplasty to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and surrounding locations.

Procedure

The surgeon will perform a procedure known as alarplasty to remove a wedge of tissue from the sides of the nostrils near the junction with the cheek. The wedge base will be at the same level as the alar rims while the pointed apex will be near the sides where the nose attaches to the cheek groove.

The width of the nostrils will determine the amount of tissue excision. Many patients and plastic surgeons measure the change in mm narrowing on the frontal view. But this can be difficult as the wedge size that has been excised does not correctly reflect the frontal narrowing distance.

The surgeon will ask the patient to specify whether they want a minor, medium, or significant change. A majority of patients require a medium change. While it is easy to remove more tissue if the patient feels that the nostrils are still too wide after the procedure, the removal of an excessive amount of tissue is challenging to reverse.

Some rhinoplasty surgeons use a suturing technique to draw the walls in medially. This approach may lead to tissue bunching. Other surgeons create incisions only inside the nostrils fearing scar development from placing the incisions on the outside.

However, this approach does not offer the patient dramatic results. In the hands of an experienced surgeon, incisions on the outside of the nose heal well and remain hidden adjacent to the alar groove. The surgeon will place this incision in the area where the nostrils link to the cheeks. This helps the scar remain inconspicuous in the natural creases between these areas.  

Alarplasty (nostril narrowing) can be effectively undertaken by itself without the need to perform a full rhinoplasty, and this procedure offers dramatic changes.

After the Surgery

During the initial few days after the surgery, the patient will experience some swelling and puffiness as well as pain and discomfort in the nose area. The pain will resolve in two to three days, but the swelling will take a longer time to subside.

Minor bleeding in the incision sites is normal during the early recovery phase. The bleeding usually resolves in two days. The inflammation in the face will begin to subside in around a week after the procedure and should be fully resolved in two weeks.

Around the third day of the recovery period, the patient will return to the office to have their bandages taken out. The sutures will be removed at the end of the first week.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and nearby areas for rhinoplasty.

Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.

The nostril and nose tip form a triangle called the pyriform aperture when the nose is seen from beneath. To reduce the width of the nasal tip, a surgeon will make adjustments to the pyriform aperture.

A rhinoplasty surgeon can make the nose narrower by creating steeper angles in this triangle at the point where the nostrils attach to the face.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim provides rhinoplasty to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and surrounding communities.

Nasal Base Reduction

Nasal base reduction refers to a rhinoplasty technique that decreases the width of the nose base when it is excessively broad in comparison to other characteristics of the face. Nasal base reduction is a routine part of rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty in some variation.

In ethnic rhinoplasty procedures, the reduction of the nasal base is even more common. Nose reshaping surgery candidates of Asian, African American, and Middle Eastern descent usually require nasal base reduction. People from these ethnicities typically have a wider nose base which may need reduction to improve the nose appearance.

A large number of patients considering rhinoplasty or revision rhinoplasty complain of an excessively broad nose or a nose that is too wide at the base. The nose base is usually measured from the outer margin of one nostril to the outer margin of the other.

Ideally, the width of the nose base should not be more than the distance between the eyes. If an imaginary line ran vertically down from either eye corner (inner canthus), the nose base should fall between these two lines.

But this is the cosmetic ideal for a Caucasian nose, and this standard may be unsuitable for ethnic rhinoplasty patients. Most ethnic rhinoplasty patients will attain optimal outcomes if the nasal base is slightly wider than this ideal measurement.

Anatomy Involved In Nasal Base Reduction

The surgeon must have an in-depth knowledge of the structure of the nose base region to determine a specific surgical treatment to meet the needs of an individual patient. The columella is the column-like structure found in the middle of the nasal base.

The columella bifurcates the nostrils into left and right sides. Alar base insertion is the portion of the nostril side wall that attaches to the upper lip and cheek point. The nasal sill area is the region that lies between the columella and the alar base insertion.

A Wide Sill Area

Certain rhinoplasty candidates with a broad nose base tend to have a wide sill area that gives the nose extra width. A broad sill could lead to a more horizontal type nostril shape, which is a common occurrence in patients with a wide nose sill.

Expectations after Reduction Rhinoplasty Surgery

The recovery period and strategies for reduction rhinoplasty are the same as those for any other rhinoplasty procedures. The patent will experience swelling and discomfort for a number of days following the nose surgery, and the surrounding tissues will gradually heal.

The bruising and swelling will subside slowly as the area heals. The results of the rhinoplasty will establish over time, and the patient can gradually return to their routine activities after the recovery period.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and nearby areas for rhinoplasty.

Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.

The nasolabial angle comprises two lines which are obvious when viewing the face in profile. The first line extends from the nose tip to the area above the upper lip. The second line runs from the upper lip to the bottom of the nose where the nostrils divide.

The rotation of the nose tip and nose projection affects the degree of the nasolabial angle. The surgeon will try to develop a 90- to 95-degree nasolabial angle in males and a 100- to 105-degree angle in females for most patients. They can adjust the projection and rotation of the nose to refine this angle.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim provides rhinoplasty to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and surrounding locations.

Adjusting the CLA

The columella-labial angle (CLA) is an important metric to be evaluated in nose reshaping surgery patients to accomplish beautiful results.

An increase in this angle may lead to an upward tilt of the nasal base along with an associated reduction in the length of the nose. The differences in nasal anatomies often cause this aspect to be overlooked leading to undesirable results.  

The columella and upper lip share a complex relationship. It is difficult to maintain a particular angle in nose surgery patients, and surgeons use various methods such as making adjustments to the nasal cartilage, suturing techniques, and cartilage grafts to stabilize this angle.

The shape of the columella depends on the caudal septum, nasal spine, and medial crura of the lower lateral cartilage. Therefore, these factors contribute to determining the CLA.

From a cosmetically appealing standpoint, the most appropriate angle is 100- to 105-degree in women and 90- to 95-degree in men on profile view. The normal columellar display is between 2 mm and 4mm. A substantial hanging columella can significantly impact the appearance of the nose.

Tent Pole Grafting

The ‘tent pole graft’ is an innovative technique used to define and preserve the CLA. This graft works in a similar manner to the septo-columellar interpositional grafts.

But this technique does not require the dissection or delineation of the upper cartilages from the septum to place the grafts. The tent pole graft is used in difficult revision surgeries and in patients whose nasal tip projections require a significant increase.

In this technique, the surgeon fixes a piece of cartilage to the columellar strut in the most appropriate position. Subsequently, they determine the optimal angle by attaching the posterior end of the graft temporarily with a needle to the supratip cartilaginous dorsum.

After determining the desired angle, the surgeon sutures the graft to the dorsum. This graft allows an extensive columellar strut to remain stable and prevents the tip from falling back. The tent pole graft technique helps maintain the nasal tip as well as allows the development of the desired CLA.

This technique is suitable for challenging revision rhinoplasty cases. On top of this, patients who undergo tip or columella lengthening and those who require nasal length preservation due to a short nose can benefit from this technique as well. The surgeon can maneuver the graft to adjust the nasolabial or CLA angle easily.   

In case it is not possible to place the septal extension graft or very difficult to fix it, this technique is especially useful. For example, it can be useful for patients with a mild to moderate short nose.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and nearby areas for rhinoplasty.

Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.

Nose projection is the distance that it protrudes outwards from the point where it connects the upper lip to its tip. If the tip protrudes excessively, it can affect the overall appearance of the nose significantly.

A nose that is under-projected, on the other hand, appears too shallow causing it to look too small in comparison to other features of the face.

A nose surgeon can trim away a portion of the cartilage at the nasal tip to decrease its projection. To increase the nasal projection, the surgeon may separate and realign the cartilage of the nose. They will move it forward and suture it into a refined position. If the cartilage in the nasal tip is insufficient, the surgeon may use a cartilage graft to build it up.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim provides rhinoplasty to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and surrounding locations.

Correcting an Over Projected Nose

Individuals with over projected noses can receive corrective cosmetic surgery involving trimming of the cartilage at the nasal tip. The surgery moves the nasal tip back to offer it a more attractive appearance. This is also called nasal de-projection or retro-displacement.

Addressing an Under Projected Nose

To re-project a nose which is under-projected, the surgeon will need to extend the nose cartilage. This can be achieved via two approaches depending on the nose structure.

The first technique involves shaving away the nose cartilage and stitching it up again to achieve a better nasal projection.

The second technique involves the surgeon sourcing a cartilage graft from another area of the body which has sufficient cartilage availability and using it to enhance the nose projection. The cartilage graft is usually taken from the nasal septum in primary rhinoplasty. The surgeon may also source cartilage from the ribs or ears if necessary.

Types of Cartilage Grafts

According to the location and method of cartilage graft use, they may be known as columellar struts, which are used to provide support to the columella that divides the nostrils. If the patient is undergoing revision rhinoplasty, there may be insufficient septum cartilage. The surgeon will typically take bone from the rib cage for the cartilage graft in such cases.

The elasticity of ear cartilage helps it offer support to the nose tip. In general, a cartilage transplant from the ear will be thicker compared to cartilage from the septum. But the result could be a nose tip that feels more natural rather than one that his solid and rigid due to the elasticity.

If the patient requires cartilage for primary rhinoplasty plastic surgery, rib or costal cartilage is also considered to be a viable option. Septal or ear cartilage is generally used in nose tip refinement. But at times, the surgeon may use rib cartilage.

Considerations for Male Patients

Male patients may be concerned that a nose projection surgery may make their nose appear too feminine. However, an experienced and skilled surgeon can make sure that they preserve the masculinity of the nose while simultaneously improving the nose projection.

A nose projection surgeon can effectively improve the shape of the nose while preserving it masculine characteristics for men who do not seek a “full” rhinoplasty. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and nearby areas for rhinoplasty.
Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.

If the nasal tip lacks proper rotation, it means that the tip lacks definition or is overly defined. Rotation refers to the upward or downward turn of the nose tip. The nose surgeon will modify the nasal tip by reshaping cartilage.

In this procedure, the surgeon pays close attention to the nose base as this affects the rotation and tension. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim provides rhinoplasty to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and surrounding communities.

What is Nose Tip Rhinoplasty?

Nasal tip rhinoplasty is a cosmetic surgery performed on the lower third portion of the nose. Since operating on the nose tip is a delicate procedure, the surgeon should be highly skilled and experienced in nose surgeries, and have an in-depth understanding of the nasal anatomy.

Nasal tip refinement is not always performed as a cosmetic procedure. In some cases, the patient may require this procedure as a medical necessity. For example, at times, the patient may experience breathing problems due to an abnormally-shaped nasal tip either when they sleep (leading to snoring and other issues) or in their daily life.

A sinus infection can also result from an abnormal nose tip. At times, patients may experience speech impediments due to their abnormal nose tip.

Reasons to Undergo Nasal Tip Refinement

Patients choose to undergo nasal tip refinement for multiple reasons. But it is most commonly undertaken to correct a fuller or “bulbous” nasal tip. Certain patients may feel that their natural nose structure is unattractive if the nose sags at the tip or appears “hooked” or upturned.

A nasal tip refinement plastic surgery procedure can impact the overall nasal and facial appearance as the surgery usually creates the effect of a slimmer looking face.

Wide Tip Correction

A wide or bulbous nose usually occurs due to a combination of thick nasal skin and substantial nasal domes that are spaced apart widely. The nasal domes refer to the tip defining points of the tip cartilage. A thick ligament or fat divides the nasal domes in many cases.

The plastic surgeon will need to operate on the soft tissue and shift the domes closer to address this condition. For patients with thick skin, the surgeon may place a graft on the nasal tip itself. This technique offers a better nasal tip definition.

The surgeon can also make the nasal tip narrow by shaving off or tweaking the cartilage structure underneath the skin.

Less Invasive Procedure

The nasal tip refinement surgery is much less invasive than a complete rhinoplasty. A rhinoplasty usually involves substantial changes to the inner structure of the nose, which may involve fracturing bones as well leading to a longer recovery period.

However, tip refinement typically involves the placement of two to three incisions to provide the surgeon access to the underlying cartilage in that region. The surgeon will close the incisions after reshaping the nose. Nasal tip refinement generally involves a relatively shorter recovery period.

When a tip refinement surgery is appropriate for a patient’s unique anatomical objectives, it usually offers an effective alternative to a “complete” rhinoplasty procedure.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and nearby areas for rhinoplasty.
Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.

If a person’s nose is shifted to one side or is slightly crooked, they can undergo a rhinoplasty cosmetic surgery procedure to straighten it where the surgeon eliminates some cartilage or bone or moves the tissue physically.

In addition, the nose surgeon may place a splint to hold the nose in position as it heals, similar to the placement of a splint in case of a fractured nose after functional rhinoplasty.

More than a Cosmetic Issue

The degree of nose crookedness depends on the reason behind it. Most crooked noses are merely a cosmetic problem. But in some cases, it can also cause breathing issues.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim provides rhinoplasty to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and surrounding communities.

What causes a Nose to become Crooked?

There are two main types of crooked noses. The first type occurs because of a problem within the complex nasal system of bones, cartilage, and tissue.

This occurs due to various causes, including:

• Birth defects
• Injuries, such as a fractured nose
• Severe infections
• Tumors
• Nose surgery

The reason for the crookedness will determine if the nose will be I, S, or C-shaped.

The second type of nose crookedness occurs due to a deviated septum. The septum is the internal wall that divides the nose into two identical passageways. A deviated septum causes this wall to lean to one side which partially blocks one airway. While some people are born with a deviated septum, in others it develops after an injury in others.

Apart from making the nose appear crooked, a deviated septum can also cause:

• Loud breathing
• Nosebleeds
• Issues in sleeping on one side

Consulting a qualified physician to determine the reason for a crooked nose can also help identify the most suitable treatment option for the patient.

Surgical Treatment

While dermal fillers can help straighten a slightly crooked nose, more severe cases will usually need surgery. Rhinoplasty plastic surgery helps address the cosmetic issues of the nose, and septoplasty helps straighten the wall that bifurcates the inside of the nose into two parts.  

Rhinoplasty

The two types of nose surgeries are cosmetic rhinoplasty and functional rhinoplasty. The only focus of cosmetic rhinoplasty is to enhance the appearance of the nose while functional rhinoplasty corrects breathing issues.

According to a 2015 study, irrespective of the technique employed, rhinoplasty can successfully straighten crooked noses in patients with or without facial symmetry. Facial symmetry is the similar appearance of both halves of the face.

Septoplasty

Septoplasty helps straighten a crooked nose by reshaping the wall between the nasal passageways. If the patient has a crooked nose due to a deviated septum, the surgeon will likely recommend septoplasty to them. This surgery can straighten the nose while relieving nasal passageway obstructions because of a deviated septum.

The Bottom Line

A crooked nose is a commonly occurring condition which develops due to a past injury or a deviated septum. Around 80 percent of individuals have some form of a deviated septum. The patient should choose an appropriate treatment if their crooked nose is leading to breathing issues or significant cosmetic problems.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and nearby areas for rhinoplasty.

Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.

As part of a rhinoplasty procedure, the surgeon may have to reduce a dorsal hump or bump on the nasal bridge. This condition also has a variation which causes the illusion of a significant bump, called the low radix or pseudo-hump.

The radix is the upper bony part of the nose. The radix and underlying cartilage may be substantial. This leads to the appearance of a bump. If the radix is shallow, it can cause a depression or a bump on the nasal bridge. The surgeon can reduce the size of the radix by carefully shaving away small portions.

The surgeon may use the patient’s own cartilage taken from another area of the nose to add volume to a depressed nasal site. Adding volume to the area right above the radix allows the surgeon to create a straighter slope.

Proper management of the radix is essential to provide the nose a natural appearance. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim provides rhinoplasty to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and surrounding locations.

Pseudo-Hump

A pseudo-hump refers to a nose in which the radix is not properly developed and under-projects. This leads to a facial profile in which the tissue beneath the radix (towards the nose tip) appears fuller than it actually is. If the bone of the radix does not project the overlying soft tissue properly, it causes the creation of a pseudo-hump.

Treating an Underdeveloped and Low Radix

Rhinoplasty with radix tissue grafting is the most appropriate cosmetic surgery procedure to correct an under-projected radix. A radix graft may consist of cartilage, fascia, or other soft tissue.

It is typically created from a carved piece of cartilage, usually sourced from the septum. Subsequently, the surgeon will place this graft beneath the nasal skin and muscle where it remains hidden appropriately.

The surgeon will address the bony structure deficit by placing the cartilage graft over the bone where it will raise the depressed soft tissue. This procedure offers a much straighter profile to the patient without the need to remove any cartilage or underlying bone beneath the radix.

Can you have Weak Radix and a True Hump?

A patient can have both an under-developed radix and a true hump. The benefit of addressing these problems together is that the surgeon can undertake a more conservative approach to removing the hump.

The most appropriate profile line is brought nearer to the hump as the position of the radix is raised. As a result, the surgeon will have to eliminate a lesser portion of the hump to develop a straighter profile. The result of this procedure also appears more natural because of the presence of a stronger nasal starting point.

Radix Correction as Part of Revision Rhinoplasty

The angle between the frontal and nasal bones determines the height of the radix. This height should ideally be proportionate to the dorsal height, length, and nasal tip projection to develop harmonious and more balanced outcomes.

If the radix remains too high, or if the radix graft used during the procedure is too substantial, the nose will have a Romanesque appearance after the surgery. Revision rhinoplasty involves reducing the radix to its ideal proportions relative to the overall facial shape and other nasal aspects.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and nearby areas for rhinoplasty.
Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.

Depending on the unique needs of the patient, the surgeon will perform a suitable rhinoplasty cosmetic surgery. At the time of the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will evaluate the patient as a candidate for this procedure.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim provides rhinoplasty to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and surrounding communities.

Reduction Rhinoplasty

Reduction rhinoplasty is a common procedure for nose reshaping. This procedure helps develop a nose structure that is more proportionate to the other features of the face. This procedure can effectively correct issues such as excessively flared nostrils, elongated nasal tip, and bumps on the nose bridge.

The surgeon will remove tiny pieces of bone and cartilage to create a desirable nose shape. To reduce the size of the nostrils, the surgeon may use a technique called the alar base reduction. During this procedure, the surgeon will remove small amounts of tissue from the area where the cheek connects to the nostril.

Augmentation Rhinoplasty

Augmentation rhinoplasty is a major nose reshaping plastic surgery. The surgeon grafts bone or tissue to develop the nasal tip and/or bridge in this procedure.

Sometimes the surgeon will use cartilage sourced from other nasal areas such as the septum. However, if there is insufficient tissue in this area, the surgeon can use cartilage from other sites on the body, synthetic material, rib bone, or other kinds of biological tissue.

Post-Traumatic Rhinoplasty

For patients with nasal injuries, a post-traumatic rhinoplasty may be a suitable procedure. This procedure can improve functionality as well as appearance. This procedure can effectively correct a crooked nose and address concerns in the nasal septum.

At times, post-traumatic rhinoplasty patients also suffer from fractured noses. In such cases, the surgeon may need to re-fracture the nose and reset it to attain desirable results.

Reconstructive Rhinoplasty

Reconstructive surgery is an appropriate option for patients who have lost their entire nose or a portion of it to skin cancer or other severe illnesses, or accidents.

This treatment involves rebuilding the nose using processes such as skin grafts, flap technique, and other innovative techniques. Reconstructive rhinoplasty is a complex procedure which may warrant numerous surgeries over a few months.

Ethnic Rhinoplasty

Ethnic nose reshaping procedures involve the same techniques as other rhinoplasty procedures. This nose surgery is usually performed on individuals of African American, Afro-Caribbean, Asian, Hispanic, and Middle-Eastern origin.

People belonging to these ethnicities usually have softer nasal contours. An experienced surgeon will ensure that the integrity of the unique features of these faces remains intact.

Adolescent Rhinoplasty

In most cases, surgeons advise teenage patients to wait until their nose is completely developed prior to considering nose surgery. The exception to this is cases where the teen patient is having difficulty breathing or has undergone facial trauma.

If a teen undergoes rhinoplasty, the surgeon makes sure that they protect the delicate nasal features of the patient. It is also important for the surgeon to determine that the patient is emotionally and psychologically prepared for the surgery.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and nearby areas for rhinoplasty.

Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.

Nasal polyps occur in various colors and sizes. They typically range from pink to brownish-yellow in color. Early on, the polyps look like teardrops.

But they appear similar to grapes on a stem upon becoming larger. Nasal polyps can occur in one or both nostrils simultaneously and may grow alone or in clusters.

Polyp clusters or large polyps can cause breathing obstructions and impact the sense of smell. Polyps can block the sinuses leading to recurrent infections.

The surgeon will assess the patient’s nasal polyps and recommend an appropriate treatment plan based on this examination. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim provides rhinoplasty to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and surrounding locations.

Who may get Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps occur in around four to 40 percent of the population. They are almost two to four times more likely to occur in men than in women. Individuals with nasal polyps usually develop them in their youth or middle-age.

Polyps occur more frequently in people who experience repetitive sinus infections, asthma, and allergies. They also commonly develop in children with cystic fibrosis.

Diagnosis

Simply by asking the patient questions on their symptoms and nasal condition, an experienced surgeon usually diagnoses nasal polyps. The surgeon can assess the nasal polyps by viewing the insides of the nose with a lighted device.

To confirm the diagnosis, the surgeon may order the following tests:

• CT scan
• Nasal endoscopy
• Cystic fibrosis
• Skin prick allergy test

Treatment

Steroid Nose Drops or Spray

To reduce the inflammation in the polyps, the surgeon may prescribe nasal drops or a steroid spray to the patient. Steroid nose drops or sprays are commonly prescribed in the treatment of one or a cluster of small polyps. The side effects of the treatment may include:

• Headache
• Nosebleeds
• Sore throat

Steroid Pills

The patient may require steroid pills if they have larger polyps or more severe inflammation. The doctor may prescribe steroid pills to the patient by themselves or in combination with a nasal spray.

Steroid can effectively reduce the size of the polyps. However, they may present side effects such as weight gain. The patient should use steroids only for a few weeks and not longer.

Other Medications

Sometimes, the surgeon may prescribe other medications to treat the underlying condition that may be aggravating the swelling. For instance, they may prescribe antibiotics for bacterial conditions, antifungal drugs for fungal infections, and antihistamines for addressing allergies.

Surgery

If the polyps are substantial in size, or the patient is not responding to other treatments, the surgeon will recommend a surgical procedure to treat the condition.

Polypectomy

Polypectomy is a common surgical procedure to eliminate polyps. The surgeon performs this procedure with the patient under either local or general anesthesia. During the procedure, the surgeon places a long, narrow pipe connected to a camera inside the patient’s nose and sinuses.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and nearby areas for rhinoplasty.

Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.

Rhinoplasty plastic surgery can treat enlarged turbinates. Turbinates refer to the long, narrow bones that project outwards from the sides of the septum inside the nasal cavity. Turbinates look like tiny, curled knobs at the ends.

Turbinates are classified into three types. Superior turbinates are found in the upper part of the nose between the nose and eyes. Middle turbinates are located in the middle portion of the nose. Inferior turbinates lie right above the nostrils.

At the time of the initial consultation, the surgeon will examine the patient’s condition and determine whether they are a suitable candidate for enlarged turbinates surgery.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim provides rhinoplasty to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and surrounding communities.

Turbinate Rhinoplasty

For turbinates that have become inflamed due to irritants or allergies, turbinate rhinoplasty may be an effective procedure. At times, a turbinate may become compressed as a deviated septum pushes it to one side.

Consequently, the turbinate in the opposite nasal passageway becomes larger to compensate for the constricted turbinate. This causes further breathing impediments.

Certain surgeons treat enlarged turbinates by removing tissue to decrease their size. In comparison, others do not remove any tissue at all. Instead, these surgeons fracture the turbinates in the outward direction.  

Turbinates warm and humidify the air that enters the nose. This helps facilitate proper breathing. Sometimes, the removal of a turbinate may lead to a painful condition known as atrophic rhinitis.

The surgeon develops a larger passageway by fracturing a turbinate in the outward direction and away from the septum. This improves breathing and allows the turbinate to function correctly.

Surgical Procedure

There are various surgical techniques that can reduce the size of turbinates. To shrink enlarged turbinates, the surgeon may recommend a surgical procedure known as turbinate resection and turbinate reduction.

The patient can receive this procedure in the surgeon’s office or in an operating room. Generally, patients undergo septoplasty and turbinate resection at the same time.

Removing a turbinate completely can negatively affect the overall turbinate functioning and cause a very crusty and dry nose. The turbinate tissue may sometimes grow back after the surgery. In such cases, the patient may require another surgical procedure. In comparison to full turbinate removal, this option is still acceptable.

There are some techniques that can reduce the size of the turbinate without the removal of turbinate bone or tissue. Examples of such techniques are cauterization, coblation, and radiofrequency reduction.

In these procedures, the surgeon warms a part of the turbinate using a specialized device. After some time, the turbinate constricts as scar tissue forms due to the process of heating.

Other procedures can help eliminate a part of the turbinate. However, it is vital to allow sufficient turbinate to remain in the nose during such procedures. The remaining turbinate will be able to moisten and warm the air entering the nose allowing proper breathing.

Submucosal resection is a common procedure to treat enlarged turbinates. In the procedure, the surgeon leaves behind the lining of the turbinate but takes out the turbinate “stuffing.”

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and nearby areas for rhinoplasty.

Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.