What to Expect with Nostril Reduction Surgery: Before, During & After

Alarplasty is the medical term for nostril reduction surgery. It’s a specific type of rhinoplasty (nose job) that narrows the width of the nostrils. Nostril reduction surgery, also known as “alar base reduction surgery”, is a surgical operation that subtly alters the base of the nose, typically making it less wide or broad, while still retaining a natural appearance.

Nostril reduction surgery is a highly effective procedure for people who want to reduce the appearance of nasal “flaring”, or who desire to make their nose or nostrils look more symmetrical.

Nostril reduction surgery is also a procedure that can enhance the appearance of a person’s nostrils by ensuring that they are proportionate to the rest of the nose, and the other facial features. Even when the nose is the right size for the rest of the face, enlarged nostrils can make an otherwise “perfect” nose seem larger altogether.

Dr. Ali has restored hundreds of patients’ confidence in their appearance with nostril reduction surgery, by balancing the nose and nostrils with the rest of the face.

In this article Troy, MI area board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali explains what to expect before, during and after nostril reduction surgery.

Before Nostril Reduction Surgery: Making the Decision

If a person’s nose is “flared” – or their nostrils seem open and conspicuous – they may consider nose reduction surgery.

The fleshy sections of the nose that bind your nostrils to the face itself are known as “alar”. Alar can vary greatly from person to person – and be thicker or thinner, longer, or shorter, wider or narrower. Certain ethnicities are more prone to wider alar, such as individuals of African heritage.

Nostril reduction surgery removes a very small amount of the alar – changing the width of the nose – without compromising a person’s identity or racial identity. Even minute changes to the alar can cause dramatic improvement in the appearance of the nose.

Good candidates for nostril reduction surgery include:

• patients who do not smoke and who are in good health,
• patients who have completely recovered from previous surgical operations (if any) in the nose region,
• patients with reasonable expectations regarding the ways in which a surgical operation can alter their appearance!

The best way to find out how nostril reduction surgery may be able to help you obtain your desired appearance goals is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ali. He is one of Michigan’s first and only plastic surgeons to offer cutting-edge Vectra 3D imaging for the face.

Revolutionary Vectra 3D imaging creates a three-dimensional computerized view of the patient’s nose from every angle, allowing Dr. Ali to show you your choices and projected results prior to your nostril reduction surgery procedure.

During Nostril Reduction Surgery: The Procedure

Nostril reduction surgery is actually a type of rhinoplasty – but it is a less invasive procedure than a full “nose job”.

Prior to surgery, the patient will need to create arrangements for someone to take them to and from the doctor’s office or hospital. This is particularly important for anyone receiving general anesthesia.

In most cases “local” anesthetic is all that is needed. General anesthesia (being put to sleep) is not usually necessary during nostril reduction surgery. However, if the nostril reduction surgery is being combined with a conventional rhinoplasty (full nose job) the patient will typically be “put under”.

A marker will be used to draw lines on the nose, showing the exact location of the incisions. After the “alar” is subtly reduced, sutures (stitches) will be used to stabilize the new outline of the alar (base of the nose). A bandage will be applied afterwards, and patients will be given medication for pain relief – as well as instructions for post-opt care and recovery, including how to avoid infection at the surgical site.

After Nostril Reduction Surgery: Recovery

When compared to other facial treatments, the recovery period for nostril reduction surgery is quite short. Initially, the nose will be red and swollen, but this will most likely subside after 1 to 2 weeks. The stitches are usually removed one week after surgery at a follow up appointment. Most patients recover fully within 1-2 weeks. And usually there is only mild swelling lasting no more than a month.

Dr. Ali will discuss what precautions each patient should take after nostril reduction surgery, to help ensure that the healing process moves as rapidly as possible. Most importantly, patients need to prevent injury to the nose during the recovery period. So, strenuous activities, exercise, and most athletic activities need to be avoided until the nose heals fully in place.

Nostril Reduction Surgery | Troy, MI Area

Nostril reduction surgery can enhance your natural beauty by reducing the size of the nostrils, while ensuring that you still look like you!

Contact Dr. Ali in the Troy, MI area for a consultation and Vectra 3D imaging, to determine if this nostril reduction surgery is right for your appearance goals.