Rhinoplasty Q&A
Find answers to rhinoplasty questions from Dr. Kim.
174 questions
What is alarplasty and do I need it with my rhinoplasty?
Alarplasty is a procedure that reduces the width or flare of the nostrils, typically by removing a small amount of tissue at the base where the nostril meets the cheek.
Primary Rhinoplasty TechniquesRead answer →How is nose width narrowed during surgery?
Nose width can refer to two different things — the bony bridge width or the width of the nostrils/nasal base — and each is addressed with a different technique.
Primary Rhinoplasty TechniquesRead answer →What is a dorsal hump and how is it corrected?
A dorsal hump is a bump or bony/cartilaginous prominence along the bridge, usually most visible from the side profile.
Primary Rhinoplasty TechniquesRead answer →What is Dr. Kim's philosophy on natural-looking results?
Dr. Kim's core philosophy is that a successful rhinoplasty shouldn't announce itself — the goal is a nose that looks like it could have always belonged to…
Primary Rhinoplasty TechniquesRead answer →How customized is each rhinoplasty plan?
Every surgical plan is built individually, starting from your 3D CT scan, in-person skin evaluation, and the specific goals discussed during consultation…
Primary Rhinoplasty TechniquesRead answer →Can rhinoplasty change my profile (side view)?
Yes — the profile view is often where rhinoplasty makes the most visible difference, since it shows the full bridge line, the angle between your nose and…
Primary Rhinoplasty TechniquesRead answer →How is the ideal nose shape determined for each face?
There's no single "ideal" nose shape — the right proportions depend on the relationship between your nose and the rest of your face: the height of your…
Primary Rhinoplasty TechniquesRead answer →What is primary rhinoplasty and how is it different from revision surgery?
Primary rhinoplasty refers to a patient's first nose surgery — working with cartilage, bone, and skin that haven't been surgically altered before.
Primary Rhinoplasty TechniquesRead answer →Can I request a specific celebrity's nose shape?
You're welcome to bring a celebrity photo as a reference — it's a genuinely useful way to communicate the general direction you like, whether that's a…
Primary Rhinoplasty TechniquesRead answer →How is the nasal bone reshaped or reduced?
The nasal bones are reshaped through a technique called osteotomy — controlled, precisely planned fractures made with fine surgical instruments, allowing…
Primary Rhinoplasty TechniquesRead answer →Can rhinoplasty correct a crooked or asymmetric nose?
Yes — correcting a crooked or asymmetric nose is one of the more technically demanding aspects of rhinoplasty, since it requires addressing both the…
Primary Rhinoplasty TechniquesRead answer →What determines whether I need bone work vs. cartilage work only?
This comes down to where your specific concerns are located.
Primary Rhinoplasty TechniquesRead answer →
The History of Rhinoplasty
The history of rhinoplasty, as Dr. Kim has seen it
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