Preservation Rhinoplasty

What Is Preservation Rhinoplasty?

Preservation rhinoplasty is a modern surgical technique that keeps more of the original nose structure intact than traditional rhinoplasty. This approach to cosmetic nose surgery offers many benefits to patients, including natural-looking results and shorter recovery times. With preservation rhinoplasty, bone and cartilage are removed from beneath the nose, thus reshaping the nose while keeping most of the outer structures in place. Preservation rhinoplasty is performed by members of The Rhinoplasty Society, a group of nose surgeons from all over the world.

Am I a Candidate for Preservation Rhinoplasty?

Preservation rhinoplasty is usually performed for cosmetic purposes. The most common reasons include:

  • Lowering the height of a nasal bump
  • Enhancing your side profile
  • Improving a crooked nose
  • Lifting a drooping tip
  • Reducing a wide tip

Not everyone is a candidate for this type of surgery, particularly people who have had rhinoplasty in the past. To determine whether preservation rhinoplasty is right for you, you should discuss your goals with a qualified plastic surgeon.

How Is It Done?

Preservation rhinoplasty is performed while you are asleep under general anesthesia. A small portion of bone and cartilage will be trimmed from the lower region of the nose. This allows space for the dorsum to be pushed down to a lower position while maintaining the nasal bridge. Unlike traditional rhinoplasty, there is no need for sanding down bone from the top of the nose or reconstructing the nasal bridge. Ultimately, preservation rhinoplasty is more of a general approach than an exact technique. The specifics of the procedure will depend on your surgeon as well as your goals.

Preserve Your Nasal Structure

Preservation rhinoplasty represents a shift in the way plastic and reconstructive surgeons approach rhinoplasty. The approach has gained popularity in recent years for its ability to reshape the nose without altering the overall structural integrity. A plastic or reconstructive surgeon can help you decide on the best type of rhinoplasty for your goals. To connect with a Rhinoplasty Society surgeon near you, please use our Find A Surgeon feature.

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How is preservation rhinoplasty different than traditional rhinoplasty?

Preservation rhinoplasty makes its changes in the lower region of the nose rather than the top and uses less aggressive techniques, allowing for more refined and predictable results. This can achieve subtle, yet dramatic improvements that are more natural looking. Since this procedure requires less bone and cartilage to be removed, more of the nose’s structural integrity is maintained and recovery times are typically shorter and easier.

How long will my results last after preservation rhinoplasty?

For most patients, the results can last for the rest of their life. Since more of the original nasal structures are maintained, there is less risk of complications like tissue or cartilage collapse. It can also make any future alterations, if necessary, much easier and more successful.

What is the recovery time after preservation rhinoplasty?

Recovery times will depend on your procedure and your body’s healing response. In general, most patients will need to plan to take about one week off and three weeks of recovery time avoiding strenuous activities. During your consultation at The Rhinoplasty Society, we will go over what to expect during recovery and ways to improve your overall healing.

*Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary from person to person. Images may contain models.