Fast Facts on Combined Rhinoplasty Procedures

The nose, in particular, is one feature that’s difficult to avoid, due to its central position on the face. Some people have always hated their nose, whether seen from the front or in profile, while others may have become self-conscious about its appearance due to aging or injury. While a rhinoplasty can address most patients’ concerns, getting the most harmonious, symmetrical facial proportions possible may require patients to have their nose job performed in conjunction with a chin augmentation or other surgeries.

Achieving great results from rhinoplasty or any related procedures requires both scientific and artistic skill. Dr. Stanley Jacobs at The Jacobs Center for Cosmetic Surgery, serving Napa, Healdsburg, and more, explains that rhinoplasty at his San Francisco Bay Area practice can enhance the beauty of the nose by making it less noticeable or allowing it stand out in a positive, distinctive way—but any such surgery should always take other facial elements into account.

A quality plastic surgeon will begin any nose surgery process by first assessing your features to determine whether rhinoplasty is the best choice. The surgery is used to modify the size, shape, and proportions of the nose. Some of the changes possible include correcting a crooked bridge, reducing a dorsal hump, minimizing the nose tip, altering the size of the nostrils, adjusting the angle, and making the overall structure smaller or larger. Each surgery is different and may involve one or more elements to alter specific tissues, since the upper nose consists of bone, while the lower section is made up of cartilage, and skin overlays all of it.

One of the surgeries most frequently paired with a nose job is chin enhancement to adjust the look of the lower third of the face. While the individual surgeries work better as isolated procedures for some people, surgeons sometimes recommend chin augmentation for nose job patients who have small chins to create a more defined jawline and a balanced, attractive facial appearance.

This is because having a weak or recessed chin due to a small chin bone may make the nose appear larger while creating the unwanted impression of a more pronounced double chin and deeper nasolabial folds. Chin shape is determined by genetics in most cases, but aging can also sometimes cause loss of tissue and a receding chin in both men and women. Chin surgery, which is also referred to as mentoplasty or chinplasty, has the effect of enhancing the shape of the chin, as well as the neck and jawline.

Rhinoplasty and chin augmentation may be combined in a single session, meaning that the patient will only have to undergo one surgery and recovery phase. This combined treatment may also produce a more aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting outcome. The chin implant procedure itself is relatively minimal and simple. A synthetic implant is inserted to form a more balanced, more defined outline.

Other aspects to consider when having rhinoplasty are the dimensions and position of the ears. Cosmetic ear surgery, or otoplasty, is an option for those who have protruding “bat ears” and overly large or asymmetrical ear shapes.

As a result of gravitational forces and intrinsic aging, the skin often begins to pull away and droop around the lower face over time, forming “turkey wattle,” jowls,” and sunken cheeks. Sometimes performed in addition to a rhinoplasty, a facelift helps produce a younger looking face by tightening skin to minimize folds and sagging around the cheeks and jawline. The skin on the sides of the face is pulled in an upward and posterior direction.

Note that a rhinoplasty won’t do anything to improve the overall quality of the skin. If you hope to make the tone and texture of your skin better, a chemical peel can be applied. This is good for reducing the severity of scars, minor wrinkles, age spots, sun damage, and fine lines.

If you’re interested in learning more about the details of rhinoplasty and complementary procedures and treatment contact The Jacobs Center for Cosmetic Surgery by calling 415.433.0303 (San Francisco) or 707.473.0220 (Healdsburg), or visit the website to send a message.