Rhinoplasty

From the earliest age, Dr. Paul has been fascinated by the nose. The complex balance between shape, size and function and the influence the nose has on overall facial harmony has continued to fuel Dr. Paul’s desire to help his patients get the best result possible. For all of its intricacies and nuances, the nose is incredibly compelling and through his journey to become a plastic surgeon, Dr. Paul has developed a thorough understanding of nasal anatomy.

When performing a Rhinoplasty, he consistently takes into consideration the importance of its structures, while seeking to preserve its natural function, but also improve the external appearance.

For your knowledge, we have included the portions of the nasal structure that Dr. Paul takes into consideration during this cosmetic plastic surgery here:

• Skin – The main protector of your nose’s inner workings, the nasal skin in the upper portion of your nose is thinner and more mobile, while the lower portion is less flexible and thicker.  Different patients will have different skin thicknesses. The thickness of the skin cannot be changed in surgery. Patients with thicker skin will see less definition of the cartilage and bone and may have a longer period of swelling after surgery. Patients with thinner skin will see more definition. Dr. Paul will help you understand your skin thickness during the consult.
• Bones – Underneath the skin, sits two arch-shaped bones at the top of the nose, which will vary in size depending on the individual. The bones project outward and are partially responsible for the hump that develops along the dorsum, often referred to as the bridge of the nose.
• Cartilage – The nose has several distinct cartilage structures that help support and give your nose its primary shape. These different types of connective tissue in your nasal cavity are called the septal nasal cartilage, lower lateral cartilage, and upper lateral cartilage.

The septal nasal cartilage separates one nasal cavity from the other. The upper lateral nasal cartilage is a wing-like expansion, providing support within the nasal cavities. The upper lateral cartilage spans the middle third of the nose. The paired lower lateral cartilages make up the nasal tip. The cartilages are M-shaped and hold up each naris (nostril) and provide form and strength of your nostrils.

Whilst a general nose surgery is called Rhinoplasty, nasal surgeries can be divided into two groups: functional rhinoplasty (correcting breathing problems), and cosmetic rhinoplasty (correcting aesthetic problems).

Ethnic Rhinoplasty

The nose job has been available for decades. But for people of color in the U.S., getting a satisfying outcome often proves challenging because best practices among plastic surgeons were developed around the general facial shapes and aesthetic standards of Caucasians, who make up the largest patient demographic. However, a narrow, one-size-fits-all focus on the “American nose” fails to preserve patients’ ethnic identity, and it doesn’t take into account the rich diversity of facial shapes and characteristics in today’s society.

Applying Caucasian rhinoplasty techniques and guidelines to the face of an African-American, Asian, Native American, or Middle Eastern patient may result in dissatisfaction.

Dr. Ben Paul specializes in the ethnic nose, and because of his extensive training and experience, he understands the nuances of the procedure and how to best customize it for every patient, respecting ethnicity and gender.  As one of the most sought-after nose surgeons in New York, Dr. Paul provides exceptional rhinoplasty results for all ethnicities and cultures.

Rhinoplasty For Men

Dr. Paul will use a special approach for his male patient. Many men wish for a smaller nose, a reduced nasal hump and a less droopy tip.  Patients are deeply concerned with being over-done or scooped. Rhinoplasty for Men is geared towards keeping a powerful, prominent nose with a supported nasal tip that is not over-rotated – but one that fits a masculine face. When speaking with Dr. Paul, you will discuss your nuanced goals and craft an individualized surgical plan.

Dr. Paul takes everything about what makes a male nose unique into consideration when performing this procedure. These characteristics are usually your nose width, the angle of the nasal tip, your facial shape and structure, and finally, the angle of your nasal bridge. As a highly trained rhinoplasty surgeon in the Big Apple, you can rest assured that no matter what your genetic makeup is, you are in qualified hands with Dr. Ben Paul.

Sometimes after a Primary Rhinoplasty, the procedure doesn’t produce the desired results. The Revision Rhinoplasty is a reconstructive surgery designed to repair issues of the nose that are left unresolved after a previous surgery. Patients must wait a full 12 months after their first surgery before undergoing a Revision Rhinoplasty. Residual swelling can take up to a year to resolve, and for scar tissue to soften, making it difficult to accurately assess the nasal structures.

To learn more about Revision Rhinoplasty, please visit our Revision Rhinoplasty page.

Septoplasty is a surgical procedure that changes the central wall between the right and left nasal passages. The septum is made of cartilage in the front and bone in the back. Dr. Paul is a dual board-certified ENT and Facial Plastic Surgeon. He can improve the septum independently but often will perform septoplasty during general rhinoplasty procedures.

The idea is to do the septoplasty at the same time as the rhinoplasty because the septal cartilage that is deviated or blocking the airway can be repurposed for nasal grafting. If the septoplasty is done before the rhinoplasty, valuable septal cartilage may be absent and alternative sources of cartilage may be used such as irradiated cadaveric rib cartilage, autologous rib cartilage, or ear cartilage.