For those who want smaller noses

[abhi@mbp.matrixmt.com]

A lot of people start off wanting their big nose made a lot smaller and criticise the surgeon who refuses to do it as 'too conservative'.
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If your surgeon is an ENT/PS he is probably concerned about valve collapse or the possibility of your developing some of the deformities that can occur when too much of the cartilage or bone that supports the structure of the nose is removed. I'm sure you've seen collapsed tips, saddle nose or inverted V deformities which can occur when a nose is over resected.
My god-given nose was on the large side and I had a lot of cartilage removed from the tip to make it smaller. It looked good for about 5 years and then it started to collapse. I now have an inverted V and valve collapse in addition to a lot of other problems. I can barely breathe out of one side of my nose and now need spreader grafts.
I think most responsbile/experienced surgeons lean towards repositioning the cartilage rather than removing it so that the integrity of the structure of the nose is maintained. I've also read that rather than cutting away cartilage suture techniques can be used to bind the tip if it is too large/bulbous. What can be accomplished depends a lot on the size and strength of your existing cartilage.
I certainly don't want to discourage you from pursuing an aesthetic that you will be happier with as I agree with SD who said that you have to live with your face so should be comfortable with your result. Whether you go
with your own doc or get a second opinion to see what is possible striking a balance between form and function is probably a good idea so you don't end up in revison hell a few years down the road. Though as one PS said to me in a consult, "There are some women who will breathe out of their elbows if they have to if that's what it takes to get a small nose."
I have tried breathing out of the elbows and in my experience it doesn't work.

[niku@mbp.matrixmt.com]

It puts it all into perspective for me. I'm still hoping my nose will reduce all over a little bit once the swelling is gone but it won't be the end of the world if it doesn't. At least I can breath and I haven't had a single problem yet (fingers crossed!!). I know I've got a conservative result but everyone so far has told me how well it suits my face and how natural it looks. My stubborn side still thinks "I want it to be a little bit shorter!!" LOL but my sensible one tells me "you are a lucky girl!".
Contacted Matti's office today and I can start exercising... :thud: what excuse am I going to use know to vegegate in fronf of the telly?? LOL

[mariess]

I think if your surgeon says that you shouldn't go as small as you want, then you should listen. The surgeon knows what's best. Besides, he makes money by doing the procedure, so you know it's not a good idea if he doesn't want to do it.