bulbous nose - Tip Rhinoplasty NZ

Tip Rhinoplasty or Mini Nose Job in Auckland New Zealand

A Mini Nose Job or Tip Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that is performed to improve the shape of the nasal tip by either augmenting or reducing the appearance of the nasal alars and cartilage. During the procedure, the nasal bridge and bony structure are left alone, and not surgical intervention is applied to these structures. The Tip Rhinoplasty, more commonly known as tipoplasty or Tip Plasty, is a simple procedure that aims to improve facial aesthetics with minimal visible scarring. Dr Mark Gittos is a Specialist plastic Surgeon and Nose Expert based in Auckland, NZ.

Download Dr Mark Gittos’ Guide to Nose Surgery

Guide Nose Surgery

Am I a good candidate for Tip Rhinoplasty?

Tip Rhinoplasty is a fast and effective method to achieve the nasal structure of your dreams. Any deformity of the nasal tip can significantly impair your appearance and self-image. If you suffer from any of the following, you may be a candidate for tip rhinoplasty:

  • A bulging nasal tip or a bulbous nasal tip
  • Long nasal tip that may need shortening
  • Short nasal tip that may need lengthening
  • Low nose tip
  • Hooked ‘Parrot Beak’ Nose tip
  • Nasal tip projection alterations
  • Flat/blunt nasal tip
  • Collapsed nasal tip (after a traditional rhinoplasty)
  • Narrow nasal tip

You may also be an ideal candidate for the tip rhinoplasty surgery if you are a non-smoker, physically, and mentally healthy, have realistic expectations from the procedure and have one or more of the facial defects mentioned above.

Book a consultation with Dr Gittos now to find out if you meet the criteria to undergo a tip rhinoplasty.

bulbous nose - Nose tip rhinoplasty Auckland

What are the Benefits of Tip Rhinoplasty?

Tip Rhinoplasty or Mini Nose Job is a highly sought out procedure, mainly for its aesthetic benefits. But it also has medical benefits, as it can improve nasal functioning, making it easier for you to breathe. If tip plasty is performed with septoplasty, which is done to treat a deviated or crooked nasal septum, the results not only include a well-sculpted nasal tip but also improved breathing and reduced snoring.

If you are bothered by the shape of your nasal tip or the flared appearance of your nostrils, then Tip Rhinoplasty may be the perfect procedure for you. Tipoplasty results in a more defined nasal tip and an appropriately balanced nasolabial angle, hence, improving the facial aesthetics. Having a bulbous nasal tip or a flat nasal tip can also be a psychological burden, which can be lifted by undergoing a tipoplasty procedure.

Overall, tip rhinoplasty procedure has medical, cosmetic, and psychological benefits. If you are not happy with the appearance of your nasal tip, book a consultation with our board-certified cosmetic surgeons to find a solution.

A tip Rhinoplasty can also be a simpler procedure than a full Rhinoplasty with a faster recovery time.

Tip Rhinoplasty Procedure

Tip Rhinoplasty is a common procedure that can take anywhere between thirty to 90 minutes. It is usually performed either under local or general anesthesia depending on specific techniques and procedures being performed. Dr Gittos will advise you on the best option for you. The Tip Rhinoplasty procedure can either be performed using a closed technique or an open technique depending on individual factors and the surgeon’s skill level with either technique.

  • The closed technique involves an incision on the inside of the nostrils and does not produce visible external scarring. The use of this technique also cuts the overall operation time markedly.
  • The open technique involves an incision on the skin in between the two nostrils and may leave behind a scar. However, you don’t have to worry as the scar won’t be clearly visible.

Tip Rhinoplasty is performed to improve nasal appearance either by dissecting and targeting the nasal cartilage in a procedure called cartilage surgery or by reducing the size of the nostrils which can cause the nose to look flatter despite a high nasal bridge in a procedure aptly named alar/nostril reduction.

Cartilage surgery can be performed using any of the three classic methods, all of which aim to improve the nasal tip.

  • Cartilage Tie Plasty: In this method, your surgeon will tie the alar cartilage to reduce the overall width of the alar cartilage, making the nose less bulbous and more beautifully pointy.
  • Cartilage Implant: During this Tip plasty, your surgeon may add an implant to the nasal tip to give it structure and reduce the flat nasal tip appearance. The implant placement may be preceded by fat removal, especially if you have more fat on the nasal tip. Your surgeon may advise you to undergo this procedure along with a cartilage tie plasty to achieve the best results.
  • Cartilage Reposition: This method is especially for those with short, upward-turned noses or those having tip plasty after a traditional rhinoplasty. In this method, the septal cartilage is repositioned to give your nose a well-sculpted and defined look.

Similarly, Alar Reduction is performed on the skin covering the nasal tip, using one of the two methods mentioned below:

  • Removal: In this method, excess alar skin may be removed to reduce the flared nostril appearance and hence, increase the height of your nasal tip. The incisions are made on the outside, usually on the lower side of the nostrils to minimize visible scarring.
  • Tie: This method brings about the same results as the removal method, however, with lesser recovery time. The incisions for this method are made on the inside of each nostril, and then the skin between both nostrils is tied to reduce the width of the nasal alar.

Book a consultation now with Dr Gittos to find the right Nose Job method and technique for you.

Recovery from Tip Rhinoplasty Procedure

During the recovery period, you may experience some mild bruising, pain, and discomfort which be easily treated using common pain management medications. Your surgeon may also prescribe you some painkillers to help relieve you of your pain. You will also be required to wear a nasal splint for the first week after surgery to protect the nasal bony and cartilaginous structures.

You are recommended to abstain from strenuous physical activities during the recovery period, at least for the first two to three weeks. You may not be able to wear glasses for up to five weeks after the procedure to ensure proper healing of the incisions.

It is strongly advised to refrain from picking your nose or blowing your nose during the recovery period as these actions may complicate and delay wound healing, often also reversing the results of surgery.

It is important that you follow the doctor’s orders and abstain from smoking as it can result in infections, which can further delay the healing process. You are also not allowed to drink during this period, at least until you have stopped taking pain medication.

Risks and Complications of Tip Rhinoplasty

Tip rhinoplasty is a relatively minimally invasive procedure and doesn’t have serious risks and complications associated with the procedure. However, it still is a surgical procedure and has some common risks and complications that you should discuss with your plastic surgeon before making the decision to undergo this procedure.

  • Infection
  • Temporary nasal numbness
  • Bleeding
  • Bruising
  • Delayed Wound Healing
  • The risk for secondary rhinoplasty

The satisfaction rate for this procedure is extremely high and these side-affects are pretty uncommon.

For more tips about risks of cosmetic surgery visit the RISKS page.

Your Tip Rhinoplasty Journey

Consultation

bulbous nose

This is the first step of your tip rhinoplasty surgery journey and perhaps, one of the most important ones too. During this phase, your plastic surgeon will assess your physical health to ensure that you can undergo a plastic surgery procedure. Your surgeon will also take pictures of your nose to assess and evaluate which method and technique needs to applied to bring about the results you desire.

It is very important for you to be extremely candid and realistic about your goals and expectations so your plastic surgeon can choose the right type of surgical intervention for you. Failing to be open with your surgeon can result in lower satisfaction rates and you are strongly recommended against it.

You may consider a tip rhinoplasty if you are unhappy with the shape of the tip of your nose but generally happy with the anatomy of your nose. If not, a traditional rhinoplasty may be a better choice for you. Book a consultation with Dr Gittos today to find out which procedure is the best for you.

Operation

Your plastic surgeon will assess your nasal tip to decide if the desired results can be reached using cartilage surgery or alar reduction surgery. Your conversation with the plastic surgeon during the consultation phase followed by an evaluation of your nose helps your surgeon further narrow down the right technique and method for you. The surgery is performed under general or local anesthesia and depending on the method of choice, may take between 30 to 60 minutes.

Recovery

The Recovery process can take anywhere between 6 to 12 months with rapid recovery being done in the first three months. During this period, there may be bruising and swelling that may cause mild discomfort and pain. Your plastic surgeon will prescribe pain management pills for these symptoms. For the rapid recovery phase, you must avoid the sun for the first 4-5 weeks and use SPF regularly. You are not allowed to partake in any physical strenuous exercises or wearing glasses, especially the thick-rimmed ones. During this period, it is best to stay off smoking as it can cause infections and complicate the recovery phase. Drinking is also not allowed, especially when taking pain management medications. It is absolutely necessary that you don’t blow your nose, pick your nose, or touch the scabs in any way to prevent complicating the wound healing process.

Tip Rhinoplasty Cost NZ – What does Tip Rhinoplasty Cost in NZ? Fees & Prices

Every patient and every nose is different, therefore the prices vary depending on procedure complexity, your hospital choice and whether you qualify for insurance subsidies.

You will be given a price quote after your first consultation. This will include a Surgeon’s fee, Anaesthetist fee, Surgical Assistant fee, and hospital fees. Visit the pricing page for more information.

Tip Rhinoplasty FAQs – Questions about a Tipoplasty

bulbous nose

How is tip rhinoplasty different from traditional rhinoplasty?

  • The traditional rhinoplasty targets all aspects of your nose like the bridge, hook, cartilage, bone, and all. The purpose of the procedure is to create a perfectly proportionate and symmetric nose by chipping away at the bone and the septal cartilage. Tip rhinoplasty is a relatively minimally invasive procedure that only targets the nasal tip and the cartilage underneath it. It does not interfere with the bony structure of the nose and aims to create a well-sculpted and contoured nasal tip.

How long does it take to heal?

  • The entire healing process for a tip rhinoplasty procedure can last for up to 12 months, although mild results may be visible within the first two to three months. The initial recovery period is just 2 to 3 weeks, maybe even less in some cases. However, there may be a significant amount of swelling that may hide most of the results of the surgery. Full results may take up to a year to become visible.

Am I too young for a tip rhinoplasty?

  • Tip rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure and there is a common saying in the cosmetic industry, ‘age is just a number’. You can undergo it at any point of your young adult life as far as you meet the criteria to ensure the best results. Book a consultation today to find out if you are a candidate for the tip rhinoplasty procedure.

Is Tip Rhinoplasty Worth it?

  • Apart from a long healing period that is marked by bruising and significant swelling, tip rhinoplasty is an effective and highly-beneficial procedure with a very high patient satisfaction rate. Also, It leaves behind almost no visible scarring and can be performed within an hour under local or general anesthesia. Book a consultation with Dr Gittos to weigh the pros and cons of the procedure to finally decide if you would like to undergo tip rhinoplasty.

Further Medical Reading

Why choose Dr. Mark Gittos

Dr. Mark Gittos is a highly skilled and board-certified consultant plastic and cosmetic surgeon who has received his training from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the US. He is currently settled in New Zealand at Coco Ruby.

Dr, Gittos puts his patient’s safety and wellbeing as his first priority and often operates on patients with hand injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, and skin cancers. He approaches each case with up-to-date knowledge and highly innovative techniques to ensure the best results.

About Dr Mark Gittos FRACS (Plast) – New Zealand Plastic Surgeon 

Practice locations in Herne Bay Auckland, Northland and Bay of Plenty – Kerikeri, Whangarei, New Plymouth & Tauranga

Dr Mark Gittos is a leading Specialist Plastic Surgeon and operates a practice in Herne Bay, Auckland and in the UK. The practice focuses on both surgical and non-surgical procedures, each designed to help restore, improve or change a physical characteristic or problem. The first step in every case is to talk through your personal requirements and explore all the options, before deciding on the most effective solution.

Dr Mark Gittos offers high quality, natural-looking cosmetic surgery results and is highly experienced in BreastBody and Face Surgery having performed over 4000 Surgeries in the last 26 years.  With worldwide expertise Dr Gittos is an expert in breast, face and body surgery for men & women. 

Naturally, before any treatment is begun, we will explain clearly the advantages and risk factors; so that you have the information you need to make an informed decision that is best for you. Visit the practice to find out more.

NEXT STEPS

Please NOTE: Dr Gittos only performs surgery on non-smoker patients with a BMI less than 30. To check your BMI please visit the NZ Heart Foundation website. For help giving up smoking before surgery visit the Smoke Free website

Do your Research

What to Bring to your Plastic Surgeon Consultation

  • Bring a friend or relative to help discuss the information and your choices
  • Take lots of notes and read the documents provided thoroughly
  • Dress in simple clothes as you may need to undress for examination
  • Bring your medical referral and any relevant medical documents or test results

Book your Initial Surgery Consultation

  • A Referral from your GP or specialist is helpful but NOT essential – you can have a consultation without a GP Referral
  • Email us or Call on 09 529 5352 to arrange your surgeon consultation appointment.
  • Book a consultation with Dr Gittos by paying the Consultation Fee – $350 incl GST

Traveling for Surgery? – Consider post-surgery luxury recovery in a Hotel with LuxeCare

Please contact us to arrange to book a consultation with our Specialist Plastic Surgeon or to speak with our Patient Care Advisor.

Send an enquiry form today or phone  09 529 5352  during Clinic Hours