Bulbous Nose Correction

A bulbous nose has several possible causes, such as wide or splayed alar cartilages, a low columella with flared nostrils, or a thick layer of subcutaneous fat at the tip, so it matters whether the correction is planned to match the cause. Asian noses tend to have thicker skin and weaker cartilage, so correcting only the alar cartilages may make little visible difference.

At Sehyun Plastic Surgery, Chief Surgeon Dr. Yoo Hyun-seok, a board-certified plastic surgeon, personally assesses the soft tissue and alar cartilages of the tip, then plans and performs cartilage repositioning together with correction of the subcutaneous fat. Bulbous nose surgery takes about 1 hour under sedation and local anesthesia, and daily activities can be resumed after 2–4 days (recovery varies from person to person).

The surgical plan differs depending on whether the subcutaneous fat layer of the tip is thick, the alar cartilages are large or spread apart, or the column supporting the tip lacks sufficient height. When both the fat layer and cartilage contribute to the bulbous shape, a method that corrects both tissues is considered.

The alar cartilage of the tip is repositioned at the planned height and orientation, then secured again. The position of the cartilage is chosen with the angle and length of the tip in mind.

A support structure is planned to match how much the tip is raised. The tip support technique divides cartilage into several pieces to support the tip, taking both tip support and tip movement into account.

Removing too much dermis can damage capillaries, leading to reduced blood circulation or skin necrosis. Skin and subcutaneous fat thickness vary from person to person, so the extent of removal must be adjusted, and we plan to reduce only as much as needed, focusing on the subcutaneous tissue.

The cost depends on how the tip is corrected, whether the bridge is raised at the same time and which implant is used. We let you know the exact cost after assessing your nose and discussing the surgical method, and you can inquire on the Cost Consultation page of the Consultation & Booking menu.

You can find actual surgery reviews in the Real Surgery Reviews list for Rhinoplasty under the Before & After menu. Log in to your member account to view full reviews and photos.

In the early stage after surgery, swelling can make the tip look blunter or feel firm, so it is a good idea to check how long after surgery each photo was taken. The speed of recovery and change varies from person to person depending on skin thickness and the amount of fat.