Rhinoplasty Surgeon in Charlotte
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Alar Rim Surgery following a Rhinoplasty
Alar Rim Surgery is performed to improve the triangularity of the nose. The Alar Rim is the skin along the sides of the nose, near the nostril. Alar Rim surgery is never performed at the same time as a primary or revision rhinoplasty. Changing the tip dynamics will change the shape of the nostrils, especially with reduction rhinoplasty surgeries.
Alar Rim Surgery is always performed after the rhinoplasty surgery
Usually, a rhinoplasty or revision rhinoplasty is first. After this surgery, your top Charlotte facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Sean Freeman, then can determine the shape of the nostrils after changing tip projection, shape and rotation. The alar rim is performed approximately 3-6 months later after carefully taking into consideration ethnicity and asymmetry. Ethnicity is important and alar rims must fit the tip definition and cheek/eye anatomy for that particular patient.
It is not reversible and is an exacting surgery. One of the reasons not to perform the Alar Rim surgery at the same time of a Rhinoplasty is that a very visible incision will not heal as well due to the swelling from the rhinoplasty, and it will leave a more visible scar.
The patient should review the results of the rhinoplasty surgery before deciding to move forward with alar rim surgery. Many patients are satisfied with the surgical results from the rhinoplasty and do not want the second surgery.
This procedure is done under a local anesthesia and has very little bruising, if any, and minor swelling.
Anatomical considerations
- Important anatomical considerations that pertain to the surgery include:
- Inter-canthal distance
- Maintenance of the alar ridge
- Patient asymmetry
- Patient ethnicity
- Position of the feet of the medial crura
Contact your top Charlotte facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Sean Freeman, to schedule an appointment to discuss Alar Rim Surgery.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Types of Rhinoplasty Surgeon Procedures
Ethnic Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty and Chin Implants
Rhinoplasty and Alar Rims
The Procedure
In most cases, your rhinoplasty will be performed in the comfortable, private, state-of-the-art operative suite at The Center for Facial Plastic & Laser Surgery. During the rhinoplasty procedure, the cartilage and bone that form the structure of the nose will be altered or augmented, usually through incisions made inside the nose. If additional incisions are needed, they will be positioned in the nostril crease or along the columella that separates the nostrils. For more in-depth details on the rhinoplasty procedure, and your top Charlotte rhinoplasty surgeon, Dr. Sean Freeman, please see our Rhinoplasty Techniques page.
In the vast majority of patients, no nasal packing is used. Most patients experience moderate bruising for a week to 10 days after surgery. Skin numbness after rhinoplasty may occur but is usually temporary. Most of Dr. Freeman’s patients return to a normal schedule one week after surgery. Swelling can last a number of weeks, and very minor swelling can continue for several months. Contact Dr. Sean Freeman, of Only Faces, to schedule your rhinoplasty consulation.
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About Dr. Freeman
Dr. Sean Freeman, Charlotte’s most experienced Facial Plastic Surgeon, and top rhinoplasty surgeon, is double board certified, and has been practicing facial plastic surgery, including rhinoplasty surgery, since the early 80’s. He focuses solely on faces and offers: rhinoplasty surgery, revision rhinoplasty,blepharoplasty, Soof Lift, face lifts, brow lifts, facial mini-tucks, lip enhancement and more. Dr. Sean Freeman concentrates on ONLY FACES. His expertise and training far exceed any other facial plastic surgeon in the Charlotte area.
Dr. Freeman has trained plastic surgeons throughout the US and overseas. If you want to trust your face and looks to someone, Dr. Freeman is the facial plastic surgeon to trust.
What people say
The staff at The Center for Facial Plastic and Laser Surgery is informative, kind and caring about the tiniest concerns…
I would recommend Dr. Sean Freeman, MD to anyone considering taking years off your appearance!!
Ready to Make a Change?
Get $25 off from your consultation fee when you request a consultation with The Center for Facial Plastic and Laser Surgery.
Call 704-543-1110
Candidates for Rhinoplasty
Nose surgery patients will need to wait until their nose is fully developed before undergoing rhinoplasty. Generally, this is around age 14 to 16 for females and 16 to 18 for males. Since Dr. Freeman specializes in facial aesthetics, he sees an unusually large number of patients who have had rhinoplasty surgery performed by other physicians in North Carolina and throughout the Southeast and who are seeking improvement. Revision rhinoplasty (secondary rhinoplasty) is generally performed using an open rhinoplasty approach.
Ready to Make a Change?
Get $25 off from your consultation fee when you request a consultation with The Center for Facial Plastic and Laser Surgery.