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Alarplasty and Nostril Reduction Plastic Surgery in Thailand

Nose Reshaping and Alar Base Reduction Before and After

Nose Reshaping and Alar Base Reduction Before and After

Similar to other facial features, changing the shape of a person’s nose requires customized attention. Each person has varying goals for undergoing a cosmetic procedure. Some want to change the size of their nasal bridge, others want to reduce the size of their nasal base width.

Each person has a different view of what a beautiful nose should look like. Additionally, each person has their own opinion about the perfect physical appearance. Individuals who feel that their nose is too big or wide should get a private consultation with a surgeon for alarplasty cosmetic surgery.

Alarplasty

What is Alarplasty Surgery?

Alarplasty, also called nasal base surgery or alar base reduction surgery, is one of the most common facial plastic surgery treatments performed in the United States and in many other countries in the world. It’s also considered reconstructive surgery.

Alarplasty is one of the many surgical procedures used to correct or improve facial features, such as crooked bridges, smooth bumps, and humps. It is designed for people who are looking to undergo nose surgery to adjust the nostrils or nasal tip alone.

Nasal base surgery is popular with people who want to reduce their nasal flare and improve their facial balance.

For other concerns about the structure of the nose or facial appearance, surgeons perform cosmetic rhinoplasty.

How Is Alarplasty Done?

In many cases, facial plastic surgeons remove a small amount of skin from the wing of the nose to make it appear smaller and narrower. In other cases, the surgeon would make an incision in the crease where the nostril meets the cheek. A wedge of the outer nostril wall is removed, and the surgeon closes the incision using sutures.

Many surgeons advise Alarplasty in conjunction with rhinoplasty to make the nose shape more refined.

Alarplasty is a simple and short procedure. Patients will be given local anesthesia and would likely be discharged the same day of the operation.

What Are The Techniques Used In Reducing A Broad Alar Base?

Transgender Thailand’s partner hospital offers four different techniques to help patients achieve their ideal look.

  • Reducing an alar flare by alar wedge resection technique.
    Wedge excision reduces the flaring of the nose by removing the wedges of alar. This is the fleshy, curved part near the base of the nose that attaches to the cheek.
  • Sliding alar flap technique 
    This alarplasty procedure involves making an incision scar outside the nostrils base. This is commonly performed to narrow the alar base on patients who do not need nostril reduction.
  • Nostril Excision 
    This rhinoplasty procedure is performed to narrow the alar base. This technique is recommended for patients with a wide nostrils base.
  • A combination of alar wedge resection and a nostrils excision

Who is a good candidate for Alarplasty?

People may be interested to seek a plastic surgeon and undergo an alarplasty procedure if they feel that their nostril structure has a flared or overly wide appearance.

A good candidate who has previously undergone rhinoplasty and wants to refine the results of their surgical procedure or those who want to improve their facial features after a traumatic injury may also be interested in this plastic surgery procedure.

In general, the ideal alarplasty patients are:

  • Patients with a wide alar flare and nostrils
  • Patients who are in good health and have a fairly good medical history
  • Non-smokers
  • Patients with realistic expectations
  • Patients who want to improve their facial structure or facial beauty

A person’s nose shape, health condition, and previous cosmetic surgeries will also help determine whether they are a good candidate for alarplasty procedures.

Preparation for Alarplasty

In preparation for the surgery, most alarplasty patients are asked to:

  • Consult with an alarplasty surgeon or plastic surgeon and pass a physical exam
  • Stop smoking or drinking alcohol at least two weeks before and after the surgery
  • Stop taking Aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements that prevent blood clotting

Questions to ask your surgeon before Rhinoplasty or Alarplasty

A board-certified plastic surgeon will take care to answer every question that a patient may pose before and after performing any procedures. It is often advised for a patient to list the questions on a paper in advance of the initial consultation.

Some key questions to ask a specialist plastic surgeon before any surgery include:

  • Are you a board certified plastic surgeon?
  • How many years of experience do you have in cosmetic surgery?
  • Do you have specific experiences with facial procedures, such as nostril reduction?
  • Are the results I am seeking realistic?
  • What are the limitations of this surgery?
  • Will there be visible scarring?
  • Would I need pain medication during my recovery period?
  • What is the treatment plan?
  • Are there any concerns that I should be aware of before undergoing nose surgery?
  • How much do specialist plastic surgeons charge for alarplasty surgical procedures?
  • Will I receive general or local anaesthesia during the nose reshaping procedure?

Alarplasty Surgical Procedure

The steps that plastic surgeons perform are similar to those for rhinoplasty. Having said that, alarplasty is deemed as a less invasive procedure.

Procedure :

  • The surgeon will discuss the results with the patient, as well as possible side effects.
  • The surgeon will mark the patient’s nose with a pen to help them visualize the incision to be made.
  • The patient will be put under general anesthesia or topical anesthesia, depending on the surgeon’s recommendation.
  • The surgeon will make an incision.
  • After the incision has been made, the surgeon will place sutures to reinforce the new shape of the alar base.
  • The wound will be dressed with a bandage. In many cases, the surgeon will also advise the patient on the type of pain medication to be taken and given instructions on how to prevent infection.

Generally, the procedure to narrow nostrils and reshape the alar crease can be performed in less than an hour.

Post-operative care and Alarplasty Recovery Time

  • Elevate the head to reduce swelling
  • Avoid salty food for two weeks to reduce swelling
  • Attend all follow-up appointments
  • Keep the surgical site clean
  • Take stitches off 5 to 7 days after surgery

Recovery time for an alarplasty is relatively quick. While the nose will be swollen in the days following the operation, it should recede within one to two weeks.

Alarplasty Risk and complications

As with cosmetic rhinoplasty, patients who undergo alarplasty are at risk of complications. Immediately after the surgery,  patients are likely to experience minor bruising in the alar region. This should resolve in a few days. Applying a cold pack to the surgical site can also help reduce bruising and swelling.

In the weeks after the procedure, a patient may experience.

  • Bleeding
  • Redness or swelling of the surgical site
  • Infections
  • Asymmetry
  • Visible or unfavorable scarring

Most patients can see the final result of Alarplasty four weeks after the surgery. A full recovery is expected to take between one to three months, after which the patient can resume normal activities.

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