Rhinoplasty for bulbous nose: how do I correct the bulbous tip

Home » Face » Rhinoplasty » Bulbous nose

By Dr. Walter Zamarian Jr. · Updated: 17/02/2026

What is a bulbous nose?

A nose with a tip that is plump, bulbous, wide or rounded is what we commonly refer to as a "bulbous nose". The term refers to something round and flattened - and this appearance bothers many people, affecting their self-esteem, as the nose is at the centre of the face and any disproportion becomes quite evident. Fortunately, rhinoplasty is the surgery capable of correcting the bulbous nose and also improving respiratory function.

By performing rhinoplasty, I can reshape the nose and restore harmony between it and the rest of the face. The techniques vary according to the needs of each patient - and that is why individual assessment is so important. During the consultation, I examine your nose in detail and indicate the best approach for your case. It is very common for me to associate aesthetic treatment with functional treatment of the septum and turbinates, improving both appearance and breathing.

My approach follows the principles of structured rhinoplasty, a modern philosophy that prioritises repositioning and reinforcing the cartilages with autogenous grafts, precise sutures, and cartilage flaps. Instead of simply removing tissue - as was done in the past - I reconstruct the nasal architecture so that the tip is defined, projected, and has lasting support. This conservative technique offers more natural and stable results over time.


Main characteristics

Excess cartilage at the tip

The alar cartilages are the structures that give shape to the nasal tip. They start from the base of the columella, rise, and curve laterally to the lateral halves of the nose. When the patient has a bulbous nose, these cartilages tend to be thickened, wide, or excessively angled. This is a very common finding, and I can correct it in different ways:

The skin is thick

The skin may be thickened, especially at the tip. There is no reliable and risk-free manoeuvre to thin the skin directly, but in some cases, I can perform careful de-fatting just below the skin, between it and the alar cartilage. This way, I thin the coverage of the tip without leaving external scars or altering pigmentation. Closing the nostrils (alarplasty) can also significantly improve the appearance in cases of thick skin or very open nostrils.

Lack of support at the tip

As I show in the video below, the manoeuvre to test the support of the tip is simple: just try to lower it with a finger. If the tip easily gives way, this indicates a lack of support - and I can correct it by placing a vertical graft (strut) between the alar cartilages. This is the fundamental principle of structured rhinoplasty: to provide support to weakened areas, reconstructing the cartilaginous skeleton so that the tip remains firm, defined, and functional in the long term.



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The consultation for rhinoplasty on potato nose

During the consultation, I assess all the details of your nose:

I will evaluate you thoroughly, check for any health issues, assess your breathing, and explain in detail what can be improved during the surgery. I also show results of surgeries I have already performed, so you have a realistic expectation of what rhinoplasty can offer.


The pre-operative follow-up

Before the surgery, you will return to my office for me to assess your test results and take the photos I will use as a reference during the surgery. If there are any changes in the tests, I will prescribe medications to correct them or request additional tests, ensuring that your surgery is performed with maximum safety.


Understand how rhinoplasty for correction of potato nose works

I perform rhinoplasty under general anaesthesia, in a surgical centre. The surgical plan outlined during the consultation, as well as the photos taken during the pre-operative follow-up, are displayed in the operating room and serve as a guide to ensure everything goes as planned.

Incision

I begin the open rhinoplasty with a small incision in the columella, which usually becomes practically imperceptible afterwards. Then, I carefully dissect the tip and the rest of the nose, exposing the entire cartilaginous structure.

Shaving the bridge

If the bridge is high, I shave this area to lower it. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove excess with a scalpel. Shaving is a very common procedure that I perform early in the surgery, and it helps to reduce the volume of the nose.

Dissection of the septum

If there is a deviation or the need to remove cartilage from the septum to use as a graft, I dissect the septum and remove the necessary part. When the deviation is very large, I can remove up to 95% of the septum to prevent recurrence. In these cases, I reconstruct the structure of the bridge and tip from scratch, shaping the grafts to the ideal size to improve both breathing and nasal support.

Closure of the internal nasal valve

After treating the septum, I close the internal nasal valve, restoring the anatomy that existed before the dissection.

Fracture

When the nose is wide or when I lower the bridge significantly, I usually perform a fracture to narrow it and improve the nasal aesthetics. The fracture does not compromise airflow, as it is done in a high part of the nasal bones, while breathing occurs mainly through the lower internal part.

Treatment of the nasal tip

It is at this stage that I provide support for the tip, remove excess alar cartilage, suture the knees, and graft cartilage to the tip. I correct asymmetries when necessary and, in cases where the alar cartilages are very verticalised, I perform horizontalisation to improve definition and projection.

Suturing

This is the stage where I stitch the skin, carefully closing the surgery to ensure the best possible healing.

Morselisation of turbinates

When there is breathing difficulty, it may be necessary to create space for airflow through the morselisation of the turbinates. For this, I use a device that laterally separates the turbinates, in a physiological and effective manner, enlarging the airflow passage.

Closure of the nostrils

If the nostrils are too open, I close them with a small cut in the inferolateral part. The scar, like that of the columella, usually becomes almost imperceptible in the post-operative period.


Result of structured rhinoplasty

The recovery is quick and practically painless. I advise that you sleep on your back for a month, avoid physical exertion, and refrain from wearing glasses for two months. The result of the rhinoplasty is already visible in the first weeks, but the final result appears only after about a year, as the swelling decreases and the tip progressively thins. Patience during this phase is essential — and the result is worth the wait.

Book your consultation for potato nose rhinoplasty in Londrina

If you are dissatisfied with the appearance of the tip of your nose, I can help you. I specialise in aesthetic and functional rhinoplasty, addressing both the aesthetic and respiratory aspects in a single procedure. Get in touch now with Clínica Zamarian and speak with one of our receptionists, who will be delighted to book your assessment and answer your questions about rhinoplasty.

Also, learn about secondary rhinoplasty, ultrasonic rhinoplasty, ethnic rhinoplasty, rhinoseptoplasty, and male rhinoplasty. Mentoplasty can complement the harmony of the facial profile. See information about the first consultation and the investment.

Ready to transform your nose? Book your consultation now!

Book your consultation for potato nose rhinoplasty in Londrina with Dr. Walter Zamarian Jr.

+55 43 99192-2221


Dr. Walter Zamarian Jr.

Plastic Surgeon in Londrina - Brazil

Rua Engenheiro Omar Rupp, 186
Londrina - Brazil
ZIP 86015-360
Brazil



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Frequently asked questions about rhinoplasty for bulbous nose

What is a bulbous nose and why does it bother so much?

In my practice, a "bulbous nose" is one with a chubby, bulb-like, rounded tip. It bothers because the nose is at the centre of the face — any disproportion becomes very evident and can significantly affect the patient's self-esteem. The good news is that structured rhinoplasty corrects this problem with very natural results.

Can rhinoplasty really correct a bulbous nose?

Yes, definitely. I use various techniques to treat the bulbous tip: removal of the cephalic third of the alar cartilages, sutures in the dome to refine and define the tip, autogenous cartilage grafts, and interdomal sutures. Each patient receives an individualised surgical plan because the causes of a bulbous nose vary from person to person.

Is it possible to improve breathing along with aesthetics in the same surgery?

Yes, and in my experience, this is very common. I usually associate aesthetic treatment with functional — I correct septal deviation and turbinate hypertrophy in the same surgery. This way, the patient leaves with a more beautiful nose and improved breathing.

Can the thick skin of the nose be thinned during rhinoplasty?

There is no reliable technique to thin the skin directly without risks. However, in some cases, I can perform careful de-fatting between the skin and the alar cartilage, thinning the coverage without leaving external scars. Alarplasty (closing the wings) also significantly helps when the nostrils are very open.

What is structured rhinoplasty and why do you use it?

Structured rhinoplasty is my approach of choice because, instead of simply removing cartilage — as was done in the past — I reconstruct the nasal architecture with autogenous grafts, precise sutures, and cartilaginous flaps. This ensures a defined, projected tip with lasting support. The results are more natural and stable over time.

What is the consultation for rhinoplasty of a bulbous nose like?

In the consultation, I thoroughly assess the patient's nose: height of the dorsum, length, width of the tip and nostrils, skin thickness, support, deviations, septum, turbinates, and the facial profile as a whole. I also show results of surgeries I have already performed so that the patient has realistic expectations.

Does rhinoplasty for a bulbous nose leave a visible scar?

I perform open rhinoplasty with a small incision in the columella, which usually becomes practically imperceptible in the postoperative period. If alarplasty is necessary, the scar on the inferolateral part of the nostrils also becomes almost invisible over time.

How long does it take to see the final result?

The result is already visible in the first weeks, but the final result appears only after about a year. The swelling decreases progressively and the tip thins over the months. I always advise my patients that patience during this phase is essential — and the result is worth the wait.

Is the recovery from rhinoplasty painful?

In my experience, recovery is quick and practically painless. I recommend that my patients sleep on their backs for a month, avoid physical exertion, and refrain from wearing glasses for two months. These are simple precautions that make all the difference in the result.

Does a fracture of the nose during rhinoplasty affect breathing?

No. When the nose is wide or when I lower the dorsum significantly, I perform the fracture to narrow it. It is done in a high part of the nasal bones, while breathing occurs mainly through the lower internal part. Therefore, the fracture does not compromise the airflow.

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