Rhinoplasty

Dr. Mo Boonipat is an expert in rhinoplasty, with fellowship training specifically in challenging rhinoplasty sub-populations.

Ethnic Rhinoplasty in Lubbock, TX

Hello Dr Boonipat here, facial plastic surgery expert. So what is ethnic rhinoplastic? So you can see a range of different ethnicity here. You can see in the ethnic patient in the front. The African American patient the nose is usually broader the cartilage is less strong, the skin is thicker compared to the Caucasian on the far right, where the cartilage is stronger the skin is usually thinner. The nose is more narrow and there can be many variations in between. So for example in a Hispanic patients the cartilage is very weak, you have very wide nasal structure. Not well defined tip with thick skin and a low radix. Usually the rhinoplasty will address these issues with suturing and augmenting the cartilage, reducing some of the thick skin and gives you better definition of the tip and augments the Radix. Sometimes we can address that too. Again we do all of this by trying to retain some of the ethnic features that you have, so that the nose still matches the face and you retain your ethnic identity.

What is ethnic rhinoplasty?

Nose job' or rhinoplasty in patients that are not Caucasian (white) in origin. There are many different unique characteristics in the ethnic patients that make rhinoplasty in this patient population difficult. Differences between a Caucasian nose and non-white nose includes thicker skin over the nose, weak underlying cartilages structures, wider nose (alar base) (surgery can include alarplasty), a very prominent bump on the nose, or too flat. All of these factors make rhinoplasty in this population difficult and hard to achieve good long-lasting result.

Learn more about different types of rhinoplasties, including Hispanic, Asian, Male, and Revision rhinoplasties here.

Read more about the technical details and Dr. Boonipat’s unique approach to rhinoplasty that ensure your long term stable results and minimize the recovery period.

What are the common complaints?

1. My nose is too big, looks like a man’s nose, looks heavy

2. My tip has no definition

3. My nose doesn’t fit my face

4. My nose is crooked

5. My tip plunges when I smile

6. My nose is too wide

7. My nose is too flat

8. I cannot breathe

More Services

Hispanic Rhinoplasty

Asian Rhinoplasty

Male Rhinoplasty

What is the process of getting a rhinoplasty?

Dr. Mo Boonipat will:

-Discuss your goals and go over examples of your ideal nose.

-He strives to create a natural looking nose that is in harmony with the rest of your face. He avoids the ‘done’ look or artificial look.

-Perform a physical exam (including looking inside your nose) and take a medical history.

-He will take photographs of your nose in standard views.

-Discuss how we can help you achieve your goal.

-We need to make sure your goals are realistic and can be achieve.

-We will see you at least twice prior to the operation to again go over the pictures and discuss your goals.

-We make sure the result will both be aesthetic (look good to you), and also be functional (you can breathe after the surgery).

-In certain cases, in order to harmonize your face, Dr. Boonipat will suggest other facial surgery modification. Having training in bony contouring and soft tissue cosmetic aesthetics give him a unique skill set to offer a comprehensive treatment plan that will lead to an individualized natural harmony for you.

Surgery Time

1-5 hours

Anesthesia

General

Hospital Stay

Outpatient

Time Off Work

1-2 weeks

Full Recovery

4-6 weeks

What to expect during and after surgery?

Surgery:

-You will likely go to sleep completely under general anesthesia, unless it is something minor.

-The surgery is done in a certified surgery center

-Lasts anywhere from 1-5 hours, depending on our planning and your particular case.

-You will go home the same day with dressings on your nose.

-Dr. Boonipat will see you for regular follow ups after.

After Surgery:

-We remove the dressing and sutures at the first post operative visit (~1 week after the operation).

-The swelling is worst during the first 2-3 days and usually get better. Some degree of swelling can last up to a year after your rhinoplasty.

-You will see the result immediately, but your nose will still be swollen.

-The swelling will decrease dramatically over the next few weeks (most swelling is gone by 1 month, but you will have some swelling for up to a year).

-Dr. Boonipat's use of piezosurgery and preservation technique minimizes swelling and help speed up your recovery .

-Dr. Boonipat will teach you how to tape your nose to minimize swelling and speed the healing process.

-You should avoid nose blowing, salty and spicy food during the first month.

-You should use saline nasal spray

-Previous breathing issues usually improve over 6 months from your post surgery date.

More Services

So let's talk about rhinoplasty and how Insurance works with that. I get a lot of questions from patients they saying oh can I get my rhinoplasty covered by insurance so the answer to that question is that maybe because if you have symptoms such as difficulty breathing, a trauma to the nose in the past, we can get that part covered by Insurance because it is medically necessary to create your breathing or nasal valve collapse when you breathe in sometimes your nose collapse in then cause difficulty breathing, or your nose is deviated to one side causing you to have difficulties with breathing on one side of the nose. So those things can be covered by Insurance. The things that cannot be covered by Insurance are the Cosmetic Rhinoplasty, if you're only concerns about the bump on your nose or slight deviation that does not cause any breathing issues or other functional issues then we will have to be cosmetic. So we can combine insurance pay for the functional issues and we can treat the Cosmetic issues separately at the same surgery but some of the cost will be reimbursed by Insurance while the rest will be our pocket.

Cost?

Rhinoplasty is highly individualized. Therefore, total cost will varied greatly. Most rhinoplasty cases are cosmetic, and insurance will not cover such operation. Health insurance will cover some or all cost for a functional rhinoplasty (septoplasty), with the goal being primarily to improve your breathing.

Alarplasty (Alar Base Reduction) in Lubbock, TX

Natural, Balanced Nostril Refinement by Fellowship-Trained Facial Specialist Dr. Mo Boonipat

If wide nostrils, flared nasal alae, or asymmetry prevent your face from feeling balanced, alarplasty (also known as alar base reduction or nostril narrowing surgery) offers a targeted, subtle solution. Unlike full rhinoplasty, which reshapes the bony bridge or cartilaginous tip, alarplasty specifically focuses on adjusting the width and shape of the nostrils to complement your natural facial architecture.

At FacePLUS+ Plastic Surgery Institute in Lubbock, Texas, board-certified and Mayo Clinic-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Thanapoom "Mo" Boonipat performs precise, customized alarplasty designed to preserve your unique identity while creating harmonized facial proportions.

[ Schedule Your Consultation ] | Call or Text: (806) 503-2090

What is Alarplasty?

Alarplasty is a specialized facial procedure that removes a small, calculated piece of skin and tissue from the outer base of the nostrils (the alar rim). By narrowing the width of the nostrils or reducing excess flaring, alarplasty creates a softer, more balanced lower third of the nose.

Key Takeaway: Alarplasty can be performed as a standalone in-office procedure under local anesthesia or combined with traditional or ethnic rhinoplasty for comprehensive nose reshaping.

Common Concerns Addressed by Alarplasty

Nostrils that flare excessively when smiling or resting
A nasal base that appears disproportionately wide relative to the eyes and mouth
Asymmetrical nostril shapes or sizes
Overly prominent alar sidewalls

Why Choose FacePLUS+ Plastic Surgery Institute in Lubbock?

When changing features at the center of your face, surgeon precision and experience matter. Patients across West Texas, Eastern New Mexico, and the South Plains trust FacePLUS+ Plastic Surgery Institute for specialized facial care.

Mayo Clinic-Trained Surgical Expertise: Dr. Mo Boonipat completed his plastic surgery training at the Mayo Clinic and holds advanced fellowship training in facial plastic and maxillofacial surgery.
Specialization in Ethnic Rhinoplasty: Alarplasty requires a deep understanding of varied ethnic nasal structures (African American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern). Dr. Mo specializes in preserving cultural identity while refining structural harmony.
Quad A Accredited Surgical Facility: FacePLUS+ holds Quad A accreditation—the gold standard in patient safety—ensuring hospital-grade safety standards in a comfortable, private setting right here in Lubbock.
Awake Procedure Options: Standalone alarplasty can often be performed comfortably under local anesthesia in our accredited clinic, avoiding the downtime and cost of general anesthesia.

Standalone Alarplasty vs. Full Rhinoplasty

FeatureStandalone AlarplastyFull Rhinoplasty

Primary FocusNostril width, flare, & base sizeNasal bridge, tip shape, septum, & overall profile

Surgical ScopeSoft tissue & skin removal at the baseCartilage & bone reshaping

AnesthesiaOften performed under Local Anesthesia (Awake)General Anesthesia or IV Sedation

Recovery Time~5 to 7 days~10 to 14 days (full healing over months)

ScarsDiscretely hidden in the natural alar creaseHidden internally or along the columella base

Candidate Criteria: Are You a Candidate for Alar Base Reduction?

You may be an ideal candidate for alarplasty at our Lubbock clinic if you:

Feel your nostrils are too wide when viewing your face straight-on.
Experience nostril flaring that draws attention away from your eyes and smile.
Have good skin elasticity around the nasal base.
Are in overall good health with realistic expectations.
Seek a minimal-downtime procedure with precise results.

The Procedure: What to Expect

Step 1: Consultation & Mapping Dr. Mo evaluates your facial proportions, nasal skin thickness, and nostril symmetry to design a tailored incision plan. Step 2: Anesthesia Application For standalone alarplasty, targeted local numbing is applied so you remain relaxed and pain-free throughout the procedure. Step 3: Precise Tissue Reshaping Tiny, strategically positioned wedge incisions (such as Weir or Sill incisions) are made along the natural crease where the nostril meets the cheek. Step 4: Micro-Suturing The nostrils are brought into alignment and closed with delicate micro-sutures designed to minimize scar visibility.

Recovery and Results

Because alarplasty involves only soft tissue at the outer base of the nose, recovery is significantly shorter and easier than full bone-reshaping rhinoplasty.

Days 1–3: Mild swelling and slight tenderness around the base of the nose. Managed easily with over-the-counter or prescribed pain relief.
Days 5–7: Micro-sutures are removed in our Lubbock office. Most patients feel ready to return to work and light daily activities.
Weeks 2–4: Residual swelling subsides, revealing refined, natural nostril contours.
Long-Term: Incision lines fade into the natural facial crease, becoming virtually imperceptible over time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alarplasty in Lubbock

Will alarplasty leave visible scars?

Dr. Mo Boonipat places incisions directly inside the nasal sill or along the natural crease where the nostril meets the upper lip and cheek. Once fully healed, these scars blend naturally into the skin fold.

Does alarplasty affect breathing?

When performed by a fellowship-trained specialist, alarplasty is carefully calibrated so that narrowing the base does not obstruct your internal nasal airway or compromise airflow.

Can I combine alarplasty with other facial procedures?

Yes. Alarplasty is frequently combined with traditional rhinoplasty, deep plane facelifts, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), or chin augmentation for comprehensive facial harmonization.

What is the cost of alarplasty in Lubbock, TX?

Pricing varies based on whether the procedure is performed as a standalone awake surgery or combined with wider rhinoplasty. During your consultation at FacePLUS+, we provide transparent, all-inclusive pricing quote options. Financing through CareCredit™ is also available.

Schedule Your Alar Base Consultation in Lubbock Today

Transform your profile with subtle, expert nostril refinement. Contact FacePLUS+ Plastic Surgery Institute to schedule your personalized consultation with Dr. Mo Boonipat.

Address: 12505 Quaker Ave, Suite A, Lubbock, TX 79424
Phone / Text: (806) 503-2090
Email: moboonipatmd@facepluspsi.com
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM