Around 80% of people have a deviated septum, which is a shockingly high number. The good news is despite this, only a small amount of people have symptoms and issues from it.
However, if you’re part of the minority, then it can have a negative impact on your quality of life. Not to mention, a deviated septum can affect your looks too.
Nose jobs are popular for aesthetic reasons, so you may be considering this procedure. But can a rhinoplasty fix a deviated septum too? This post will discuss the subject in detail, starting with what a deviated septum even is.
What Is a Deviated Septum?
First of all, the nasal septum is the structure that divides your two nostrils, and it’s made of cartilage and bone. A deviated septum describes a situation when the structure is off-center or crooked. As a result, it can block airflow, and you might experience issues such as:
- Difficulty breathing (through one or both nostrils)
- Frequent sinus infections
- Nasal congestion
- Snoring
- Sleep apnea
Some people are born with deviated septums due to genetics. Others may develop it through trauma or injury to the nose.
Can a Rhinoplasty Fix a Deviated Septum?
Typically speaking, rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure. This means that the surgery focuses on the external structure of your nose, reshaping it for:
- Balance
- Proportion
- Personal preferences
However, there is such a thing as functional rhinoplasty. This procedure can fix a deviated septum or narrow nasal passages.
Functional rhinoplasty isn’t actually rhinoplasty (external surgery) on its own though. It’s combined with septoplasty, which is a type of surgery that specifically addresses the septum. This is known as septorhinoplasty, and the goal is to restore airflow and facial harmony, all at once.
Benefits of Getting Septorhinoplasty
Combining two procedures can make your surgery more expensive, although it’ll be cheaper than booking two separate surgeries (consolidating everything into one appointment helps everyone save money). If you’re feeling apprehensive about getting septorhinoplasty, then here are the benefits you can experience so you feel more confident about making this choice.
Improved Breathing
If your septum is crooked enough, it can affect how well you breathe. After the septum’s straightened out, air can pass freely through the nasal passages again, which will improve your overall respiratory function.
Cosmetic Balance
Not only can a deviated septum affect your breathing, but it can also make your nose crooked or misshapen. While septoplasty will straighten out the septum and make your nose straight again, rhinoplasty can have more noticeable effects.
Combining these surgeries allows for better alignment of both the internal and external structures of your nose.
A Single Surgery
We’ve mentioned above that consolidating the two procedures into one can help you save money. Plus, you’ll only have one pre-surgery and recovery period.
You won’t have to take as much time off of work and everyday life, and you won’t have to go through pain and discomfort twice either. This results in monetary, psychological, and physical benefits.
Insurance Coverage
In general, insurance companies won’t cover rhinoplasty procedures since they’re considered cosmetic. But if you combine rhinoplasty with septoplasty, insurance will typically pay for the latter part. You’ll still have to pay out-of-pocket for the rhinoplasty, but it’s better than taking care of the entire bill on your own.
The Right Candidate for Septorhinoplasty
Some patients may be better off with septoplasty, while others are better off with rhinoplasty. And then, in some cases, both can benefit you.
You may be an optimal candidate if you have a deviated septum that’s also causing problems with breathing. Septorhinoplasty is also an excellent choice if you simultaneously want to make cosmetic changes to your nose.
Lastly, you should be in good general health and have realistic expectations about the outcomes.
What Septorhinoplasty Entails
First, you’d have a consultation with a reputable surgeon. Together, you’ll discuss what your problems are and what you hope to achieve, both functionally and aesthetically.
They’ll go through your medical history, and with their overall knowledge, the surgeon will determine whether you’re a good candidate for septorhinoplasty. If so, then they’ll book a surgery appointment date for you.
The Procedure
Generally, you’ll go under general anesthesia, and there are two types of rhinoplasty the surgeon can use: open or closed. The difference is that open rhinoplasty uses a small incision on the columella (the tissue between the nostrils), it has better visibility, and the surgeon has better precision too, which means it’s more commonly used than closed rhinoplasty. The closed type of rhinoplasty uses incisions inside the nostril, so there’s less noticeable scarring and a slightly shorter recovery time.
Either way, your surgeon will use the appropriate type of rhinoplasty for your procedure to achieve your desired results. While you’re under the knife, the surgeon will also straighten the deviated septum with septoplasty to ensure it’s straightened again.
The surgery itself can take anywhere from 1.5 to five hours, depending on how complex your situation is.
The Recovery Process
It’s normal to see noticeable swelling and bruising in the first few weeks after surgery. But after two to three weeks, they should subside.
It’ll take some time for your nose to fully settle into its new shape though, so be patient. It can take up to a year for final results to show, especially as the swelling decreases over time.
The good news is that if you’re having issues breathing, you’ll see vast improvements just weeks after the procedure.
Get Relief From Your Deviated Septum
In most cases, a deviated septum won’t cause issues, and the majority of people live with it just fine. But if you’re having trouble breathing and don’t like the way your nose looks, then you can take action.
Now that you know that the answer to, “Can a rhinoplasty fix a deviated septum?” is “Yes,” that should come as a relief to you. Combined with septoplasty, this surgery can improve both your health and appearance.
Get in touch with us now if you’d like to fix a deviated septum with rhinoplasty. Dr. Valdez is a specialist in ultrasonic rhinoplasty, which utilizes the latest technology possible.
References:
- Lepley TJ, Frusciante RP, Malik J, Farag A, Otto BA, Zhao K. Otolaryngologists’ radiological assessment of nasal septum deviation symptomatology. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2023;280(1):235-240. doi:10.1007/s00405-022-07528-y
- Deviated Septum. Harvard Health. May 17, 2019. Accessed January 27, 2025. https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/deviated-septum-a-to-z
- Laura Gowen M| BM, Tuesday J 23. Two types of rhinoplasty explained – cosmetic vs functional. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Accessed January 27, 2025. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/two-types-of-rhinoplasty-explained-cosmetic-vs-functional
- Solutions TK ISG, Reconstructiv AA of FP&. American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Accessed January 27, 2025. https://www.aafprs.org/
- The Dangers of Uncontrolled Sleep Apnea. June 20, 2024. Accessed January 27, 2025. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-dangers-of-uncontrolled-sleep-apnea