Can a Rhinoplasty Fix a Deviated Septum?

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 youÔÇÖre 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 itÔÇÖs 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 isnÔÇÖt actually┬árhinoplasty (external surgery)┬áon its own though. ItÔÇÖs 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 itÔÇÖll be cheaper than booking two separate surgeries (consolidating everything into one appointment helps everyone save money). If youÔÇÖre 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 septumÔÇÖs 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

WeÔÇÖve mentioned above that consolidating the two procedures into one can help you save money. Plus, youÔÇÖll only have one pre-surgery and recovery period.

You wonÔÇÖt have to take as much time off of work and everyday life, and you wonÔÇÖt have to go through pain and discomfort twice either. This results in monetary, psychological, and physical benefits.

Insurance Coverage

In general, insurance companies wonÔÇÖt cover rhinoplasty procedures since theyÔÇÖre considered cosmetic. But if you combine rhinoplasty with septoplasty, insurance will typically pay for the latter part. YouÔÇÖll still have to pay out-of-pocket for the rhinoplasty, but itÔÇÖs 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 thatÔÇÖs 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, youÔÇÖd have a consultation with a reputable surgeon. Together, youÔÇÖll discuss what your problems are and what you hope to achieve, both functionally and aesthetically.

TheyÔÇÖll go through your medical history, and with their overall knowledge, the surgeon will determine whether youÔÇÖre a good candidate for septorhinoplasty. If so, then theyÔÇÖll book a surgery appointment date for you.

The Procedure

Generally, youÔÇÖll go under general anesthesia, and there are┬átwo types of rhinoplasty┬áthe 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 itÔÇÖs more commonly used than closed rhinoplasty. The closed type of rhinoplasty uses incisions inside the nostril, so thereÔÇÖs 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 youÔÇÖre under the knife, the surgeon will also straighten the deviated septum with septoplasty to ensure itÔÇÖs straightened again.

The surgery itself can take anywhere from 1.5 to five hours, depending on how complex your situation is.

The Recovery Process

ItÔÇÖs normal to see noticeable swelling and bruising in the first few weeks after surgery. But after two to three weeks, they should subside.

ItÔÇÖll 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 youÔÇÖre having issues breathing, youÔÇÖll see vast improvements just weeks after the procedure.

Get Relief From Your Deviated Septum

In most cases, a deviated septum wonÔÇÖt cause issues, and the majority of people live with it just fine. But if youÔÇÖre having trouble breathing and donÔÇÖt like the way your nose looks, then you can take action.

Now that you know that the answer to, ÔÇ£Can a rhinoplasty fix a deviated septum?ÔÇØ is ÔÇ£Yes,ÔÇØ 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┬ánow if youÔÇÖd like to fix a deviated septum with rhinoplasty. Dr. Valdez is a specialist in ultrasonic rhinoplasty, which utilizes the latest technology possible.