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Septoplasty vs Rhinoplasty: Which One’s Right for You?

Septoplasty vs Rhinoplasty

The nose can be a prominent feature on someone’s face, and its unique characteristics can mean the difference between it appearing striking or off-putting. Because of this, it’s no wonder why some people feel insecure about their noses.

In addition to being part of the facial landscape, the nose plays an important part in smelling and breathing too. So if you have issues with any of the above, you may want to take action.

There are two main surgeries regarding the nose: septoplasty and rhinoplasty. When it comes to septoplasty vs rhinoplasty, which one’s right for you? Read on to find out more about each procedure.

Septoplasty vs Rhinoplasty: Purpose

Septoplasty is a type of surgery that corrects a deviated septum. The septum is a wall of cartilage and bone that divides the two nostrils, and if it’s not straight, it can result in nasal obstruction. With this comes health problems like trouble breathing, snoring, and recurrent sinus infections.

Because septoplasty corrects something that’s found internally, the surgery isn’t intended to change the external appearance of the nose. Also, it’s a functional procedure, rather than a cosmetic one.

Rhinoplasty is primarily used to reshape the nose to enhance its appearance, so it’s considered a cosmetic procedure. Usually, it can address proportions to suit the patient’s face better or fix birth defects or injuries. However, the surgery can address functional issues too, like breathing difficulties.

So the main difference between rhinoplasty and septoplasty is that the former is typically cosmetic, while the latter is functional.

Septoplasty vs Rhinoplasty: Candidacy

Knowing what the purpose of each procedure is can help you understand who’s a good candidate for each.

For example, are you having problems caused by a deviated septum, such as snoring or trouble breathing? Then you’re a promising candidate for septoplasty.

Or are you concerned with the appearance of your nose? Then you’re better off with rhinoplasty. You must also have realistic expectations and be in overall good health, as it’s more serious surgery than septoplasty.

Septoplasty vs Rhinoplasty: Procedure

Septoplasty is a closed procedure and it’s performed internally through the nostrils. The surgeon will reposition, trim, or remove parts of the septal cartilage and bone to straighten the nasal passage.

In general, a deviated septum nose job should take between 30 to 90 minutes. The surgeon may use intravenous or general anesthesia on you.

Rhinoplasty can be either a closed or open procedure. If it’s closed, then incisions are made inside the nostrils; if it’s open, then an incision is made on the columella, which is the skin between the nostrils.

In any case, rhinoplasty involves reshaping the nasal bone, cartilage, and soft tissue. This can achieve aesthetic and/or functional goals.

The surgery length for rhinoplasty varies, However, it usually takes two to four hours under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia.

Septoplasty vs Rhinoplasty: Recovery

When compared to rhinoplasty, septoplasty has a faster recovery time. It’s an outpatient procedure, so you can go home on the same day.

It takes one to two weeks and most patients will experience mild swelling and congestion post-surgery, which resolves in a few weeks too. You must avoid strenuous activities for about a month, and you won’t see the final results for a few months.

On the other hand, recovery is much longer for rhinoplasty since you have external structural changes. There’s visible swelling and bruising (especially around the eyes), and it may take several weeks for these things to subside. The final results may not be fully apparent for up to a year since there’s subtle swelling in the nasal tissue.

Septoplasty vs Rhinoplasty: Risks

The good news is that both surgeries are relatively safe, as long as you vet your options and pick the best surgeon available.

The risks you may have with septoplasty include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Septal perforation (a hole in the septum)
  • Persistent nasal obstruction (if the 
  • deviation isn’t fully corrected)

There may also be minor changes in the appearance of your nose.

You’ll have the same risks with rhinoplasty (in addition to numbness), but there are added concerns since the procedure addresses physical issues. There’s the additional risk that you won’t be happy with the cosmetic results, asymmetry, or skin sensitivity. As a result, you may need revision rhinoplasty if you’re not 100% satisfied with the outcome.

Septoplasty vs Rhinoplasty: Costs

Septoplasty is a surgical procedure that has a wide range of costs. You may get quotes as low as $6,000 or some as high as $30,000, although the normal range is on the lower side. Factors that impact the cost include what else you have done, where you’re having the procedure done, and which surgeon you’re using.

If you’re having the surgery done for functional reasons, then it’s often covered by insurance.

In the US, the average cost of rhinoplasty is $7,637, and that’s only for the surgery itself (excluding things like anesthesia). Like with septoplasty, the prices can range from $5,000 to tens of thousands of dollars.

Typically, rhinoplasty is considered elective since it’s cosmetic, which means that insurance likely won’t cover it. However, if you can prove that it’s for functional reasons, you may not have to pay for the entire procedure out of pocket.

A better option is to go to Mexico for surgery. There are world-class medical professionals in the nation, and the prices are significantly cheaper.

Combining Rhinoplasty and Deviated Septum Surgery

After reading all the above, have you realized that you need both septoplasty and rhinoplasty? This is actually very common and is called septorhinoplasty, which means you can get rhinoplasty for a deviated septum.

The two procedures are combined when you need both functional and cosmetic improvements. Not only does this address everything at once, but it also minimizes downtime. Plus, it’ll reduce your costs since the surgeon only needs to book the operating room one time, the anesthesiologist is only needed once, etc.

Choose the Right Procedure

After reading this article, you should understand the difference between septoplasty vs rhinoplasty. The former focuses on improving nasal function while the latter focuses on aesthetics. Also, the procedures and recovery times are different.

If you aren’t sure which surgery you need, it’s always good to speak to a surgeon. They can advise you with their medical knowledge, and you may even find out you need septorhinoplasty.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation if you’re interested in rhinoplasty. Dr. Valdez has exemplary credentials and has completed over 2,000 surgeries.

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