Undergoing a nose job, medically known as rhinoplasty, is possible and often advantageous if you also have a deviated septum. Addressing both a deviated septum and aesthetic nasal concerns simultaneously can lead to improved breathing and a more harmonious facial appearance. This combined approach simplifies the overall process for individuals seeking both functional and cosmetic enhancements.
Understanding a Deviated Septum
The nasal septum is a wall of cartilage and bone that divides the inside of the nose into two separate chambers. A deviated septum occurs when this partition is off-center, impacting airflow. While many have a slight deviation without symptoms, a pronounced one causes problems. Common causes include congenital factors or injury. This misalignment can lead to difficulty breathing, chronic nasal congestion, frequent nosebleeds, recurrent sinus infections, facial pain, headaches, and noisy breathing during sleep.
Understanding a Nose Job (Rhinoplasty)
A nose job, or rhinoplasty, is a surgical procedure focused on reshaping the nose. Its goals can be aesthetic, altering the nose’s size, shape, or angle to achieve greater facial balance. This might involve making nostrils slimmer, defining the nasal tip, or straightening the nasal bridge. Rhinoplasty can also serve a functional purpose, improving breathing or correcting structural problems like a collapsed nasal valve or other internal obstructions. Many individuals undergoing rhinoplasty also have underlying functional concerns.
The Combined Approach: Septorhinoplasty
When a deviated septum is present alongside aesthetic concerns, a combined procedure called septorhinoplasty is performed. This single operation integrates septoplasty, which corrects the deviated septum, with rhinoplasty, which refines the external shape of the nose, allowing for comprehensive correction of both internal breathing difficulties and external nasal appearance.
A significant advantage of septorhinoplasty is improved nasal breathing by straightening the septum and opening obstructed passages. This functional improvement can alleviate chronic congestion, reduce snoring, and enhance sleep quality. The procedure also offers aesthetic benefits, allowing for reshaping of the nose to achieve a more balanced facial appearance, and combining these procedures into one surgery means a single, more convenient recovery period.
Preparation, Procedure, and Recovery
Septorhinoplasty begins with a consultation where the surgeon discusses goals, reviews medical history, and examines the nose to determine the extent of deviation and desired aesthetic changes. During the procedure, incisions are usually made inside the nostrils, and the surgeon reshapes the bone and cartilage of the septum while modifying external nasal structures.
Recovery involves swelling and bruising around the eyes and nose, with external splints or tapes often applied and removed within one to two weeks. While initial recovery usually takes about one to two weeks, significant swelling can persist for several months, and full healing can continue for up to a year. Patients are advised to keep their head elevated, apply cold compresses, avoid strenuous activities, and refrain from blowing their nose to support healing.