Rhinoplasty + Septum Deviation

Rhinoplasty, or nose reshaping surgery, is among the world’s top five plastic surgery procedures.

For patients dissatisfied with the size or shape of their nose, rhinoplasty offers a welcome cosmetic solution. Since the nose is the most prominent facial feature, modifying its size and/or shape can have a significant impact on one’s appearance. When performed by a qualified cosmetic surgeon, rhinoplasty can greatly enhance the balance of facial features, helping patients find new confidence.

Rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure that changes the shape and size of the nose. While most of these procedures are performed for aesthetic reasons, rhinoplasty can also be a solution for structural defects that can cause breathing problems – such as a deviated septum. The reshaping procedure can be done on an outpatient or inpatient basis and usually takes one to three hours.

The ideal candidate for this procedure has a prominent nasal hump, wide nose, or a nasal tip that requires refinement and has a deviated septum. A deviated septum occurs when the thin wall (nasal septum) between the nasal passages shifts to one side. When severe, it can block one side of the nose, reducing airflow and causing breathing difficulties. Additional exposure of a deviated septum to the drying effect of air flowing through the nose may sometimes contribute to crusting or bleeding in certain individuals. You may need surgery to correct a deviated septum.

Due to individual factors, not everyone will achieve the same results from rhinoplasty. Your surgeon’s goal is to obtain the best possible results for you.

Adjustments can be made to enlarge or reduce the nasal bridge, reduce the size or width of the nose, narrow the nostrils, change the angle between the nose and the upper lip, or reshape the tip.

The surgical techniques used will primarily depend on the goals set together with your plastic surgeon. In many cases, all incisions will be placed inside the nose, where they will not be visible. If the base of the nose is to be narrowed or the nostrils reduced, small wedges of skin will be removed at the base of the nostrils. The incisions are hidden in the natural folds where the nostril meets the cheek.

Through the small incisions described, work is done on the cartilage and bone that form the nose’s framework. Sometimes, the position of certain bones may be slightly modified to make your nose appear narrower and straighter.

If certain areas of the nose need to be built up, this can be done using nasal cartilage, or possibly bone or cartilage from another part of the body, such as ear cartilage. The skin and soft tissues are then re-draped over this new “scaffolding.”

Result and Aftercare
Generally, bruising around the eyes and cheeks is most noticeable during the first three days after surgery. Most of the discoloration will clear up within a week. A few days after surgery, you may begin using makeup as a concealer if desired. Visible swelling can last for several weeks. Minor residual swelling, most commonly affecting the nasal tip, may persist for several months, but generally, this should not be apparent to others.