Medical and Cosmetic Reasons to Opt for A Rhinoplasty Procedure

Rhinoplasty procedures or nose jobs are on the list of the top 5 cosmetic surgery procedures performed by surgeons in the US. 2017 saw over 218,000 go under the knife for a nose reshaping surgery, as per figures from a statistical report released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Individuals interested in plastic surgery to enhance their looks often go for nose jobs as reasons to get a rhinoplasty as the results are immediately visible.

While some people go through a rhinoplasty simply to enhance their looks, plenty of patients undergo the procedure to rectifying a concerning injury or medical condition. The rhinoplasty procedures carried out for both cosmetic and medical reasons are mostly similar.

How to distinguish between a cosmetic nose job and a medical one then? It’s easy – if your nose’s functionality has not been tampered with in any manner, it was done for cosmetic purposes. Medical procedures, on the other hand, are done to improve the nose’s functionality for quality-of-life reasons.

Insurance companies generally reimburse the expenses of rhinoplasty procedures when they’re done to rectify breathing issues or deformities or injuries. Rhinoplasty procedures done for purely cosmetic purposes are generally not covered by insurance carriers. Consult your surgeon and insurance carrier to figure out whether you’ll be reimbursed for the procedure.

Cosmetic Reasons To opt For a Rhinoplasty Procedure

Cosmetic rhinoplasty surgery is generally carried out to change the shape, size, and appearance of the nose. Your surgeon may recommend inserting a small chin implant into the nose to ensure your features are balanced out better. Rhinoplasty patients generally have these requests for their cosmetic surgeons:

• To make alterations to the angle made between the nose and the upper lip.
• Straightening crooked noses.
• Reshaping the nose tip
• Narrowing the nose bridge
• Widening or narrowing the nostrils

Most surgeons will hide any incisions made while reshaping the nose, thus ensuring the patient’s face is free of blemishes due to the procedure.

An ideally-shaped nose should complement the face perfectly, not diminish it. When seeing people for the first time, the mind immediately notices their hair, eyes, and mouth. The only time the nose gets noticed is if it’s an oddly-shaped one.

Having a poorly shaped nose can hurt your self-confidence to a great extent. Rhinoplasty procedures can correct this issue. Although a properly done nose job can improve your overall self-esteem, do note that it won’t solve any underlying psychological issues. Maintain realistic expectations of what the rhinoplasty can do to improve your looks.

Consult your surgeon to discuss your expectations and fears before you go ahead with the procedure. They will offer a variety of options to ensure you find something you’re comfortable with.

Medical Reasons To opt For A Rhinoplasty

Some individuals have to undergo rhinoplasty procedures for medical purposes, which may include:

Treatment for Chronic Sinus Issues

A lot of people have nasty chronic sinus issues, including nasal allergies and sinus congestion. Having a deviated nasal septum can exacerbate these conditions. In such cases, your doctor may recommend a rhinoplasty to eliminate or alleviate your medical condition.

Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate

Cleft lip or cleft palate happens to be a common defect that is generally corrected at a very young age. Children who do not undergo the surgery will face issues with eating for the rest of their lives. Although cleft palate surgeries are often considered cosmetic procedures, it’s actually a procedure for a serious medical issue.

Other Medical Issues That May Necessitate A Rhinoplasty Procedure

There are several other medical conditions that may require a person to undergo a rhinoplasty:

• Deformities
• Broken noses
• Burns
• Nasal inflammation due to chronic allergies
• Injuries

Patients with a brain tumor may have to undergo a cosmetic rhinoplasty procedure to remove a benign or malignant tumor, if it is deemed to be causing problems for other organs and organ systems in the body.

Deviated Nasal Septum

You might have come across this term somewhere in the past. It’s the term used for a condition where the central nose cartilage or the nasal septum is placed visibly off-center, making it difficult for patients to breathe properly through their noses. A deviated nasal septum can lead to serious sinus infections and is often more noticeable when seen from one side compared to the other.

A septoplasty procedure has to be performed to correct a deviated nasal septum, which will be combined with a cosmetic rhinoplasty procedure. During a septoplasty, the partition located between the nasal cavities (nasal septum) is straightened out through a surgical correction.

Around 80% of nasal septums are actually off-center. Once you’ve been diagnosed with a deviated nasal septum, you’ll be referred to a skilled surgeon, who shall carry out a septoplasty procedure to rectify it. After the septoplasty, you’ll find it easier to breathe normally through both your nostrils. Many patients are often surprised at how easy it is to breathe after the procedure, as many of them have become accustomed to the condition their entire life.

Risks of Undergoing A Rhinoplasty Procedure 

Plastic surgery should not be taken lightly. You should weigh the benefits offered by the procedure against the possible risks and see whether it makes sense in your case.

Here are some risks of undergoing a rhinoplasty procedure.

• An unsatisfactory post-op appearance
• The need for additional surgery
• Nasal septal perforation
• Skin discoloration and swelling
• Wound healing issues or scarring
• Numbness, pain, or extreme sensitivity
• Breathing difficulties
• Anesthesia risks
• Infection

You can talk to your surgeon about any doubts you may have regarding these risks during a consultation. Have all your doubts resolved before going ahead with the procedure.

Ideal Candidates for A Rhinoplasty Procedure?

Your age and gender don’t matter as for as reasons to get a rhinoplasty – a rhinoplasty surgery can enhance your looks at any age. Young patients are generally not allowed to undergo the procedure since their noses are still growing, unless they suffer from severe breathing issues.

Teenage patients looking to undergo a nose job are required to be cleared by a panel of surgeons to determine if they should be allowed to undergo this procedure. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery has set a cut-off limit of 16 years for boys and 14 years for girls as that’s the age at which their noses can be considered fully formed. Teenage patients are legally required to be informed of all the risks and consequences associated with the surgery.

It’s crucial to maintain realistic expectations. Although a rhinoplasty procedure in Houston will improve your facial features and nose to a great extent, it isn’t guaranteed to give you the nose you’ve always dreamt of. A skilled and competent plastic surgeon will carry out a comprehensive discussion of the procedure to resolve your doubts and queries. They will shape a nose that complements your natural features perfectly.

Ideal candidates for a rhinoplasty would be:

• Non-smokers
• Patients with realistic expectations from the procedure
• Patients whose facial growth and development is complete
• Patients who are physically healthy

While the improvements from the procedure can be noticed right away once the initial bruising and swelling has gone away, keep in mind that it’s perfectly normal for the swelling to remain there for a longer period of time. However, this usually isn’t noticeable.

The results of a rhinoplasty procedure are permanent in nature and will last you a lifetime. It’s critical that you select a qualified and competent cosmetic surgeon like Robert W. Sheffield MD FACS, who happens to be board-certified in head and neck surgery, facial reconstructive and plastic surgery, and otolaryngology.