Some types of nose jobs are not done for cosmetic reasons. Septal surgery is a procedure carried out to alleviate breathing problems. Dr. Thomas Liszka of Ballantyne Plastic Surgery in Charlotte, North Carolina, talks here about what is involved in this operation, which involves reshaping or moving cartilage in the nose, or removing the turbinate bone.
Septal surgery is done usually to alleviate breathing obstruction. Sometimes setpal surgery is necessary to straighten the nose, when it is crooked or has a fracture. Septal surgery is also frequently done at the time of cosmetic rhinoplasty, although it is rarely done for cosmetic reasons alone.
The septum is a thin piece of cartilage and bone in the middle of the nose. In some people, it bends too much one way or the other into one or both sides of the nose, causing an obstruction. This can be the result of an injury, or simply because it grew that way on its own.
Different Procedures
A variety of septal procedures that can be done based on the problem, depending on the problem that the patient has. If the septum is warped or curved the cartilage can be removed. Sometimes the cartilage itself is scoured to make it move a specific way. It can be combined with other intra-nasal procedures for obstruction, namely the removal of the turbinate bone.
The operation only takes about 40 minutes and the recovery period is not that onerous, although if you blow your nose for about a week afterwards, it can start to bleed. Your nose will feel tender and it will be blocked for up to two weeks, although special sprays can help alleviate this.
It is recommended that you take about two weeks off following the operation, and that you avoid from playing any contact sports where your nose could be knocked for at least a month. Experiencing sensitivity on your nose for a while afterward is common.
Septal surgery may sound a bit gruesome but it can come as a great relief to people who have suffered from breathing difficulties for years. And if you do choose to combine it with cosmetic rhinoplasty, it can be a winning combination.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
