Rhinoplasty Vs Septoplasty: Which one is right for you

People usual seem to overlook or be unaware of the fact that knowing about the choices of cosmetic procedures is very important. For instance, having two options such as rhinoplasty and septoplasty and considering them similar can result in a loss.

It is also true that choosing the right nasal surgery can be confusing. Even though both procedures involve the nose, they address very different concerns. Understanding their purposes, techniques, recovery expectations, and outcomes is necessary before undergoing surgery.

Above all, choosing the best rhinoplasty surgeon in Lahore is an important point. Professor Dr. Mustehsan Bashir from Cosmeticoplasty is an exceptionally skilled surgeon in both surgical and non-surgical Rhinoplasty. He is a dedicated researcher to improve the quality of life of his patients by helping them enjoy the finest version of themselves. This article explains rhinoplasty vs septoplasty, each procedure in detail, to help you determine which one may be right for your needs.

Understanding Rhinoplasty:

A generally used term for rhinoplasty is ‘nose job’. It is a surgical treatment that is done to reshape or resize the external appearance of the nose. The procedure is primarily cosmetic. However, in conjunction with a functional procedure, it can improve breathing issues.

Rhinoplasty Types

There are four types of rhinoplasty described below.

Open Rhinoplasty

Creates a small external incision along the columella.
Provides a full view and accessibility to nasal anatomy.
Commonly used for more complex reshaping and revision surgeries.

Closed Rhinoplasty

There are no visible scars because all incisions are placed inside the nostrils.
Most appropriate for less extensive reshaping, and swelling will be easier and faster to manage.

Revision Rhinoplasty

Surgeons go for it when a previous nose job does not create desired results or has caused functional concerns.
Generally, modified anatomy and scar tissue make it more challenging.

Functional Rhinoplasty

Will focus on breathing issues while completing minor aesthetic changes.
This surgery is often done with septoplasty.

Understanding Septoplasty

The surgery of septoplasty is performed to straighten an irregular septum. That is a cartilage and bone barrier that separates the two nasal passages. Additionally, it can block airflow, which can cause problems with breathing. Septoplasty is done for medical and functional reasons, not cosmetic. The primary goal of it is to improve your symptoms of nasal breathing.

Reasons For a Deviated Septum:

A septum may be deviated from birth, develop during the child’s years, or result from an injury such as a sports injury or fall. Most people don’t know they have a deviated septum until symptoms worsen.

Symptoms:

You may require a septoplasty if you have:

Regular nasal blockage, either on one side or both sides.

To struggle with breathing during physical activities or sleep.

Chronic loud snoring.

Post-nasal drip.

Seasonal sinus infection.

Facial discomfort or headaches.

Nosebleeds.

Because septoplasty is performed when fixing structures inside the nose, unless it is done along with a cosmetic rhinoplasty, the external appearance is not affected.

Visit Cosmeticoplasty for Rhinoplasty Surgery

Revitalize Your Face That Suits You Best: Meet Professor Dr. Mustehsan Bashir

Comparison Between Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty

Rhinoplasty Surgery

Goals of Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty helps in the overall aesthetics of the face. Additionally, it improves facial proportions by changing the nose’s:

Shape, size and angle
Nasal tip shape or projection
Bridge contour
Width of nostrils

The procedure of rhinoplasty can correct natural features that a patient is unsatisfied with. Moreover, it rectifies damages caused due to traumatic injuries or previous surgical procedures.

Recovery of Rhinoplasty:

The nose and eyelids will probably have some swelling and bruising immediately after surgery, along with probable internal splints or casting for support.

Patients may have discomfort that includes pressure, congestion, or minor pain.
In around a week, most individuals are back to regular activities.
Final results can take 12-18 months.

Who Is a Good Patient for Rhinoplasty?

You can consider a nose job if you:

Think your nose does not look right on your face
You are not satisfied with the size of your nose
Do not like the shape or droop of your nasal tip
Have a large bump or depression in the bridge of your nose
Have asymmetry or crookedness

Septoplasty Surgery

Goals of Septoplasty

The goals of surgery will include:

Splitting your nasal passages into straighter positions
Decrease nasal blockage
Improve airflow
Lowers the symptoms such as mouth breathing, sinus infections and snoring

Septoplasty also improves allergy treatments by stabilizing your air passages and allowing more open airways.

Recovery of Septoplasty:

There will be almost no swelling or bruising.

Most patients will have either some internal splinting or packing for a short period of time after surgery.
In most cases, patients should fully recover within a week to 2 weeks.
Breathing slowly improves after surgery as swelling decreases and the internal structures heal.
Discomfort is usually mild.

Who Is a Good Patient for Septoplasty?

You may consider septoplasty if you:

Have persistent difficulty breathing despite appropriate medications.
Awaken frequently at night because of nasal blockage.
Have chronic sinus problems due to a deviation in the nasal septum.
You need to straighten your septum in order to move forward with other surgical options.

Rhinoplasty vs Septoplasty: Main Differences

Both procedures are done through the nose. However, they are vastly different in their purpose and outcome:

Distinctions	Rhinoplasty	Septoplasty
Objective	Cosmetic surgery that improves the appearance of the nose. It can sometimes also improve function.	Functional surgery to improve breathing through the correction of internal structural problems. However, the look of the nose is not changed, unless it is done in collaboration.
Target	External nasal bones, cartilage (if clinically indicated), tip, bridge, and nostrils.	Internal septum only.
Reasons	Cosmetic concerns, deformities, and asymmetries.	Functional reasons, including obstruction or difficulty breathing.
Insurance Approval	Usually not covered under insurance because it is usually done for cosmetic reasons.	Often covered if considered medically necessary.
Recovery and Results	It takes longer to heal. The remaining swelling possibly lasts for months.	Faster recovery, with breathing improving over the course of weeks.
Cost	PKR 150,000 to PKR 350,000	PKR 50,000 to PKR 160,000

Combining The Two Procedures:

The two procedures are often done together under the term septorhinoplasty. This operation addresses the internal function and external appearance of the nose simultaneously.

Benefits of Combining Procedures:

Improves both breathing and appearance at the same time
Only goes through one recovery period
Can restore structural support along with cosmetic refinement
Can correct both a septal deviation and visible crookedness of the nose

Many rhinoplasty patients may actually have a septal deviation that will be addressed in surgery to guarantee support for the cosmetic results. For most of these patients, this means achievement of a more balanced, stable, and long-lasting result.

Choosing the Right Procedure for You

When it comes to deciding between rhinoplasty vs septoplasty, there are considerable symptoms, desires, and goals. Here is a simplified guideline to help make that decision.

Go for Rhinoplasty if You Want To:

Improve the form, size, or symmetry of your nose.
Increase the harmony of your face with the rest of your face.
Correct deformity due to injury.
Reshape the tip and bridge of the nose.
Remove a dorsal hump.
Achieve a more pleasing appearance in profile view.

Rhinoplasty exists for the purpose of improving external appearance. It would be the choice for you if augmenting function is your main desire.

Undergo Septoplasty if You Want To:

Breathe more clearly through your nose.
Manage chronic nasal blockage/congestion.
Reduce snoring and sleep interruption.
Reduce chronic issues with sinuses.
Repair a deviation in the internal structures of the nose.

Septoplasty is the right choice if your main concerns are performance and functionality versus desired appearance.

Pick Septorhinoplasty (Combined Surgery) If You Want To:

Improve both breathing and appearance.
Fix a crooked nose caused by septal deviation.
Improve facial balance while treating nasal obstruction.
Avoid two separate surgeries and recovery times.

Many of the patients benefit more from the combined approach, particularly when there is a relationship between the internal problems and external problems.

Consultation With a Specialist

Finally, selecting the right procedure involves judgment by a qualified professional. An ENT specialist or board-certified facial plastic surgeon will do the following:

Examine your nasal structure from both the inside and the outside.
Evaluate the function of your breathing.
Check for structural problems (deviations or cartilage problems) or cosmetic issues.
Determine the appropriate surgical approach.
Discuss expectations and limitations on the results.

In addition, advanced imaging or digital simulations will help to visualize potential future cosmetic results before the decision-making.

Final Thoughts:

In the end, it could be hard for many to compare rhinoplasty vs septoplasty. Both surgeries help in improving the function and aesthetics of the nose. Nonetheless, they dramatically focus on different aspects. Rhinoplasty surgeries are for those patients who want to change the outer shape of the nose for either cosmetic or reconstructive needs. Septoplasties represent the choice of correcting internal structural problems (within the nose) that disrupt breathing. For many patients, the most appropriate procedure will be a septorhinoplasty or the combination of both procedures.

This procedure may represent both the correction of breathing issues and cosmetic needs. The decision is based on the patient’s goals; are they aesthetic, functional, or both? And the decision should be made with the help of a best rhinoplasty surgeon in Lahore after the evaluation of your issues.

A well-known name for that purpose is Professor Dr. Mustehsan Bashir. He is a very skilled and highly educated surgeon. In addition, he handles serious conditions with ease. After your discussion and a complete understanding of the procedure, you can make a need-based decision.