Rhinoplasty

Occasionally the nose does not match the proportions of the face and can be displeasing to the eye. Whether your nose is too large, hooked, bulbous, has lumps or bumps, or is crooked, you may want to reshape it to your preference. Rhinoplasty is an excellent way to alter the nose so that it fits your face better.

Septoplasty

Some people are born with structural irregularities in the nose that can impair breathing and make it hard for them to live a normal or active lifestyle. A deviated septum is a condition in which the wall between the nasal cavities has shifted, or deviated, to one side, creating one nasal cavity that is smaller than the other. This causes trouble breathing and can result in sinus infections, congestion, nose bleeds, or facial pains.

Septoplasty is a surgery that moves and manipulates the wall between the nasal openings. Getting a septoplasty will replace the wall between the nasal cavities to restore normal breathing and reduce the infections, bleeding, and pain.

If you are an adult who is unhappy with the appearance of your face or you are having difficulty breathing due to your nose and you are otherwise physically healthy, you may be a good candidate for this type of procedure. It is also important to have a positive outlook with realistic objectives.

Because the nasal cartilage continues to grow until the age of 18, minors are generally not good candidates for a septoplasty.

You will receive anesthesia for overall comfort during the procedure. Dr. Banich will go over anesthesia options and recommend the best type for the procedure.

Dr. Banich will make an incision at the base of the nose or within the nostrils and separate the skin and cartilage from the bone. He will then use specialized tools to sculpt and mold the nose.

If the septum is deviated, Dr. Banich will perform a septoplasty. This can be done concurrently with a rhinoplasty or on its own.  Septoplasty is done entirely through the nostril. Dr. Banich will manipulate the wall between the nasal cavities to center it, or he will remove, reshape, and replace it within the nose.

Your recovery may differ depending on the type of nose surgery you have. Each person and circumstance is different, so the following recovery details are guidelines and may not be what the doctor recommends.

You can expect your nasal cavities to be packed to help with bleeding, and you may have splints placed inside and outside of the nose to support the new configuration during healing.

You will experience swelling and bruising following your procedure and you should discontinue strenuous activities for about 2 weeks. After that time, the swelling and bruising should be mostly resolved and you can resume your normal lifestyle.

You will receive specific information regarding:

• How to treat the incision sites
• Any medications that should be taken and how to take them safely
• Anything that you would need to look for or be concerned about at the site of the incision or for overall well-being
• When to schedule any follow-up appointments

Dr. Banich will also be available to answer any questions regarding specific recovery questions you might have.

If the reason for a rhinoplasty is purely cosmetic, i.e., to fix the proportions of your face, insurance will not cover the fees.

If you have difficulty breathing or have structural irregularities that impair your general health, and a septoplasty or rhinoplasty is medically necessary to improve your quality of life, insurance may pay for the procedure. Documentation and photographs will be sent to the insurance company with an explanation of the need.

You should look for a surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and who has completed an accredited medical school program and residency in plastic surgery.