Rhinoplasty surgery can be performed for a number of reasons, but cosmetic rhinoplasties tend to get the most attention. While cosmetic changes to the nose can greatly benefit self-image and self-esteem, the functional reasons for a Miami nose job can change a patient’s life in another way. Whether it’s breathing troubles or a nasal injury that troubles you, a medically necessary rhinoplasty has many benefits to offer. Learn more about nasal surgery and how it could correct even a life-long nasal issue.
Common Nasal Function Problems
According to recent data, roughly 70 percent of rhinoplasty patients in North America seek the procedure to correct some sort of functional problem. These can include many different things, from mildly bothersome to more serious in nature. The most common nasal function problems include:
Allergies and Sinus Congestion
Nasal allergies and congestion can be very annoying issues for many people, especially those who suffer from seasonal allergies. The inflammation caused by the allergens can make it difficult to breathe through the nose and cause runny noses.
Sinus Infections
Sinus infections can result in various symptoms, such as sinus headaches that can significantly impact one’s daily activities. Inflammation of the sinuses due to upper respiratory tract infections hinders proper drainage, leading to increased pressure and resulting in pain and discomfort.
Septal deviation
A deviated septum is the most common cause of breathing problems in adults and affects up to 80 percent of people. The condition occurs when the cartilage that separates the two nostrils (septum) is off-center or crooked. This leads to difficulty breathing through one nostril and even an imbalance of pressure between both sides of the nose.
Enlarged turbinates
A surgical procedure can help to improve nasal passages and treat sleep apnea by reducing the size of enlarged turbinates. Enlarged turbinates narrow the nasal passages and divide into four separate airways, which can lead to breathing issues during both wakefulness and sleep. The turbinate reduction opens up the nasal passages and reduces any associated breathing problems. This type of nose job Miami also helps with snoring since it opens up the airway and allows more air to flow freely.
Nasal polyps
Polyps are non-cancerous growths in the nasal cavities, usually caused by allergies or infections. They can cause airway obstruction and difficulty breathing, impaired sense of smell, headaches, and sinus pressure.
Nasal Trauma
Nasal trauma, such as a broken nose or facial injury caused by an accident, can lead to a crooked or misshapen nose. Functional nose surgery can be used to repair the damage and restore normal nasal function.
Nasal Valve Collapse
Nasal valve collapse is a condition where the narrowest portion of the nasal passages collapses, causing obstruction and difficulty breathing.
Prior Rhinoplasty Problems
Revision rhinoplasty is a type of surgery that can be used to correct functional issues caused by a prior rhinoplasty. These issues may include nasal obstruction, breathing difficulties, or asymmetry of the nasal bones.
Candidates for a Functional Rhinoplasty
A good candidate for rhinoplasty surgery of any kind should be in good overall health, not smoke, and have realistic expectations of what can be achieved by their procedure. Many functional rhinoplasty patients have a common goal: to regain full functionality of their noses.
If your surgical objective is only functional in nature, you’ll want to be sure to discuss your concerns and your needs clearly with a facial plastic surgeon experienced in nose surgery. For those who are interested in combining cosmetic changes with a functional rhinoplasty procedure, expressing your feelings to your facial plastic surgeon is the best way to get started. It’s not uncommon for patients to take the opportunity to improve their nasal function while also resolving unwanted nasal features.
The Functional Rhinoplasty Procedure
There are two main types of rhinoplasty surgery, the open and the closed approach. Choosing which technique to use is ultimately up to your surgeon, who will base his decision on your needs, the changes required to achieve the desired results, and your nasal structure.
In a closed, or endonasal, rhinoplasty Miami, all of the incisions are made inside the nostrils where they won’t be visible after healing. The skin is then lifted from the underlying cartilage and bone so that the nose can be recontoured and reconstructed. In an open or external rhinoplasty procedure, one small incision is made between the nostrils on the underside of the nose. It allows the surgeon access to the tip of the nose, which can be opened up to reveal the structures of the lower and middle third of the nose.
For a functional rhinoplasty, the procedure will be designed on an individual basis to suit each patient’s unique needs. Sometimes, cartilage and bone grafts are used to add support to the nasal structure, often taken from the nasal septum itself. Reshaping and additional grafting are sometimes used to achieve the functionality required.
Your incisions will vary based on where and how your surgeon must access the treatment area. Discuss the details of your functional nose job with your facial plastic surgeon during your consultation so you’ll know exactly what to expect.
Recovery from a Functional Nose Job
After the procedure is complete, internal structures will need time to heal. A nasal cast and/or nasal splint may be applied to help keep the nose in its new shape until it fully heals. The healing time can vary from patient to patient, but generally speaking, it can take several weeks for all of the swelling and bruising to dissipate. During this period, you’ll want to make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions regarding the care of your nose.
Evaluating Success After a Functional Rhinoplasty
Once your corrective nasal surgery is complete and you’ve healed completely, you shouldn’t be wondering if your surgery was successful. Hopefully, you’ll start noticing improved breathing or other nasal function as soon as your swelling begins to subside. If your issue is harder to evaluate, or you’re not noticing a difference, it’s important to have your nasal function evaluated. You will likely be asked to do this anyhow, to compare your post-surgery nose with the old version of itself.
To evaluate your improvements, first, meet with your rhinoplasty surgeon. He will assess how well your nose has healed and if it has met the surgical objective. An ear, nose, and throat specialist or rhinologist can be consulted to further this evaluation, examining the nose with an endoscope or possibly a CT scan to check your nasal health and structure. Your general practitioner or allergy specialist can also provide inside into your improvements, if any. Overall, you should be able to notice a significant improvement in your post-rhinoplasty nasal function, even without a medical opinion.
Improve Your Nasal Function With a Rhinoplasty Expert!
All noses and all expectations are different, but Dr. Bustillo takes pride in performing the most natural nose job possible and making sure that his clients are ecstatic with the result. Dr. Bustillo can be contacted at 305-663-3380 or schedule an appointment at his Miami-based practice. His team will be there to answer questions and help you to plan your initial consultation. It is important to conduct this consultation after becoming familiar with Dr. Bustillo’s approach and reading about the way he views rhinoplasty surgery.
