What Nasal Issues Can Functional Rhinoplasty Address?

Reshaping the nose for aesthetic purposes is often the first thing that comes to mind when you think of rhinoplasty surgery, but many patients actually undergo rhinoplasty surgery for functional reasons. Oftentimes, in fact, a rhinoplasty can result in both cosmetic and functional improvements. The board-certified surgeons with membership in The Rhinoplasty Society — serving patients nationwide — are committed to helping patients find relief from obstructive symptoms and other functional nasal issues, as well as achieve their aesthetic goals, using the most innovative and effective rhinoplasty techniques available today. Consider some of the functional benefits of rhinoplasty surgery here to learn more about how this life-changing procedure could help you.

What is functional rhinoplasty?

Like any nose job, functional nose surgeries are customized based on the patient's unique anatomy, symptoms, and other individual factors. Some of the functional nasal surgeries most often performed include septoplasty, turbinoplasty, and others. Again, however, each procedure can be custom-tailored to align with the patient's specific case.

What are the reasons for a functional rhinoplasty?

There are several symptoms, anatomical abnormalities, and other reasons why a functional nose job may be recommended, such as:

• Difficulty breathing freely through the nose
• Enlarged turbinates
• Deviated septum
• Obstructed nasal airway
• Snoring
• Sleep apnea

It's important to understand that a functional rhinoplasty may not be appropriate for everyone's obstructive breathing conditions and that a comprehensive evaluation will be necessary to determine whether there may be underlying or complementary conditions that could be contributing to a patient's symptoms.

Will functional rhinoplasty change the appearance of my nose?

While many patients enjoy the opportunity to reshape or resize their nose at the same time they improve their breathing and other symptoms during functional rhinoplasty, some men and women have concerns about changing the appearance of their nose too drastically, particularly if they are already happy with the aesthetics of their nose. Our experienced and knowledgeable members of The Rhinoplasty Society understand that every person's goals are unique, and our member surgeons take ample time to discuss your concerns and the available options that can best help you achieve your desired outcome. During your initial consultation for functional rhinoplasty, your surgeon will help you better understand how and why the procedure may impact the cosmetic features of your nose.

Depending on the specific approach used, some minor changes may be unavoidable. For instance, patients whose small or asymmetric nostrils contribute to difficulty breathing through the nose may require a procedure that subtly alters the size or shape of the nostrils. Patients whose obstructed breathing is associated with a deviated septum or crooked nose may notice small changes — which are often aesthetically pleasing — in the alignment or width of the nasal bridge. Again, your surgeon can help you better understand and visualize how functional rhinoplasty may impact the size, shape, width, and other characteristics of your nose as structural changes are made to improve your obstructive breathing symptoms.

Open up a whole new world of possibilities with functional rhinoplasty

If difficulty breathing through your nose is causing problems exercising, sleeping, or even making social situations awkward and uncomfortable, you may have nasal abnormalities that could be improved or corrected with a functional rhinoplasty. To learn more about your options for functional nasal surgery and to find a board-certified nasal surgeon and member of The Rhinoplasty Society, don't hesitate to contact us or browse our full list of surgeons here.