Naples Plastic Surgeons Detail How Rhinoplasty Addresses Nasal Concerns

When someone is described as unable to “see past the end of their nose,” it’s typically caused by their preoccupation with something that limits their ability to see the bigger picture. In some cases, their focus might center on the nose itself, especially in those experiencing chronic nasal issues or who have aesthetic concerns about the appearance of their nose, the most prominent feature of one’s face.

Not that they want to put their collective nose in anyone’s personal life, but the cosmetic surgeons at southwest Florida’s Naples Plastic Surgery have a solution for anyone who finds themselves overly preoccupied by their nose, whether on a functional or aesthetic basis, or both. Commonly referred to as nose reshaping, rhinoplasty is a dual-purpose surgery that can significantly enhance the shape of one’s nose and facial symmetry and correct structural problems that cause problematic nasal issues. According to an interim survey by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, rhinoplasty has been a top-10 most frequently performed cosmetic procedure since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic. According to the society, rhinoplasty was the most performed cosmetic procedure in 2019 and 2020.

What Does Rhinoplasty Entail?

Because everyone’s nose is distinctly different, rhinoplasty is personalized for each patient according to nose structure and the patient’s functional and aesthetic goals. Rhinoplasty involves reshaping of the interior nasal structure. Common complaints include a large nose with a dorsal hump, a rounded or drooping tip, or deviation of the nose and/or septum.

Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, depending on surgical complexity and patient preference. Patients recover at home, with limited activities for about 1 week and bruising that may last up to one month. Swelling of the nose tends to improve significantly over the first 6 to 8 weeks, but will take 6 to 12 months to see final results.

Rhinoplasty to Correct Deviated Septum

Most rhinoplasties involve correcting a deviated septum, which refers to the malformation of the cartilage partition between the two nasal cavities, called the nasal septum. A deviated septum can occur naturally or be caused by an injury, such as a broken nose. Deviations in the septum can impede airflows through the nose and cause several health issues, including:

• Chronic sinus infections
• Ongoing sinus congestion
• Excessive snoring
• Postnasal drip
• Facial pain
• Headaches
• Nosebleeds

Along with addressing these health-related issues, a rhinoplasty helps straighten the nose to enhance its symmetry with the rest of the face.

Other Nasal Issues That Rhinoplasty Can Address

While a deviated septum causes most nasal-related breathing problems, several other genetic-, disease-, and trauma-related issues can affect breathing through the nose. Among these are:

• Enlarged turbinates or other mucosal structures within the nose
• Trauma-induced nasal valve collapse
• Nasal polyps of other tissue masses
• Small nostrils
• Narrow nasal bridge

In most cases, these issues can be corrected during a rhinoplasty, which can also serve to address any aesthetic concerns.

Aesthetic Corrections Offered by Rhinoplasty

While rhinoplasty can address many nasal-related health issues—especially when caused by a deviated septum—rhinoplasty is also highly popular for its success in improving the nose’s appearance. In fact, rhinoplasty is often used to correct aesthetic damage caused by a broken nose. Among the most common aesthetic-related rhinoplasty targets are:

• Nasal hump on the bridge of the nose
• Overly broad nose bridge
• Uneven or crooked nose bridge
• Bulbous, hooked, or upturned nose tips
• Large nostrils

Contact Naples Plastic Surgery to Discuss Your Rhinoplasty

Whether to address nasal-related health issues, aesthetics, or both, Dr. Leo Baccaro, Dr. Mark Walsh, and Dr. Andrew Bonett specialize in delivering outstanding, natural-looking rhinoplasty results to their Naples, Florida-area patients. To schedule your rhinoplasty consultation, contact Naples Plastic Surgery today at 239.566.2611.