Understanding Rhinoplasty and Septorhinoplasty Surgery
What You Should Know About Nose Reshaping and Functional Correction
Rhinoplasty, often referred to as a nose job, is one of the most common facial surgeries performed today. While many people pursue rhinoplasty to enhance the appearance of their nose, it’s also widely used to correct structural issues that can interfere with breathing.
When a functional component is involved, such as improving airflow through the nasal passages, the procedure is called septorhinoplasty surgery.
Whether you’re seeking facial balance or relief from breathing difficulties, this procedure can make a significant impact on your quality of life and self-confidence.
What Is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes the nose for aesthetic or functional reasons. It can address concerns like a dorsal hump, wide nostrils, a bulbous tip, or a crooked bridge. In a rhinoplasty operation, the surgeon carefully modifies the nasal bones, cartilage, and soft tissue to improve appearance, structure, or both.
When the surgery also corrects a deviated septum or other internal blockages that restrict breathing, it’s referred to as septorhinoplasty. This dual-purpose approach enhances both form and function.
Who Might Benefit from Rhinoplasty?
You may be a candidate for rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty if you:
- Are dissatisfied with the size, shape, or proportions of your nose
- Have difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils
- Have a deviated septum or nasal trauma
- Experience chronic nasal congestion not improved with medication
- Seek to restore nasal symmetry after injury or previous surgery
- Are in good general health and have realistic expectations
If these concerns sound familiar, a consultation with a qualified facial plastic surgeon can help determine whether rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty is the right path to achieve your goals.
Real Results: Rhinoplasty & Septorhinoplasty
What Happens During a Rhinoplasty Operation?
Rhinoplasty is typically performed under general anesthesia and may take 1 to 3 hours, depending on complexity. Your surgeon will use either an open or closed approach:
- Open rhinoplasty – An incision is made across the columella (the strip of tissue between the nostrils), offering greater visibility and access.
- Closed rhinoplasty – Incisions are hidden inside the nostrils, making recovery faster and scarring minimal.
Once inside, the surgeon reshapes bone, cartilage, and soft tissue to achieve the desired outcome. For septorhinoplasty surgery, internal structures like the nasal septum are also straightened or corrected to improve airflow.
What to Expect During Recovery
Recovery timelines vary depending on the complexity of the rhinoplasty:
- First week – Nasal splints or dressings may be worn. Expect swelling, bruising, and mild congestion.
- 2–3 weeks – Most bruising fades. Light activity can usually resume.
- 3+ months – Swelling continues to subside gradually.
- 6–12 months – Final nasal contours take shape and results become fully refined.
Your surgeon may recommend gentle lymphatic massage to support drainage and reduce swelling after surgery.
At specialized practices, advanced options like photobiomodulation therapy are also available to minimize bruising, accelerate healing, and improve overall recovery, especially after revision rhinoplasty or other complex rhinoplasty procedures.
Choosing the Right Surgeon
Whether your goals are aesthetic, functional, or both, rhinoplasty is one of the most technically challenging plastic surgery procedures. Choosing a facial plastic surgeon who specializes in both cosmetic and reconstructive nasal surgery is essential.
Board certification, before-and-after photos, and transparent consultation are key indicators of surgical expertise.
Considering Rhinoplasty or Septorhinoplasty?
If you’re considering rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty, trust your face to a specialist. With over 20 years of experience and double board certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Richard Balikian blends advanced surgical skill with an artistic eye to deliver natural-looking, functional results.
Schedule your personalized consultation today and take the next step with confidence.
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Rhinoplasty & Septorhinoplasty FAQs
What’s the difference between rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty focuses on cosmetic reshaping of the nose—refining the bridge, tip, profile, or symmetry. Septorhinoplasty includes functional work (septum repair, internal airway support) plus aesthetic adjustments, balancing form and breathing.
When is septoplasty alone sufficient instead of full rhinoplasty?
If your main concern is nasal obstruction due to deviated septum (without aesthetic dissatisfaction), septoplasty (sometimes combined with turbinate reduction) may suffice. A recent meta-analysis of RCTs confirmed septoplasty improves obstruction symptoms at 6 and 12 months compared to non-surgical approaches.
Does adding functional work (septum/turbinates) affect aesthetic outcome?
Modern techniques aim to perform functional and cosmetic correction in integrated fashion. One study found that functional or aesthetic factors can each influence patient satisfaction post-septorhinoplasty; balancing both is key.
Can tranexamic acid (TXA) help reduce bleeding in rhinoplasty / septorhinoplasty?
Yes. A recent meta-analysis across rhinoplasty and septoplasty procedures showed adding TXA significantly reduces intraoperative blood loss compared to controls.
Which is better: open approach or closed (endonasal) rhinoplasty?
A 2022 systematic review of outcomes found that open and closed approaches yield similar patient satisfaction, aesthetic and functional results; there’s no universally superior method—choice depends on anatomy and surgeon preference.
What are typical revision rates and risk factors after septorhinoplasty?
Large retrospective reviews report revision rates in the ballpark of ~5-15%, depending on complexity and follow-up. Risk factors include structural under-correction, postoperative nasal obstruction, poor wound healing, or surgical planning errors.
Are pediatric patients at higher risk of needing revision septoplasty?
Yes. One cohort study found pediatric patients had a higher revision septoplasty (or conversion to rhinoplasty) rate than adults—2.9% pediatric vs 1.1% adult revision in one large database.
Can rhinoplasty / septorhinoplasty influence brain or olfactory function?
Functional septorhinoplasty may lead to structural changes in brain regions involved in olfaction, according to neuroimaging work, highlighting the interplay between nasal airflow and brain networks.
Is the nasal septum essential from an aesthetic standpoint?
Absolutely. The septum provides central support for the nose. Many publications discuss the coupling between septal structure and nasal aesthetic outcomes. Proper septal work is foundational to both stable form and function.
How do I choose whether my surgeon should prioritize structure, skin envelope, or support grafts?
Ask how they plan to support mid-vault, tip, and dorsum. A balanced approach considers integrity of cartilage, minimizing overresection, and using grafts (spreader, columellar, etc.) to maintain both aesthetics and airway. Outcomes literature supports that neglecting support leads to collapse/deformity.
What is the role of 3D imaging or simulation in rhinoplasty planning?
3D simulation tools help communicate changes and improve alignment between patient expectation and surgical plan. Automated assessment systems are emerging: e.g. a recent ML framework quantified nasal aesthetic improvements across many cases.
Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Richard Balikian is a renowned facial plastic surgeon known for his dedication to patients throughout Southern California.
With more than two decades of experience and double board certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, he brings together surgical precision and an artist’s eye.
Dr. Balikian is among a select group of specialists whose advanced training is devoted entirely to procedures of the face and neck.
Learn More About Surgical and Non-Surgical Procedures
Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery: Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Tyler Frew, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
