The nose job, or rhinoplasty, is the top cosmetic surgery performed in the United States, with more than 350,000 procedures in 2020 alone. While aesthetics are the primary reasons behind its popularity, there are several non-cosmetic reasons why people turn to us for nasal reconstruction.
At our practice, Dr. Robert A. Guida is a double-board-certified plastic surgeon who has considerable experience helping people reshape their noses with a rhinoplasty. In this month’s blog post, we want to focus on the ways in which a rhinoplasty can serve roles outside of the traditional nose job.
Breathing Easier
In an ideal world, your nose is neatly divided into two unobstructed passageways that allow air to flow freely. When there’s an issue that prevents this unobstructed airflow, it can create problems with breathing.
For example, the cartilage and bone divider in your nose — your septum — may be off-center, creating uneven nostrils. To correct the deviated septum, we can turn to a simple septoplasty, in which we only address this piece of tissue.
If your breathing is obstructed because of an internal or external nasal valve collapse, however, we then turn to a rhinoplasty to reshape your nose to encourage equal air pressure.
Our point here is that we offer smaller endoscopic surgeries that correct issues like a deviated septum or nasal polyps, but your breathing problems may be more involved and require more extensive nasal reconstruction. In these cases, we turn to a rhinoplasty, during which we can resolve all structural issues in one procedure.
Tackling trauma
If you’ve had trauma to your nose, and the external and internal structures were fractured or altered, a rhinoplasty is a fantastic tool for restoring function and appearance. If you leave a broken nose to heal on its own, it may do so incorrectly, and you might be left with functional issues down the road.
Through a rhinoplasty, we can repair fractures, ensure proper function, and restore the shape of your nose all at once.
Addressing congenital issues
Approximately 1 in 1,600 babies in the United States is born with cleft lips and a cleft palate. In some cases, the deformity can extend up to the nose, creating structural issues, such as severely uneven nostrils, that render breathing difficult.
Through a rhinoplasty, we can address cleft lip and palate problems that affect the nose to allow for better form and function.
Rhinoplasty revision
Dr. Guida excels in helping clients to revise previous nose jobs to better suit their goals. While not common, sometimes a past rhinoplasty can lead to functional issues, such as difficulty breathing or sinus issues, and we can correct the problem through revision rhinoplasty.
If you’d like to learn more about nasal reconstruction or schedule a consultation for a rhinoplasty, call either of our two New York City locations, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan or on Staten Island, or book an appointment online.
