Most people think of a cosmetic nose job when they hear the word “rhinoplasty.” While rhinoplasty can certainly address the aesthetic concerns related to your nose, it can also serve numerous functional purposes. Functional rhinoplasty can improve your breathing, sense of smell, sleep patterns, and more.
Improve breathing and sense of smell with a nose job
If you’re suffering from nasal symptoms, such as a reduced sense of smell, impaired breathing, nasal congestion, or dry mouth, despite appropriate medical treatment, there’s a strong chance you need functional nasal surgery. Structural issues inside the nose, such as a deviated septum or nasal valve collapse, can lead to numerous problems and symptoms that may necessitate a functional rhinoplasty. Dr. Hicks evaluates your nasal structure and identifies the root cause of your functional problems to develop a personalized rhinoplasty treatment plan.
What is functional rhinoplasty?
Functional rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that addresses structural and functional deformities inside the nose. Numerous structural problems can obstruct nasal breathing, such as a deviated septum, nasal valve collapse, or enlarged turbinates. A functional rhinoplasty can correct these structural deformities to improve your overall quality of life.
Functional rhinoplasty can address the following conditions:
Deviated Septum
Your nasal septum is the piece of cartilage and bone that separates your two nostrils. When your septum is deviated, you are likely to experience breathing problems, a reduced sense of smell, nasal congestion, headaches, and sinus infections. If you have a deviated septum, Dr. Hicks may perform a septoplasty, which involves modifying and repositioning the septum to ensure optimal breathing.
Nasal Polyps
Most nasal polyps are benign but can still lead to nasal problems. They can block airflow, cause breathing problems, and lead to frequent sinus infections. Dr. Hicks will perform thorough examinations to identify and remove the unwanted nasal polyps from the lining of the nasal passage, allowing you to breathe more comfortably.
Collapsed Nasal Valves
When your nasal valves collapses, you may experience crusty nostrils, severe nosebleeds, breathing problems, or congestion. Dr. Hicks may use various surgical techniques, such as spreader or rim grafts, to enhance the structural integrity of the nasal valves and make them stay open, thus allowing you to breathe comfortably.
Enlarged Turbinates
The turbinates are small structures on the inside of your nose that clean, warm, and humidify air before it enters your body. When the turbinates are enlarged, they can obstruct breathing and airflow. Dr. Hicks may perform an inferior turbinate reduction to shrink the turbinates and restore optimal airflow.
Your functional rhinoplasty consultation with Dr. Hicks
Functional rhinoplasty is a highly personalized procedure that addresses specific structural issues responsible for your breathing problems. During your consultation, Dr. Hicks asks about your symptoms and concerns and thoroughly reviews your medical history. After a comprehensive evaluation and discussion, she develops a personalized plan for functional rhinoplasty surgery to address your concerns. She describes the surgery in detail and answers all your questions to ensure transparency and understanding.
What can I expect after functional rhinoplasty?
After functional rhinoplasty, a nasal splint will be placed inside your nose, and a small cast will be placed outside your nose. Both are usually removed one week after surgery. You will experience some swelling, numbness, tenderness, bruising, and discomfort around your nose after surgery. Your nose may also feel congested and stuffed while the splints are in place – this will improve when the splints are removed. You may resume work and light exercise after a week, and you may slowly increase activity back to your normal level, starting about 10-14 days after surgery. In most cases, you should wait 4 weeks before wearing glasses and 6-8 weeks before participating in contact sports. Although the results will continue to improve over several months, most patients feel comfortable in social situations after a week or two. It can take several months for your nose to heal completely. You should carefully follow Dr. Hicks’ postoperative guidelines to prevent complications and ensure a smooth recovery.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Hicks
Dr. Kate Hicks is a board-certified and double fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon specializing in rhinoplasty for people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. Whether you need a functional rhinoplasty, cosmetic rhinoplasty, or both, Dr. Hicks presents a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique concerns while maintaining natural-looking results. Please schedule a consultation with Dr. Hicks to explore your functional rhinoplasty options in Greenville, South Carolina.
