At FacesFirst, rhinoplasty and septoplasty are commonly combined to address both form and function. Considering that the national revision rate for rhinoplasty is about 10-15% but Dr. Cote’s rate is less than 1%, it’s evident that combining these procedures is almost always beneficial.

What is the Difference Between Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic nose surgery that targets aesthetic conditions like a dorsal bump, broad nasal tip, or overly large nose that does not fit the patient’s face. Septoplasty is a functional surgery that repairs a deviated septum, the interior wall between the two nostrils. There are several overlapping components of these surgeries, which is why Dr. Cote almost always combines them in his innovative septo-rhinoplasty approach.

When the septum deviates, part of the wall blocks the airway in the nose, making it difficult to breathe. During the septoplasty procedure, pieces of the cartilage and bone are removed to open up the nasal passages and correct breathing problems and/or sinus issues. This cartilage and bone can be used as the cartilage graft for a rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty restructures the nose and reshapes cartilage and bone to improve the outer shape of the nose. The cartilage graft obtained during septoplasty can be used as the structural component of rhinoplasty to reinforce and strengthen the nasal bridge and tip from the inside.

Benefits of a Combined Procedure

Combining functional and cosmetic surgeries into one procedure is always beneficial. These are some of the key reasons you should consider a combined septoplasty and rhinoplasty procedure at FacesFirst Cosmetic Surgery:

Better Results

Unlike other plastic surgeons, Dr. Cote has a background in both ENT work and facial plastic surgery. He knows that combining structural work with septoplasty is the gold standard for rhinoplasty. If the structure is not considered, patients could be at risk of a pinched nose and difficulty breathing after rhinoplasty, even if they did not have breathing problems before. This is one of the main problems he addresses with revisional rhinoplasty.

Simplified Procedure

Dr. Cote often sees patients who have had septoplasty years before and now want rhinoplasty to address aesthetic concerns. This can be problematic since the cartilage and bone needed to restructure the nose were removed. Instead, cartilage from the ribs or ears will have to be used to create a structural graft for the nose. Having a septoplasty with your rhinoplasty to address functional and cosmetic concerns prevents this complicated procedure.

Save on Costs

Surgery is a big expense. Many of these costs are for the operation room, consultations, and your anesthesiologist. When you combine nose surgeries, you only have to book the operating room once and you won’t have as many consultations. Additionally, patients who come in for a septo-rhinoplasty consultation receive a functional and cosmetic evaluation for a more comprehensive approach.

A diagnostic nasal endoscopy will be used to see all the nasal passages from front to back and patients with sinus issues or previous trauma to the nose will receive a CAT scan. This gives Dr. Cote a complete picture of the nose so there are no unexpected complications during surgery. A severe deviated septum is noticeable, but patients often don’t realize they have slight deviations that could be limiting their nasal function. From the cosmetic perspective, photographs will be taken, and patients will be shown digital simulations of how different changes to their noses will look in proportion to their facial features.

Safety

It’s always important to receive rhinoplasty from a surgeon who addresses form and function. However, even when performed by the most skilled surgeons in a safe environment, there is always the possibility of risks and complications during or after surgery. Some of the most common include excessive bleeding and infection. Only having to go under once for combined nose surgery cuts these risks in half. Additionally, surgery and the healing process puts the body under a lot of stress so it’s always better to undergo one operation than several.

Recovery Time

One of the main inconveniences of plastic surgery is having to take time off work to rest and recover. Having these procedures separately means two recovery periods. Instead, you can combine rhinoplasty and septoplasty surgery for one recovery. Patients will have a cast and visible sutures that will be removed in one week. Most normal activities can be resumed after one week, but more strenuous exercise and contact sports should be avoided for 6-8 weeks.

Full healing and reduction in swelling can take several months. If you have these procedures separately, you might have to wait 6-12 months between surgeries to fully recover before the second one. That means athletes might have to miss out on two different seasons for separate recoveries.

Functional Rhinoplasty in Denver

If you are looking for an exceptional rhinoplasty surgeon who will address all your concerns during rhinoplasty surgery, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at FacesFirst Cosmetic Surgery in Denver, CO. Dr. Cote will thoroughly examine your nose and discuss your cosmetic concerns to determine the best techniques for your individual procedure.