Septoplasty has left my left nostril larger than before. Is it possible to correct it back to its original size? Can rhinoplasty fix this kind of problem?
Very often patients have asymmetry of the nostrils due to the crooked end of the septum pushing into one side of the nostrils. A rhinoplasty specialist will be able to correct this problem, usually by removing the deviated part of the end of the septum and restoring the symmetry of the nostrils.
We are often asked by patients whether nostril asymmetry can be corrected. This is something that often really bothers people a lot even though they know that no one else really sees their nostrils on a regular basis (except for maybe the family pet). The answer depends on the cause of the asymmetry.
Much of the time, it is caused by asymmetry of the cartilages that make up the tip of the nose. You can be born this way but, more often than not, it happens from over-aggressive previous surgery. In this case, fixing the cartilage problems will go a long way towards improving nostril symmetry.
Sometimes, one nostril is just naturally smaller or shaped differently than the other one. The nostrils can be made to appear more similar in size and shape, but they may not be made perfectly symmetrical. This is usually cosmetically acceptable because noses and faces aren’t naturally perfectly symmetrical. So, the goal is to have every aspect of your nose look nice, natural, internally balanced, harmonious with other features and unoperated upon.
When there is a major difference in nostril symmetry, such as in someone with a cleft lip and palate, deficient bone and soft tissue is often responsible. In these situations, we have to do a lot of work including grafting to get things looking more similar. But, even in these cases, improvements can be had.
We encourage you to discuss your particular concerns with your surgeon directly, so you can be evaluated individually.
Persistent deviation of your septum or asymmetry of the tip cartilages may have caused your problem. An experienced surgeon could improve the appearance of your very thick uneven tip as well as improve your nasal breathing.
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