Why is One of my Nostrils Bigger Than the Other, but Yet I Don't Have Breathing Problems? (photo)

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photographs, you have a deviated septum and may benefit from septoplasty and a septal reset. This can be safely combined with rhinoplasty during the same surgical procedure. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

It appears that you have a deviated septum, but if you do not have any breathing problems and you like the way your nose looks, as a specialist in rhinoplasty surgery, I would recommend not doing surgery. No two nostrils are exactly alike so it is normal to have slight differences from one side to the other. If the difference bothers you, surgery would be recommended. Please keep in mind that from normal angles, the nostril asymmetry does not show. The cost of the procedure would vary based on location, the surgeon's experience and the facility it's performed in.

A little difference between the nostrils is very common, and very normal.
Differences can also be caused by trauma, which has resulted in deviation of the bone and outer cartilage, or perhaps because of septal deviation. Again, a little septal deviation can also be normal.
If you are not sure, it is definitely worth seeing a board certified (GMC registered) plastic surgeon who can have a look and advise you what your options are.

The main reasons to have surgery on the nose would be for either cosmetic purposes (appearance) or for functional purposes (nasal breathing). If a patient is breathing fine through the nose, there is no reason to perform surgery on a deviated septum.
Based on the photos provided, the overall shape of the nose is fine, but there appears to be some obstruction of the left nostril due to either deviation of the septum, or some irregularity of the cartilages at the tip of the nose. These issues can be corrected (or at least drastically improved) with surgery, but surgery would only be recommended if cosmetic changes are desired or there are nasal breathing problems.
Be sure to see a rhinoplasty expert.
All the best,

It is probably one of the more common questions my patients ask. It is normal for nostrils to be different in size or shape. Nostrils typically do not effect breathing unless they are very small or collapse while breathing. No surgery is necessary if there is no problem with breathing through the nose.