Ethmoid sinus issues, large turbinates, and a deviated septum - Why does my nose appear swollen? (photo)

Hello and thank you for your question and the picture. Your issue is due to wide nasal bones- it's nothing you did, some people just have wider bones due to their anatomy or genetics. Basically the outline of the lower edge your nasal bones is visible through the skin on your nose. Filler would not be able to correct this issue, and would be dangerous to inject in these locations (due to the risk of blindness)! You would need an open septorhinoplasty to properly correct your issue, address your septum, and solidly reinforce the entire underlying framework to assure you get the BEST long term results. Anyone who tells you otherwise is doing you a HUGE disservice!

That said, rhinoplasty truly a surgery of millimeters- and whether you're looking for a minor adjustment or a major transformation, it requires exceptional surgical skill to achieve functional and natural-looking results! Because your nose is the DEFINING feature of your face- I would only recommend seeing a surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty procedures, and who has significant training and experience performing these surgeries. I actually trained under one of the world leading rhinoplasty experts (who performs 1,000+ nosejobs annually).

I recommend for you to setup a formal consultation with me (or another plastic surgeon who is extremely comfortable with rhinoplasties) to thoroughly discuss your surgical goals, undergo a formal examination, evaluate your options, and develop a personalized plan just for you. I hope this helps!

Dr. Donald Groves
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

If the area that you're marked is firm to the touch, I suspect you are palpating your own nasal bones. The only way to reduce this appearance is by performing osteotomies during rhinoplasty surgery. I hope this helps! Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Non- surgical rhinoplasty (NSR) is a great option to improve your profile without surgery. It will not fix breathing issues or a deviated septum, but can provide a much pleasing appearance. And should you want that made permanent, and to correct your nasal functionality, then a surgical rhinoplasty is an easy transition. All the best from Boston!

Your concerns about the appearance of your nose, given your ethmoid sinus issues, large turbinates, and deviated septum, are understandable. Here are some insights into why your nose might appear swollen and potential non-surgical options:

Swelling Causes:

Ethmoid Sinus Issues: Chronic sinus inflammation can lead to swelling in the nasal area, contributing to a fuller appearance.
Large Turbinates: Enlarged turbinates can block airflow and cause congestion or swelling, impacting the external appearance of your nose.
Deviated Septum: While it primarily affects the internal structure, it can contribute to overall nasal obstruction, which might accentuate the appearance of swelling.
Non-Surgical Options:

Nasal Corticosteroids: These can reduce inflammation in the nasal passages and might help decrease any swelling associated with sinus issues.
Saline Nasal Sprays or Irrigation: Regular use can help maintain clear nasal passages and reduce congestion, potentially affecting the external appearance.
Allergy Management: If allergies contribute to inflammation, managing them with antihistamines or other medications may help reduce swelling.
Radiofrequency Turbinate Reduction: A minimally invasive procedure that can reduce the size of the turbinates, potentially improving nasal airflow and reducing swelling.
Consultation with an ENT Specialist: It’s important to have a thorough evaluation by an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist. They can assess the structural issues, provide a detailed diagnosis, and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.

Addressing the underlying causes of nasal swelling through medical management might improve your concerns without altering the shape you like.

Endoscopic sinus surgery is performed to address ethmoid sinus issues, and turbinate reduction is performed to reduce the size of the turbinates, and a septoplasty is performed when there is a deviated septum, present blocking airflow. This is all done internally in the back of the nose for functional purposes and billed to medical insurance. If you're interested in a cosmetic rhinoplasty, then you can narrow your wide nasal bones, and place spreader graphs underneath the inverted upper lateral cartilage is in the mid vault since your upper lateral cartilages and your nasal bones are not in continuity with each other and you have an inverted V deformity. Both cosmetic and functional breathing surgery can be done simultaneously under one anesthesia with one recovery.