Nose Surgery for Breathing Problems

Your surgery can most certainly be done without changing your look. In fact, the airway structures are often removed or repaired without changing the patient's appearance. This is mostly because those structures are deeper or require significant manipulation to chagne the look of the nose. This of course is assuming a properly done surgery. Be sure your plastic surgeon does plenty of these surgeries before signing up.
Best Wishes.

Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Rhinoplasty is not just a cosmetic procedure, it can be performed to improve your breathing as well. It is a low risk operation, but with any procedure on your face, you may have questions and concerns. Rhinoplasty will change the appearance of your nose. Best wishes!

Every patient is different when it comes to nasal breathing and the shape of the nose. In many cases, nasal breathing can be improved surgically without changing the shape of the nose much, if at all. This surgery might consist of septoplasty, turbinate reduction, and/or repair of the nasal valve. In some cases, septoplasty or nasal valve repair might change the shape of the nose somewhat, but these changes are usually relatively minor.
If there is significant nasal or septal collapse, such as a saddle nose deformity, it's possible that a full rhinoplasty procedure might be needed to rebuild the structure of the nose, which would change the shape of the nose as well.
Each procedure and patient are unique, so be sure to see a nasal expert like a facial plastic surgeon for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
All the best,

I have found that using computer imaging for rhinoplasty patients is an excellent teaching tool and helps allay a lot of fears patients have about "looking different" after surgery. I would suggest finding a physician who offers this during the rhinoplasty consultation to make sure you both are on the same page before your surgery.

A septoplasty and/or rhinoplasty can help improve your breathing and does not have to be performed in a manner that changes your profile or look. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian

Rhinoplasty will likely change the shape of your nose. The key to a successful outcome is your communication with your facial and nasal plastic surgeon. Make sure that your physician and his/her team performs a full internal and external nasal evaluation, and that all of your options and concerns are discussed in details prior to surgery.

Nose surgery can be done to improve your breathing without changing your looks. This type of surgery is primarily done by either ENT(ear nose and throat) surgeons or Facial Plastic surgeons trained in ENT as well. The myth that if you do a Septoplasty( fixing the septum) may change the outside of your nose is false.
Good Luck

Surgery can be done to improve your breathing without altering the shape of your nose if that is your desire. Most breathing problems are the result of septal deviations or enlarged turbinates or some combination thereof. Altering the outside of your nose generally will not improve nasal airway function unless the tip is hanging over the nostrils, there is pinching along the sides of your nose or collapse of your nasal valve. If those issues are not present, you should not need to have the outside of your nose changed to improve your breathing function. As far as snoring, nasal surgery itself has very limited benefit except that snoring may be indirectly improved if you improve breathing through your nose. Snoring itself is caused by the vibration of the soft palate and uvula which are in the back of your mouth. I hope this information helps.

In most cases, correction of the septum and turbinates inside the nose will be enough to fix nasal breathing problems. These treatments do not change the external shape of the nose. In some cases, the outer shape of the nose must be altered in order to fully correct the nasal obstruction (crooked nose, broken nose, or pinched nose).  All depends on your anatomy!

You can absolutely improve your nasal breathing without changing the outside appearance of your nose. 

In most cases, you can straighten your septum if crooked and reduce the size of your turbinates (the tissues in your nose that make you feel congested) without any external changes.  Also, if you have a narrowing of your nasal valve (the narrowest point of your entire airway) then a nasal valve repair can also be performed at the same time to maximize your nasal airway. 

These procedures can also help with recurrent sinus infections, snoring, and recurrent nosebleeds.  These procedures are generally covered by your insurance plan and are not considered cosmetic.