I can’t afford rhinoplasty right now and according to my ENT I have to have septoplasty ASAP. Is it OK to do separate? (photos)

Question

I really want rhinoplasty. I definitely want a hump reduction. When i smile my nose gets very wide and from the front creates almost a piggish look with my nostrils (not sure what the issue is on my nose that causes that). But i keep getting sick and i need septoplasty, draining of my check sinuses and turbinate reduction asap. Should i wait & do them all together with plastic surgeon or do them separately for financial/insurance purposes?

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

You need a chin implant to balance out your nose, which is not so bad overall.  The bump on the nose should be taken down as the same time as the septoplasty. It is extremely unlikely that anybody needs a septoplasty urgently.

Paul N. Afrooz, MD · Answer

I would recommend waiting and doing these surgeries together.  Scarring from a septoplasty will make the subsequent rhinoplasty more complicated.  In addition, the portion of the septum that is usually removed during septoplasty is frequently used as graft material in rhinoplasty.  If you stage these procedures, the amount of material available for grafting will be significantly less.

Sachin S. Pawar, MD · Answer

Hello! If you are considering a cosmetic rhinoplasty at some point in your future but cannot afford this right now, I would highly encourage you to hold off on moving forward with the septoplasty. The nasal obstruction that may be caused by your deviated septum and enlarged turbinates is purely a quality of life issue and there is no reason you would have to pursue this urgently. It may also be possible to combine a functional septoplasty (paid by insurance) with a cosmetic rhinoplasty (self pay) and potentially achieve some cost savings. Good luck!

Anup Dhir, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for sharing your photos. It would be advisable to do the two procedures together. It would be best if you speak to your ENT surgeon and see if you could wait a while.

Leslie Kim, MD, MPH · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos.  If you are definitely considering a rhinoplasty in the future, it would be beneficial for you to hold off on the septoplasty if possible, because septal cartilage is often utilized during rhinoplasty.  Depending on your symptoms and exam, you could consider medical treatment (i.e. for allergic rhinitis, which would not resolve with surgery anyway), inferior turbinate reduction, and/or sinus surgery in the interim.  Hope that helps, best of luck to you!

I can’t afford rhinoplasty right now and according to my ENT I have to have septoplasty ASAP. Is it OK to do separate? (photos)

Answers (7)

Answer: Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty

Answer: Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty

Answer: Timing of Septoplasty with Rhinoplasty Interest

Answer: Timing of Septoplasty with Rhinoplasty Interest

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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I can’t afford rhinoplasty right now and according to my ENT I have to have septoplasty ASAP. Is it OK to do separate? (photos)

Answers (7)

Answer: Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty

Answer: Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty

Answer: Timing of Septoplasty with Rhinoplasty Interest

Answer: Timing of Septoplasty with Rhinoplasty Interest

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.