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!

Raghu Athre, MD · Answer

Almost every rhinoplasty includes a septoplasty as part of the procedure.  Do not have a septo if you are planning on getting a rhino down the road.  Doing so will essentially make your rhinoplasty a revision case because of scarring internally between the septal flaps.Do it together!

David F. LaPatka, MD (retired) · Answer

I would do both together since there is rarely an urgency to do a septoplasty .  You have a minimal hump and I would suggest imaging so you can discern possible result with and without a chin implant or other augmentation depending on your occlusion. It is imperative that you have a finesse rhinoplasty  since over resection of the dorsal hump will not achieve your desired result . There is no true lateral view so it is difficult to say but it looks as though your nose may be slightly over projecting. In conclusion , you are a pretty girl whether you do your rhinoplasty or not.Best

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)

More Rhinoplasty Questions

Why is my nose tip discolored one year post rhinoplasty? (photo)

Is my rhinoplasty columella strut graft too short?

What is this permanent dark shadow on the bridge of my nose and how can I fix it? (photo)

Is it normal for the nasal bone to still feel sore 3 months after a rhinoplasty?

Stuffy nose after rhinoplasty? I had rhinoplasty about 10 days ago.

I want this bump on my nose to be flattened... around how much would it cost? (Photos)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS