I Have a Hump on my Nose As Well As a Deviated Septum. Will a Septoplasty Help the Hump's Appearance?

The septum is the cartilage and bone that divides both sides of the nose.  If a septum is deviated (a diagnosis made by a phyisician upon looking inside the nose), you can experience blockage from one side or both sides of the nose.  Typically, blockage from a deviated septum results in a fixed obstruction, that is, it does not fluctuate from side to side.  Although a deviated septum can contribute to the outside appearance of a crooked nose, a septoplasty alone only addresses the inside deviation of the cartilage in order to correct the breathing problem.  In order to address the outside appearance of the nose a more involved procedure needs to be performed such as a rhinoplasty.  Any change to the outside appearance to the nose is referred to as a rhinoplasty.

Septoplasty is covered by insurance if your airway is obstructed. Removal of the hump is separate but of low cost. 

   Insurance, if it covers anything, will cover a septoplasty, if breathing is compromised due to septal deflection.  The crooked nature of the nose may be the result of bone and cartilage.  The part of the septum that is fixed with the septoplasty for breathing does not affect the look of the nose.  However, the dorsal septum can be reshaped through a variety of maneuvers to make the nose straight.  The rhinoplasty will help with the hump.  The cost of a rhinoplasty may range from $5000 to $15000, depending upon complexity.  Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs HUNDREDS of rhinoplasties each year.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Surgery to straighten a deviated septum is referred to as a septoplasty.  Sometime severe septal deviation, especially of the dorsal septum, can result in deviation of the entire nose and a crooked appearance.  Septoplasty alone typically does not change the external appearance of the nose.

Removing the hump on your nose is considered rhinoplasty.  Septorhinoplasty with straightening of the septum and removal of a dorsal hump is a very common combination which results in improved appearance together with improved breathing.  

 A septoplasty is performed for medical necessity to improve airflow dynamics through the nose. This is billed the patient's medical insurance, but  remember co-pays and deductibles will apply. A deviated septum is composed of twisted bone and cartilage on the inside of the nose. A rhinoplasty is performed for cosmetic purposes and is  paid for by the patient and will affect changes on the outside of the nose. Rhinoplasty and septoplasty are 2 completely separate operations.