About how thick do surgeons typically leave a septum when performing a septorhinoplasty?

Hello! Thank you for your question. As far as I can understand from your question the thickness is depends on your nose. I cannot make a proper evaluation without any photo. If you can provide photos from front of your face, from the side of your face and 1 meter away I would be able to make a proper evaluation. Best Regards!

Hello and thank you for your question. The septum thickness in unchanged during a septoplasty.
A dorsal and caudal component of the cartilage has to be maintained, however, to optimize stability and structure of the nose profile -- this is called an L-strut and should be about 1.5cm wide along the dorsal and caudal aspect of the septum. I am unsure about the bending sensation/pressure you're experiencing as you lean your head to the side -- you may have some residual congestion or sinus pathology. I would suggest an ENT evaluation where a fiberoptic exam of your nasal passages may be helpful.

For more information on rhinoplasty, please refer to my link below.

Good luck.

Mark K Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS
Harvard-trained Board Certified Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

The thickness of septal cartilage that is left behind is the thickness of your own septal cartilage--that dimensions is typically not modified in any way. You should see your rhinoplasty surgeon (or another specialist) regarding the symptoms you are having.