Adding tip lift to Septoplasty? (Photo)

Question

I have a deviated septum I am looking to have fixed in the San Antonio area, but am curious if I could slightly lift and reduce the tip of my nose in the process since insurance will already be covering things like anesthetic for the medically necessary portion. Would this be a major cost? I attached an example of the slight change I am somewhat looking for to not drag my features down so much.

Jacob Tower, MD · Answer

Hello, hope you are well. Your question can be separated into a few parts. On a technical level, you are interested in changing your surgery from a septoplasty to a septorhinoplasty. You will want to do the procedures at the same time for a number of good reasons (consolidating recovery time, availability of septal cartilage grafts, etc). Changing the position of the tip is the rhinoplasty portion of that procedure, alongside any other aesthetic modifications you want. Your insurance will likely provide partial reimbursement for the septoplasty portion of the surgery. This is done frequently, and you would need to have a consultation with a surgeon to discover the associated rhinoplasty cost. 
Best,Dr. Tower

Christian L. Stallworth, MD · Answer

This is a common question - with a complex answer.  
1.  Insurance will only cover the facility fees and anesthesia expenses for the time the surgeon spends doing the septoplasty.  Thus - even though you will already be in the operating room to fix your septum, you will still incur the costs of a.  the surgeon to make the aesthetic changes you desire, b. the anesthesia costs for the time spend operating beyond the septoplasty, and c.  an the added expense for the surgery facility for operating beyond the time of the septoplasty.
2.  To lift and rotate the tip, the techniques and approaches required are more complex and time consuming than you might think.
3.  From your limited photos, you have characteristics of something referred to as a "tension nose" - one example is seen when you are lifting the tip of the nose, it is drawing your lip even higher - everything attached to the tip needs to be addressed along with this tip to ensure longevity, proportion, etc.
4.  In my practice, we often combine these procedures and can discuss how they are billed and paid for.  
5.  To achieve what you likely want, a complete rhinoplasty will likely be recommended.
I would recommend an in-person consultation with an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon to fully discuss your nose, have an exam, etc.  We are in San Antonio and happy to meet with you should you want.

Best wishes.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Tryling to lift the tip up only will not give you a decent result so I wouldn’t bother. Also the good old days of getting septal work done and then getting a free rhinoplasty are over. Insurance companies and hospitals are wise to this

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A full rhinoplasty will be required if you decide you want to change the shape of your nose. You will not be able to perform a tip-plasty only. This would include shaving down the dorsal hump, reducing the overall projection of your nose, reducing the bulbous nasal tip, and reducing the hanging columella and prominent nasal spine. A closed rhinoplasty approach can accomplish your goals with all the incisions placed on the inside of the nose. No external incisions are required, and no painful packing is required either. Digital computer imaging of your nose upon your facial features would also be helpful to understand what can be accomplished with the procedure. Rhinoplasty is much more difficult than a septoplasty, so choose your rhinoplasty specialist very wisely based on extensive experience producing natural results

Adding tip lift to Septoplasty? (Photo)

Answers (4)

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