Cosmetic vs Medical Reasons for a Nose Job (Rhinoplasty) in Houston

In the U.S., rhinoplasty (nose job) is among the top five plastic surgery procedures surgeons perform. In 2017 alone, there were 218,000 nose reshaping surgeries performed, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeon's statistic report. People notice noses, which is why many individuals seek nose jobs and countless procedures are performed every year.

There are many reasons to get a nose job. For some individuals, getting a nose job is purely for cosmetic reasons. For others, however, they're not necessarily trying to improve their looks, but rather desiring to correct a medical condition or injury. Most rhinoplasty procedures for both medical and cosmetic are similar.

The difference between a cosmetic and medical nose job in Houston is whether or not you have full functionality of your nose without the procedure. If you do, then it's a cosmetic rhinoplasty. If you don't, it's medical and considered necessary.

Insurance companies typically reimburse the cost of a medically necessary rhinoplasty procedure if it’s done to improve or correct breathing or a major deformity or is a result of an injury. On the flip side, your insurance carrier may not cover the costs of a rhinoplasty procedure if it is entirely a cosmetic surgery procedure. You should discuss the cost of the rhinoplasty with their insurance carrier and surgeon.

Common Medical Reasons for a Nose Job

People undergo a rhinoplasty procedure for medical reasons. These include:

1. Chronic Sinus Problems

Many individuals suffer from chronic sinus problems, including sinus congestion and nasal allergies. Sometimes, a deviated nasal septum (discussed below) causes these problems. In these cases, a nose job can alleviate the problem or eliminate it and is the perfect reason for a medical rhinoplasty procedure.

2. Cleft Palate or Cleft Lip

A common medical reason for a nose job is a cleft palate or cleft lip. This is a birth defect that if not corrected children will have problems eating and won't get the nutrition they require. While a cleft palate or lip may be corrected to improve the appearance of a person, it is a medical condition.

3. Deviated Nasal Septum

Chances are, you've heard the term deviated septum. This is the medical term for the condition where your nasal septum (central nose cartilage) is off-center. It makes it difficult to breathe through your nose. Generally, a deviated septum is more noticeable on one side of your nose and could lead to sinus infections or sinusitis.

When you have a deviated septum, you’ll need a septoplasty, which may be performed in combination with a rhinoplasty. A septoplasty is a surgical corrective procedure performed to straighten the partition between the two nasal cavities, called the nasal septum.

Out of all nasal septums, around 80 percent are off-center. If your doctor diagnoses you with a deviated septum, they'll refer you to a surgeon who will perform a septoplasty to correct it.  Following a septoplasty, it should make it much easier for you to breathe through both sides of your nose, chances are, for the first time. Often, individuals don't even known how much difficulty they're having breathing through their nose.

4. Other Medical Conditions

Other conditions that necessitate medical rhinoplasty are:

• Injuries

• Nasal inflammation caused by chronic allergies

• Burns

• Broken noses

• Deformities

Brain tumors can even warrant a rhinoplasty procedure, whether it the surgeon needs to remove it because its malignant or its benign but it's causing issues to other bodily organs and systems.

Cosmetic Reasons to Get a Nose Job

Cosmetic rhinoplasty can help change the size, shape and overall appearance of your nose. Sometimes, the surgeon might suggest they insert a chin implant at the same time to help balance out your facial features better. Often, when people have a rhinoplasty, they ask their surgeons to:

• Narrow or widen their nostrils

• Narrow their nose bridge

• Reshape their nose tip

• Straighten their crooked nose

• Alter the angle between their upper lip and nose

In many cases, the surgeon can hide the incisions they make to reshape the nose inside the nose. Or, they can place the incisions outside the nose inconspicuously.

The main reason for having a cosmetic rhinoplasty procedure done is that an ideal nose should help complement your face, not take away from it. When you look at people, you notice their mouth, eyes and hair. Chances are, if you notice their nose, it's a distraction. Your nose can either make your face, or break it.

A bad nose can knock down your self-esteem. A good rhinoplasty procedure can help increase it. While undergoing a good nose job will help boost your confidence in your appearance, it's not going to change deeper issues with self-esteem. You need to have realistic expectations about how a cosmetic rhinoplasty procedure will impact your life.

Your surgeon will sit down with you and discuss these expectations along with your nose job options before performing the procedure.

Risks of Rhinoplasty in Houston

The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of rhinoplasty are acceptable.

Rhinoplasty does come with some risks, including:

• Infection

• Anesthesia risks

• Difficulty breathing

• Pain, numbness or other changes in skin sensation

• Scarring or poor wound healing

• Swelling and skin discoloration

• Hole in the nasal septum (nasal septal perforation)

• Unsatisfactory nasal appearance

• The possibility of revisional surgery

Your surgeon will discuss these and other risks fully during your consultation and you can decide if your reasons for getting a nose job outweigh the risks. Be sure to ask all your questions about things you're unsure of.

Who are Candidates for Rhinoplasty?

Both adult men and women of any age can benefit from rhinoplasty. Young patients aren't candidates for rhinoplasty surgery until their noses grow fully or unless they have severely impaired breathing.

Teenage patients often undergo nose reshaping. However, surgeons will evaluate them and determine if they're a candidate for the procedure. Their nose needs to be completely developed — usually around the age of 14 years old for girls and 16 years old for boys, states the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Teenagers also need to understand the process of cosmetic surgery and demonstrate emotional maturity.

All patients need to have realistic expectations. While a nose job in Houston can help enhance your nose and facial features, it can't make them perfect or provide you with the same nose as another person. A qualified and skilled cosmetic surgeon will discuss the procedure with you and help you achieve the nose that will look natural with your own individual features.

You might be a good candidate for a nose job if:

• You're physically healthy.

• Your facial growth is complete.

• You have realistic goals and a positive outlook.

• You don't smoke.

Although you'll notice the improvements the surgeon made during the procedure after the initial swelling and bruising goes away, you could have swelling for up to a year and this is normal. Others don't usually notice it.

Rhinoplasty results are permanent and you'll have your new nose for a lifetime. Therefore, it’s important you choose a cosmetic surgeon who is highly qualified, gifted, and skilled, like Dr. Patt MD FACS who is board-certified in otolaryngology, head, and neck surgery, and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and recognized for 11 consecutive years in Top Docs® and Super Docs® listings in Houston, to provide you with your desired results. After all, you will have to live with this nose.

Schedule Your Rhinoplasty Consultation with Dr. Patt in Houston, Texas

If you're considering undergoing rhinoplasty for cosmetic or functional reasons, schedule a consultation with Dr. Patt MD FACS  at Houston Center for Facial Plastic Surgery first to talk about what to expect, your goals, and any questions you have.

Dr. Patt will go over the reasons for rhinoplasty in Houston procedure, whether they are cosmetic or medical. From a cosmetic standpoint, rhinoplasty can improve your overall facial look and highlight your natural, unique beauty. From a medical standpoint, a rhinoplasty can help you breathe normally.

Call Dr. Patt today at (281) 649-7170 for your rhinoplasty consultation or click here to request a consultation today!

Meet the Author: Houston's Top Doctor For Medical & Cosmetic Rhinoplasty

Written By: Dr. Bradford Patt - Board-certified in otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery he has been practicing for nearly 20 years. He is a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery, and an Executive Board Member of the Harris County Medical Society.