According to data from the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstruction Surgery (AAFPRS), about half a million Americans consult with their physicians regarding rhinoplasty every year. While most people get a nose job for aesthetic reasons, some people undergo rhinoplasty surgery to correct nasal defects, or improve breathing. Below is some more information about rhinoplasty and its real benefits.

An Overview of Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty refers to the surgery performed to alter the shape of the nose. The procedure typically lasts about 1 to 3 hours depending on the desired outcome, and it can be done under local or general anesthesia. In addition, it can be performed at a hospital, surgeon's office, outpatient surgery facility, or private health clinic. In most cases, surgeons make incisions inside the nostrils to avoid leaving visible marks or scars. Nevertheless, a surgeon can make incisions from the outside, especially around the base of the nose. These incisions enable surgeons to reach and reduce, reshape, augment, or rearrange the bone and cartilage material that make up the nose. Next, surgeons re-drape the skin over the newly reshaped nose. A splint is usually applied on the outside of the nose to maintain its shape, stability, and keep the airways open as it heals.

The Benefits of Rhinoplasty

1. Improve your self-confidence…

If you have a misshapen or asymmetrical nose, rhinoplasty can boost your self-confidence significantly. Rhinoplasty can correct the following defects:

  • A nose that is too short or too long
  • A nose that is too wide or too narrow
  • A nose whose tip is angled unnaturally upwards or downwards
  • A nose with an unsymmetrical look
  • Pinched or flared nostrils, as well as nostrils that are either too close or too far apart
  • A nose with a humped look

Although these aesthetic issues may not hamper a person's ability to breathe, they can prevent a person from interacting with other people for fear of being mocked, being the odd one out, or being pitied. In addition, a person with a misshapen nose would face difficulties securing a job in the modelling, film and television, or media industries. Fortunately, rhinoplasty can fix these aesthetic problems, thereby boosting a person's self-confidence.

2. Improve the functionality of your nose…

According to the American Rhinologic Society (ARS), a nasal deformity can cause serious health problems- including recurrent sinusitis, frequent nosebleeds, noisy breathing and snoring, as well as inability to taste or smell food properly. The deformities associated with these problems could be caused by nasal trauma (injury), or be present at birth. In some cases, medical conditions such as Wegner's Disease, allergic fungal sinusitis, relapsing polychondritis, and Sarcoidosis can also cause changes to the structure of the nose. As such, people suffering from these conditions should seek medical attention as soon as possible. In fact, the ARS recommends consulting an otolaryngologist within 7 to 10 days after sustaining a nose injury. If you fail to do so, the underlying nose structure will heal as it is, meaning you may require extensive and expensive surgery later to correct the deformity.

3. Correct chronically stuffy nose…

The American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery reckons that millions of Americans suffer from chronic nasal stuffiness that can be corrected via nasal surgery. Sadly, this type of breathing problem does not respond well to conventional treatment. This is because a virus, allergy, or nasal deformity could be the cause of a stuffy nose. For instance, a crooked septum (partition between the nostrils) could inhibit the proper functioning of your airways. Overgrowth of nasal passage tissues (turbinates), is also a common cause of chronically stuffy nose. In such cases, an otolaryngologist can expand nasal passages or correct structural deformities to make breathing easier.

4. Improve breathing in old age…

Although rarely pinpointed, aging is a common cause of nasal passage blockage. This problem occurs as some body tissues and bones become weak and droop under the influence of gravity. As such, the nasal passages are prone to collapsing inwards and obstructing airflow. When this happens, some elderly people resort to using nasal strips to enhance breathing. Others put up with restricted and noisy breathing or breathe via the mouth. Luckily, rhinoplasty can literally help seniors breathe easier. In particular, an otolaryngologist can trim sagging nasal passage tissues, or reposition the underlying bone and cartilage structure to open up the blocked airways. After surgery, surgeons insert internal rather than external splints to support the nose as it heals.

5. Boost your energy…

Oxygen circulation throughout the body depends on air intake via the nose. As such, obstruction of the nasal passage reduces the rate of air intake, which in turn lowers the amount of oxygen available in the bloodstream. This is dangerous because it could lead to respiratory failure (occurs when the level of oxygen flowing from the lungs into the bloodstream is low), and death, if one does not receive immediate medical attention. Blocked nasal passages can also cause carbon dioxide buildup in the body, poisoning a person from the inside. Finally, a low oxygen level can also cause hypoxemia, which is characterized by shortness of breath. Fortunately, rhinoplasty can prevent these problems.

6. Improve sleep quality…

Majority of people with obstructed nasal passages do not sleep well at night. For instance, they are more likely to snore and consequently disturb their bedmates/roommates. Furthermore, people with breathing problems usually wake up several times at night, meaning they cannot enjoy a good night's sleep. Fortunately, an experienced otolaryngologist can perform rhinoplasty to clear the nasal passages and resolve this problem.

Conclusion

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure performed for people primarily for cosmetic reasons; yet, rhinoplasty can also be performed with the aim of correcting nasal defects present at birth, or caused by an injury. Some of the key benefits of undergoing this surgical procedure include boosting self-confidence, better sleep quality, correcting chronic stuffy nose, boosting energy levels, enhancing breathing in old age, and improving the functionality of the nose. Finally, you should consult with a qualified and experienced facial plastic surgeon if you intend to have rhinoplasty.

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