Can A Rhinoplasty Help Improve My Breathing?

September 2nd, 2015

When most people think about a nose job, their minds likely conjure up images of reality TV shows and celebrity gossip magazines. It’s true that rhinoplasty is very often portrayed as just another procedure for cosmetic enhancement, but this is only half the truth. For The Woodlands rhinoplasty patients, this procedure can also be a viable means to correcting a number of real medical issues that affect their breathing.

What Breathing Problems Can a Rhinoplasty Address?

In addition to being an excellent way to enhance the shape of your nose, there are many functional aspects of a rhinoplasty that can help improve your breathing including:

  • Spreader grafts: the internal nasal valve is the most resistive segment in the nasal airway. By using spreader grafts in a rhinoplaty to reconstruct a dysfunctional internal nasal valve and/or narrowed or collapsed inner vault (which houses the valve), airflow through the nose can be improved.
  • Correction of a deviated septum: A deviated septum occurs when the thin wall between your nostrils is displaced to one side, often causing restricted airflow, nosebleeds, and facial pain among other things. Rhinoplasty can correct these issues by repositioning the nasal septum at the center of your nose.
  • Alar rim grafts: whether due to genetics or complications resulting from a previous rhinoplasty the alar rim, or nostril roof, can become pinched, inhibiting airflow. Alar rim grafts can be used to improve the triangularity of the nose, improving both contour and airflow.

During your appointment, Dr. Myers will discuss your breathing complications and symptoms to determine the best course of treatment. You can also address any cosmetic concerns you may have, as these can be handled during the same procedure. Rhinoplasty can be done as an outpatient procedure, allowing you to return home the same day, and most patients are typically able to return to work in only a few days.

Are you experiencing difficulty breathing? The Woodlands rhinoplasty expert Dr. Wesley T. Myers can correct many common airflow issues. Call us today at 936.539.8115 for your appointment.