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What is the Difference Between a Functional and Cosmetic Rhinoplasty?

What is a Rhinoplasty?

Some people choose rhinoplasty because they feel unhappy with the appearance of their nose. For others, however, the issues may affect their health or cause a serious defect in the nasal area. Both are valid and important reasons to choose this procedure but for some, the improvement can be life-changing.

There are two primary types of rhinoplasty:

Cosmetic Rhinoplasty

Cosmetic rhinoplasty helps people who want to change the shape, size, or general appearance of their noses. Some people feel that their nose does not match the rest of their face or that it causes them to feel self-conscious. 

Functional Rhinoplasty

Functional rhinoplasty can treat several health conditions, especially a deviated septum (bending of the cartilage that separates the nostrils), a crooked nose due to past nasal trauma, nasal obstruction, and congenital defects. Breathing problems often disappear or are drastically reduced. 

How Does Rhinoplasty Work?

Your team will keep you under anesthesia for the duration of the procedure to keep you from feeling any discomfort. During the surgery, the surgeon will make small incisions, mostly inside the nose, and will reshape the cartilage, bone, and skin to achieve the desired shape or to correct the functional defect. 

What Is Recovery From a Rhinoplasty Like?

You will have a splint placed over your nose for several days to stabilize the nose while it begins to heal. You will go home the same day and will need someone to drive you, since you may be foggy from the anesthesia. 

Your surgeon is going to prescribe medications for pain until your discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter medications. You will need to avoid activities that could cause trauma to your nose while it is healing. Your surgeon will discuss what types of activities you may need to avoid. You should be able to return to work in about a week. 

Am I a Good Candidate?

You are a good candidate for rhinoplasty if you are in general good health and either want your nose reshaped or need improvements in your function and breathing. People should have realistic expectations regarding their procedure and its outcomes. 

What Results Can I Expect From a Rhinoplasty?

If you feel dissatisfied with the appearance of your nose, cosmetic rhinoplasty can address this concern and give you the nose that fits your face and your goals. If you have functional issues, such as a broken nose, deviated septum, or other condition that causes discomfort or difficulty breathing through your nose, functional rhinoplasty can dramatically improve these symptoms. 

Take the Next Step – Request a Consultation

Want to learn more about rhinoplasty? Schedule your consultation, or by calling Specialty Aesthetic Surgery at (212) 737-8700. We look forward to working with you!

Specialty Aesthetic Surgery serves the greater NYC metro area.

About our Surgeons

Bruce Moskowitz is an experienced and board-certified oculoplastic surgeon. His practice encompasses all areas of oculoplastic cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He has a well-known reputation for revision surgery, and a large portion of his practice comes from other colleagues to revise sub-optimal outcomes.

Grigoriy Mashkevich is an experienced and double-board certified facial plastic surgeon. He belongs to a highly select group of surgeons with a focused specialization in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the nose, face, and neck. 

*Individual results may vary.

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