Rhinoplasty for Men
Men comprise a large portion of my rhinoplasty practice. While some also want cosmetic changes, the majority of men looking for rhinoplasty want to breathe better. It’s not uncommon for men to complain of nasal obstruction. Many give a history of nasal trauma—typically from sport injuries or from fights. While these injuries certainly can result in nasal deformities, men tend to be more bothered by the functional impairment than any cosmetic changes. A crooked nose or dorsal hump doesn’t bother men as much as women. However, they will often entertain correction if they’re getting a functional rhinoplasty anyway. So how do you know if you’re a candidate for functional rhinoplasty?
First, you have to demonstrate trouble breathing. This can be both nostrils or just restricted to one side. If you’re complaining of obstruction, this is a functional problem and your insurance may cover that. Perhaps the most important thing you should do before seeing a surgeon to fix your nose is to demonstrate that you’ve failed medical management. Almost all insurances will require this documented before approving nasal surgery. What are medical treatments? Basically, they’re oral and nasal topical medications intended to decongest your nose. The basic medical management options include trying a topical nasal steroid spray like Flonase, Nasacort, or Beconase. You should also be on a daily nasal saline irrigation regimen because moisture helps air flow smoother in your nose. If you have allergy symptoms, then you should have tried oral antihistamines (ie Claritin, Zyrtec), with or without oral decongestants (like Sudafed). Sometimes, adding other sprays like Astelin can be tried. If you still complain of nasal congestion despite using medical treatments for several weeks, then you can see a surgeon to discuss surgical correction. I usually like to see failure to respond to medications after one month.
I recommend you see a board certified facial plastic surgeon since his or her focus and training is on correcting functional and aesthetic problems of the nose. There are some board certified plastic surgeons who are also experienced with the functional component of rhinoplasties. Just make sure you ask the right questions and confirm he or she has experience. In my experience, many plastic surgeons are comfortable making cosmetic changes but may not be as experienced with fixing complex nasal functional problems. Board certified otolaryngologists are another specialty that can fix congested noses. The consultation is critical to determine what is causing your nasal obstruction. There are many potential reasons, but here are the most common. The number one reason is usually a deviated septum. Sometimes enlarged inferior turbinates can cause obstruction. More complex reasons for obstruction are either internal or external valve collapse. Less common reasons include concha bullosas, sinus problems, or nasal mass.
Only after an accurate diagnosis of the nasal obstruction is made can a good surgical plan be offered. A septoplasty will straighten a deviated septum. Complex nasal surgery to strengthen or reconstruct the nasal valves may require challenging grafting procedures. Enlarged turbinates can be reduced with various techniques, from simple fracturing and cautery to endoscopic reduction using fine sinus instruments.
You should be aware that after a successful surgery your nose will likely be more stuffy immediately after surgery. This is due to postoperative swelling as well as presence of splints (which many surgeons place). You need to follow good postoperative care instructions to maximize your recovery. Frequent nasal saline irrigations and keeping the incision clean and moist are important steps. Functional nasal surgeries are very effective and you can expect significant improvement in your breathing by about 4 to 6 weeks.
Men can also be bothered by cosmetic deformities of the nose, but, for many, this is a secondary concern after the obstruction symptom. The most common dissatisfaction is a crooked nose, or noticeable hump. These deformities can be addressed during the surgery. Less common complaints are unhappiness with the nasal tip appearance. If you have a hump or your nose is crooked, the results can often be seen around one month after surgery. If you also want your tip make more refined, bear in mind the nose will take about a year to settle down. We typically wait one year to determine the final cosmetic result of a nose job.
For many men with nasal obstruction, their quality of life can be significantly impacted by this congestion. Surgery-in properly identified candidates–is very effective at correcting this problem and can significantly improve your quality of life. Many people report their exercise ability improves after successful surgery! I’ve had patients tell me their run times are faster, their endurance is improved or their work out regimen is much easer!
For more information about San Antonio male rhinoplasty, please visit our interactive website at www.dryuplasticsurgery.com. Dr. Kenneth Yu Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is a qualified team of experts serving the San Antonio, Texas area. To schedule a consultation, please contact our Concierge Patient Coordinator at (210) 876-6868 or info@dryuplasticsurgery.com.
