Septoplasty | Deviated Septum
Septoplasty | Deviated Septum Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Glendale CA
Many people confuse a deviated septum and Septoplasty for the same thing.
The nasal septum does more than divide your nostrils – it also plays a vital role in maintaining healthy and functional airways. Eighty percent of Americans have some degree of septal deviation, and if the problem is too severe, a septoplasty might be necessary to improve your breathing function.
Expert facial, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Martin Stepanyan draws on over 22 years of successful experience to bring you all the information you need about septoplasty and addressing a deviated septum.
Read more about septoplasty surgery in Pasadena, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and Glendale, so you can confidently start your cosmetic journey. We invite you to schedule a consultation with Glendale, CA rhinoplasty surgeon Dr. Stepanyan by contacting us online or calling (818) 551-0088 today.
What Is Septoplasty?
Septoplasty is surgery to correct a deviated or misaligned nasal septum. The benefits are primarily functional, and include correcting breathing difficulties, frequent nosebleeds, and other complications.
Trauma And Injury To Your Nose
Almost everyone is born with some deviation in their nose. If you have an extreme case of it, then it could be something you were born with. Or, it may be trauma and injury to your nose. It is widespread for sporting accidents, like a ball hitting the face, to be the cause of a deviated septum.
Here’s an interesting way to think about this issue. If it was the result of trauma, it is most likely the cause of the deformity. Sometimes, these deformities are with you from birth. Take a look at your nose from the front. Is the bridge of your nose slanted off in one direction? Is it wavy or flattened? Your nostrils may be uneven or off center, too. This is especially true if you look at your nose from above a mirror. The most common physical sign of a deviated septum we see at our Glendale surgical center is a large dorsal hump.
What does this mean? If you don’t want any cosmetic changes, but only to fix your septum, then you are a great candidate for a Septoplasty. Dr. Stepanyan starts from the interior of your nose. Next, he removes any cartilage that is blocking the nasal passage with great care. Generally, there are no incisions required. Because of this, there is no exterior scarring. Sometimes Dr. Stepanyan will place internal splints in the nasal passage. He does this to help your nose maintain its shape during the healing process.
Why Would I Need A Beverly Hills Septoplasty?
You should consider septoplasty if your deviated septum causes medical problems or detracts from your quality of life. Specific reasons people undergo septoplasty include the following.
- Breathing difficulties: A significantly deviated septum can obstruct one or both nostrils, making it hard to breathe through your nose.
- Chronic sinus infections: Obstructions can reduce or block sinus drainage, leading to repeated sinus infections.
- Nosebleeds: The surface of the septum might become dry due to its deviation, increasing the risk of frequent nosebleeds.
- Sleep disturbances: Obstructed airflow might result in conditions like sleep apnea or contribute to loud snoring.
- Facial pain and headaches: A severely deviated septum can cause facial pain and headaches due to the pressure on the inner linings of the nose.
- Post-traumatic deformities: Trauma or injuries to the nose can create septal deviations that might necessitate correction.
How Is Septoplasty Different From Rhinoplasty?
Septoplasty and rhinoplasty are both surgical procedures that target the nose, but they serve distinct purposes and address different issues.
- Purpose: While septoplasty focuses on correcting a deviated or misaligned nasal septum to improve airflow and alleviate associated functional symptoms, rhinoplasty is primarily a cosmetic surgery that changes the nose’s shape, size, and overall appearance.
- Structural focus: Septoplasty targets the septum, while rhinoplasty affects features like the nasal bones, cartilage, and soft tissues.
- Recovery time: Septoplasty tends to have a shorter recovery period than rhinoplasty, with many patients resuming normal activities within a week.
- Visible changes: Septoplasty shouldn’t result in noticeable external changes to your nose’s appearance unless you opt to combine it with rhinoplasty.
Why Choose Dr. Stepanyan for Septoplasty in Beverly Hills?
Dr. Stepanyan’s expert septoplasty techniques assure long-lasting outcomes. With a legacy of over 27 years in facial surgery, he is one of the community’s most seasoned and accomplished surgeons. Patients consistently commend his thorough consultations and the use of advanced, three-dimensional imaging, which many other practices do not offer.
Dr. Stepanyan’s extensive education and training in maxillofacial and facial cosmetic surgery allows him to effectively manage cosmetic and skeletal issues. He seamlessly integrates functionality and aesthetics to deliver confidence-inspiring results. His skill set also includes the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and other intricate surgical procedures.
As a board-certified surgeon and a fellow of esteemed professional bodies, Dr. Stepanyan maintains the most individualized and compassionate care found anywhere. He has equipped his AAAHC-accredited surgery center with cutting-edge tools and technology, assuring patient safety above all. Above all, Dr. Stepanyan strives for impeccable and natural-looking results and top-quality services for each patient.
Specializing in Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery
Dr. Martin Stepanyan is a Board Certified surgeon with over 15 years of excellent education, extensive training and over 22 years of successful practice in the field of Cosmetic &
Reconstructive Surgery and Maxillofacial Surgery.
What Does Dr. Stepanyan’s Septoplasty in Los Angeles Procedure Involve?
While the fundamental steps of any septoplasty are consistent, Dr. Stepanyan brings an exceptional touch to each stage, elevating the entire experience for his patients.
Consultation
Starting with a pre-operative consultation, Dr. Stepanyan doesn’t merely perform a cursory examination. He asks questions to gain a comprehensive understanding of your needs and concerns, then tailors a procedural plan to meet them. Recognizing the uniqueness of every nose, he might employ advanced imaging to ascertain the exact nature of the septal deviation, ensuring a highly personalized surgical plan.
Day of the Procedure
While the procedure demands a small cut within the nostrils, ensuring no external scars, Dr. Stepanyan’s background as a reconstructive surgeon means he brings unparalleled precision to this step. He realigns or removes the deviated portion of the septum with a finesse that only someone of his expertise can offer, promising optimal functional and aesthetic outcomes.
After correcting the septum, Dr. Stepanyan’s attention to detail ensures minimal post-operative discomfort. But his care doesn’t end after closing the last suture. As you transition to recovery, you will benefit from his holistic approach. Meticulous follow-ups and unwavering post-operative support smooth your healing process.
Patient Education
Dedication to patient education sets Dr. Stepanyan apart. He believes in empowering people with knowledge. He will address every question and alleviate every concern to ensure you are well-informed about the procedure, potential outcomes, and what to expect during recovery.
What To Expect After Septoplasty
He will remove these during your follow up visit. The splints aren’t painful, but patients describe them as being uncomfortable. When you get a Septoplasty, there is a good chance your insurance will cover the surgery. They do this when significant breathing impairment has the opportunity for improvement.
For many patients, the trauma was so significant that it changed the shape of their nose. Both on the inside and the outside. Additionally, this causes a lot of breathing problems. These patients tend to combine a septoplasty with another cosmetic surgery to make it look better. There are a lot of surgeons that perform rhinoplasty, or nose jobs as they are also known. But, with a Septoplasty, you need to find a specialist. In choosing Dr. Stepanyan, a specialist is precisely what you will find.
Septoplasty recovery will be longer than average recovery if you combine Septoplasty and cosmetic surgery. In combination, these surgeries make it more invasive and more trauma to the tissue. Swelling also takes a few months to dissipate. But anyone who has had surgery on their nose will tell you that it takes almost a whole year for the swelling to go away.
Will Insurance Covery Septoplasty?
Some insurance companies may cover the septoplasty surgery. Any further costs for cosmetic changes are paid out of your own pocket. If you have a deviated septum, you most likely have some visible crookedness. Also, your nose might look imbalanced. So, having cosmetic surgery at the same time makes sense. It is beneficial to your self-image and confidence. The most significant benefit of Septoplasty is that you can breathe better. Breathing better often translates into better sleep, too. Learn more about your surgical options and contact Dr. Stepanyan’s office today.
Septoplasty in Glendale, CA
To ensure your septoplasty surgery delivers optimal results in breathing and nasal function, book an appointment with Dr. Stepanyan online or by calling (818) 551-0088 today.
Los Angeles Septoplasty FAQs
After septoplasty, Dr. Stepanyan advises you to avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, blowing your nose, and swimming for several weeks to promote healing and prevent complications.
Most patients experience swelling and bruising after septoplasty, but these usually subside within a week or two. Still, complete healing and the return to your pre-surgery appearance can take several weeks.
Everyone has a different pain tolerance, but many patients report the initial few days after the surgery, especially when the anesthesia wears off, as the most uncomfortable.
Dr. Stepanyan advises his septoplasty patients to rest and take it easy for the first 24 to 48 hours post-surgery, although the total duration of bed rest can vary based on your recovery progress.
After septoplasty, Dr. Stepanyan recommends sleeping on your back with your head elevated. Use pillows to prevent you from rolling over onto your side or stomach, as these positions can put unnecessary pressure on your nose.