Share This Post

What is the Difference Between a Functional and Cosmetic Rhinoplasty?

A rhinoplasty reshapes and restructures your nose to achieve your desired results. It requires extensive communication between you and your surgeon to help achieve the results you want. While many people choose rhinoplasty to adjust a nose they feel does not fit their face in size, shape, or appearance, some people need a rhinoplasty to correct a physical problem that can affect their lives.

Real Results

*Individual Results May Vary

What is a Rhinoplasty?

A rhinoplasty, often called a “nose job,” reconstructs or reshapes the nose for one of two reasons: to give people an aesthetically pleasing result or to correct a functional problem. This surgical procedure often involves remodeling the bone and cartilage and the nose’s soft tissue to achieve the desired shape.

What is the Difference Between Functional and Cosmetic Rhinoplasty?

Cosmetic Rhinoplasty

A cosmetic rhinoplasty adjusts the nose’s shape, size, or appearance to give the patient a nose that fits the rest of the face and makes them feel comfortable. Because people see your nose as soon as they meet you, a nose that feels like it’s not quite right can make you self-conscious. Cosmetic rhinoplasty in the hands of an experienced surgeon can give you the nose you hoped to see.

Functional Rhinoplasty

Some people have functional issues with their noses. For example, a deviated septum, meaning that the divide down the center of the nose is not straight, can make breathing difficult. Repairing this or other nose problems can restore normal breathing. Insurance will often cover these procedures since they produce a medical improvement.

Consultations Available Now

Take the first step. Get your questions answered by meeting with one of our knowledgeable medical staff for an in-person consultation. Simply fill out the form on this page, and one of our experienced team members will reach out to you promptly to schedule your consultation.

Recovery and Results from Rhinoplasty

During your first week of recovery, you must take care of your healing nose with care, making sure not to disturb or interrupt healing. Your surgeon will give you a list of ways to care for yourself after your surgery. These may include sleeping while sitting up, and wearing buttoned shirts so you do not have to pull them over your head.

Bruising and swelling take about two weeks to go away, although it may take several months for the swelling to subside completely. While you can appreciate the appearance of your nose within a few weeks of surgery, expect to continue seeing improvements toward the final product as the swelling goes down.

The nose may feel worse before it feels better for those who had a functional rhinoplasty since swelling may make your nose feel stuffy. However, within a few weeks, you should notice a significant improvement in your ability to breathe through your nose.

Am I a Candidate for a Rhinoplasty?

Candidates for a functional rhinoplasty have a medical issue that affects the function of the nose. For any rhinoplasty, the ideal candidates are in good health, do not smoke, and have reasonable expectations for surgery.

Testimonials

*Individual Results May Vary

★★★★★ 5/5

Dr. Holley was very attentive to my concerns. His approach showed how much he cared about my outcome and my comfort. He has a fabulous staff who I look forward to seeing during my office calls.*

Dr. Holley is an amazing surgeon! I could not be more pleased with my surgery. Dr. Holley did an amazing job and I would highly recommend him to everyone. Dr. Holley is very caring, supportive, has excellent bedside manners, and just an all around awesome physician.*

I felt like Dr. Holley listened to me. I had heard many great things about Dr. Holley that had to do with plastic surgery for many due to accidents and dog bites. His staff made me feel comfortable.*

Take the Next Step

Would you like to learn more about rhinoplasty? Simply fill out the form on this page or call West Michigan Plastic Surgery at (269) 222-1611 to schedule your consultation. Proudly serving Western Michigan and the greater Kalamazoo area.