A Beverly Hills rhinoplasty, often called a “nose job,” is one of the most popular facial cosmetic surgeries in the United States. But it can also be done for medical reasons, such as addressing breathing problems.

If you’ve been thinking about rhinoplasty, set up a consultation with Dr. Nicholas Lahar at Lahar Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, California. He’s an experienced surgeon who helps men and women look and feel their best. Here, we explain the difference between functional and cosmetic rhinoplasty.

Functional rhinoplasty

If you have trouble breathing through your nose, a functional rhinoplasty can help. Many people who need this medical procedure opt to have a cosmetic rhinoplasty at the same time to alter the size or shape of their nose.

Functional rhinoplasty addresses problems inside the nose. It can help if you breathe through a blocked or partially blocked nostril, for example.

A nostril can be blocked by a deviated, or crooked, septum, which can be due to an accident or trauma or because it just developed that way. The surgery to correct only this condition is called a septoplasty.

Another functional problem occurs when turbinates — structures inside the nasal passages that warm and moisten the air you breathe — are inflamed and block airflow. Turbinates could be aggravated by allergies, sinus infections, or hormones.

A functional rhinoplasty aims to correct narrow nasal passages, deformities, and injuries. It can drastically improve quality of life for people who have trouble breathing.

People who undergo this plastic surgery can breathe better in their normal activities, have more stamina during exercise, snore less, and sleep better, too. And because it’s medically necessary, there’s a good chance insurance covers it.

Cosmetic rhinoplasty

This is the classic “nose job” most people are familiar with. Cosmetic rhinoplasty changes the shape of the outside of the nose. People may choose to have this cosmetic surgery to remove a bump on the bridge of their nose, to correct nasal asymmetry, or to resize their nose, for example.

It’s a personal choice and everyone has different reasons. Other reasons for cosmetic rhinoplasty include:

• Changing the tip of the nose
• Making the nose proportional to the face
• Correcting nostril size or positioning
• Making the nose thinner

Dr. Lahar has extensive experience in cosmetic rhinoplasty. He uses his expertise to help people get the nose they’ve always wanted.

Considerations

A rhinoplasty could change your life. Imagine being able to breathe better and liking what you see each time you look in the mirror!

Just remember that the surgery requires recovery time. There could also be some bruising and swelling for a few weeks afterward. Most patients notice the full result 6-12 months later because your body needs time to fully heal.

Are you thinking about rhinoplasty? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Lahar. You can request an appointment online or call the office at 310-403-3514.