Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure used to reshape the nasal structure. Depending on your needs and goals, treatment at our Orlando, FL, cosmetic surgery center can provide a number of benefits, such as changing the size of the nose, modifying the angle of the nose, or correcting defects and indentations in the nose. In addition to aesthetic purposes, rhinoplasty is also used to correct nasal valve collapse.
What Is Nasal Valve Collapse?
The nasal valve is the small slit-like segment of the nose that acts as a passage for the air we breathe. The nasal valve is normally narrow, but at times, the formation of the nasal structure becomes in such a way that it causes further narrowing of the nasal valve. This is referred to as a nasal valve collapse.
A pinched nasal valve can obstruct the airway and lead to nasal congestion, making it difficult to breathe normally. Breathing through the mouth is a common symptom in such patients. It can also affect your quality of sleep, resulting in a lack of focus throughout your day and difficulties performing your daily activities. Rhinoplasty can help correct this.
Diagnosis
You can find out if you have a collapsed nasal valve yourself. Try to take a deep breath. If you feel high resistance to breathing in or if you feel that you cannot draw in enough air, you might have a collapsed nasal valve. If you have any concerns, you should consult an experienced doctor like Orlando plastic surgeon Dr. George Pope for a proper diagnosis.
Symptoms And Treatment
The nasal valve can collapse due to nasal trauma or fracture, aging, or as a congenital defect. Some cases of a collapsed nasal valve can be treated with a prescribed medication. Other cases might not be so easy. A severe case can cause difficulties breathing and require rhinoplasty. Using this procedure, Dr. Pope will work to restore structural support to the nose to improve the breathing issues you have.In extreme cases, Dr. Pope might perform cartilage grafting to offer a permanent solution. In this case, rhinoplasty can slightly alter the shape of the nose since it involves correcting the structure of the nose. Once the procedure is completed, your nose will be put in a splint and bandaged.
Rhinoplasty can sometimes be combined with other procedures, such as facelifts, to address multiple areas with just one surgery and recovery period.
What To Expect After The Procedure
Rhinoplasty is generally not a high risk procedure, though you do have to be careful in the days immediately after your surgery. Once the splint is removed, you will have to stay away from contact sports and other rigorous activities for some time. In the initial days you might notice some swelling and redness around your nose that will disappear within a period of 1 to 2 weeks.
In order to experience the best results, you will need to take the necessary amount of time to rest and recover. Once you have healed completely, you will find that your breathing difficulties are a thing of the past and it will be much easier for you to take in air.
Contact Our Office
A rhinoplasty can provide a number of great benefits, both functional and aesthetic. It can be a great solution if you’re suffering from breathing issues caused by nasal valve collapse.
To see real patient results from cosmetic rhinoplasty surgery, take a look at our before-and-after photo gallery.
For more information about how rhinoplasty and other cosmetic surgery procedures can benefit you, contact our Orlando, FL, office today. You can also call us at (407) 857-6261. As a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience, Dr. George Pope can help you find the relief you desire to live a comfortable life.
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