Before & Afters
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
Surgeons at The Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery offer Nasal Obstruction solutions for patients in Austin & Sunset Valley, TX. Nasal obstruction, or difficulty breathing through the nose, is a common and troubling complaint we see in patients frequently referred to us by other doctors, specifically general Otolaryngologists (Ear, Nose and Throat specialists) or Plastic Surgeons. Associated symptoms include mouth breathing, snoring, poor compliance with sleep apnea machines, poor exercise tolerance and bad breath.
What CAUSES THE NASAL PASSAGES TO BECOME BLOCKED?
A nasal blockage can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Allergies
- Chronic sinusitis
- Nasal polyps
Anatomic issues that can cause a blockage include:
- A deviated nasal septum
- Collapsed structural support (i.e., nasal valve collapse)
- Turbinate hypertrophy
In addition, prior nasal surgery, both functional and cosmetic, may lead to disruptions in the nasal support mechanisms of the nose that typically allow for normal airflow during inspiration.
Functional nasal surgery can be performed to improve a patient’s ability to breathe through the nose, specifically by resolving anatomical problems leading to nasal obstruction. This typically involves a septoplasty, which is a procedure that surgeons use to straighten the cartilaginous and bony septum of the nose. The septum is the structure that separates the left and right nostrils.
Internal and external nasal valve repair involve reinforcing the structural components of the nose. When a patient has already had a septoplasty, our surgeon typically uses cartilage grafts harvested from redundant portions of the patient’s nasal septum or ear.
During turbinate reduction, the surgeon removes excess tissue and bone from the inferior turbinates on the inside of the nose, which might be causing further narrowing of the nasal cavity.
A nasal examination in the office allows us to evaluate the nasal airway and anatomy and determine the necessary course of action.
Functional nasal surgery can be combined with cosmetic rhinoplasty (reshaping of the nose) if a change in appearance is desired (added out-of-pocket costs apply), or kept as a purely functional procedure (typically covered by insurance).
Our surgeons can perform functional nasal surgery when this procedure is combined with a cosmetic rhinoplasty.
Prospective patients are encouraged to call the office to schedule an appointment at their earliest convenience.
Frequently Asked Nasal Obstruction Questions
WHAT IS NASAL OBSTRUCTION?
WHO IS THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR FUNCTIONAL NASAL SURGERY?
WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING THE CONSULTATION?
WILL INSURANCE COVER MY PROCEDURE?
CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT AN ALARPLASTY IS?
Related Procedures
- Bell’s Palsy
- Chemical Peel
- Chin Augmentation
- Chin Liposuction
- Earlobe Reduction
- Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)
- Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
- Facelift
- Limited Incision Facelift
- Mini Lift
- Facial Asymmetry
- Facial Fat Transfer
- Facial Trauma
- Forehead Lift (Endoscopic)
- Lip Augmentation
- Lip Lift
- Nasal Obstruction
- Neck Lift
- Rhinoplasty
- Revision Rhinoplasty
- Rhinophyma
- Scar Repair
- Skin Cancer
- Threadlift