subject: Medical And Cosmetic Rhinoplasty Basics In Los Angeles [print this page] For Los Angeles rhinoplasty, it is very important for patients to find out if the reason for their surgery is medical or cosmetic in nature to find out if it will be covered by insurance. Health-related rhinoplasties are often covered by health insurance, whereas cosmetic surgeries are not.
One of the health reasons for rhinoplasty is difficulty breathing due to a deviated septum. A deviated septum, for example, occurs when one of the ridges of nose cartilage leans to either the left or the right, which ultimately causes an obstruction in breathing. A deviated septum can be caused by a congenital disorder, trauma or an inherited genetic disorder.
There are also cosmetic reasons for rhinoplasty. These are often done when a person is unhappy with the way their nose looks. This dissatisfaction can be caused by the size or shape of the nose. Some people feel their noses are too big for the rest of their faces, or they are unhappy with bumps on their noses. Sometimes they are unhappy with the balance of their facial features, and feel that their nose needs to be scaled down so that it balances out the size of their chins. In these instances, surgeons can also include chin implants to make the face more symmetrical.
A rhinoplasty procedure done to repair a deviated septum is called a septoplasty. During a septoplasty, the surgeon has to isolate parts of the cartilage that need to be repaired so it can be restructured to a more symmetrical look. Sometimes the surgeon can perform the septoplasty and reshape the septum without removing the cartilage or bone. With cosmetic rhinoplasty, a surgeon will consult with the patient to find out what they would like their nose to look like, discuss their options, and often show them before and after photos of successful surgeries. In both cases, the patient will be placed under general anesthesia, or will be given sedatives via an intravenous method of delivery. Incisions are made by the doctor afterward. If reshaping of the nose is needed, which is often the case with cosmetic surgeries, cartilage from the septum, ear, or rib can be used.
After reshaping has been completed, the incisions are closed and gauze and splints will be inserted in order to help the nose heal while holding its shape intact. When the swelling subsides and the nose heals, it will then begin to gradually change its contours.
