How do I know whether I need rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty?

The decision is based on whether you have breathing problems, cosmetic concerns, or both. If your breathing is normal and you are seeking aesthetic changes only, cosmetic rhinoplasty is usually appropriate. If you have breathing difficulties, the procedure may need to address nasal function alone or combine functional and cosmetic correction.

When is cosmetic rhinoplasty the right procedure?

Cosmetic rhinoplasty is suitable when breathing through the nose is completely normal and there are no symptoms of nasal obstruction, valve collapse or septal deviation. The surgery focuses purely on appearance, such as refining a hump, narrowing the bridge, adjusting tip projection or reducing bulbosity, without altering internal structures unless necessary.

What is functional septorhinoplasty?

Functional septorhinoplasty is performed when a patient has breathing problems but is otherwise happy with the external appearance of their nose. The surgery corrects internal structural issues such as a deviated septum, nasal valve collapse, framework asymmetry or weakness, with the aim of improving airflow and long-term nasal stability while preserving the natural appearance.

What is cosmetic septorhinoplasty?

Cosmetic septorhinoplasty is recommended when a patient has both breathing problems and concerns about the shape of their nose. This comprehensive procedure addresses functional issues such as septal deviation and valve collapse, alongside cosmetic refinements including hump reduction, tip reshaping, straightening, rotation and nostril balance.

What symptoms suggest I may need septorhinoplasty rather than rhinoplasty?

Symptoms suggesting the need for septorhinoplasty include persistent nasal blockage, difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils, nasal valve collapse, snoring related to obstruction, visible deviation of the nose, or asymmetry linked to internal structural problems.

How does revision rhinoplasty differ from primary rhinoplasty?

Revision or secondary rhinoplasty is performed after previous nose surgery and is more complex than primary procedures. It may involve scar tissue, structural collapse or loss of cartilage support, often requiring advanced reconstructive techniques and cartilage grafting, including rib grafts. Each revision case is assessed individually.

Will correcting my breathing change the appearance of my nose?

In functional septorhinoplasty, the goal is to improve airflow while preserving the natural appearance of the nose. Minor external changes may occur if required to support breathing, but cosmetic shape changes are only made when specifically desired and planned.

Can one operation address both breathing and cosmetic concerns?

Yes. Cosmetic septorhinoplasty is specifically designed to address both functional problems and aesthetic concerns in a single operation, providing a long-term solution for nasal airflow and appearance.

How is the correct nose surgery decided?

The correct procedure is determined through a structured consultation that assesses breathing function, nasal anatomy, aesthetic concerns and patient goals. This ensures that surgery is tailored to whether the priority is cosmetic improvement, functional correction, or a combination of both.

How Do I Know If I Need a Septorhinoplasty or a Rhinoplasty?

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59 minutes ago
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lowchart explaining how to choose between cosmetic rhinoplasty and functional septorhinoplasty based on breathing symptoms and aesthetic concerns, with treatment options and pricing from Tim Biggs Rhinoplasty.

For many patients considering nose surgery, one of the first questions is:

“Do I need a rhinoplasty, a septorhinoplasty, or a functional procedure?”

It can feel confusing at first, especially if you are not sure whether your concerns are primarily cosmetic, functional, or a combination of the two. To make this simpler, I’ve created a clear, easy-to-follow decision chart that shows exactly how we determine which operation is most appropriate and why.

At Adnova Clinic in Fareham, patients from Portsmouth, Southampton, Winchester and across Hampshire often arrive unsure which procedure fits their needs. This guide explains how we decide together.

Step 1: Do You Have Any Issues Breathing Through Your Nose?

This is the most important starting point.

If the to this is NO

If your breathing is completely normal and you have no symptoms of nasal blockage, snoring, valve collapse or septal deviation, then you are likely seeking cosmetic changes only.

In this case, the appropriate procedure is:

Cosmetic Rhinoplasty = indicative price £10,500

This focuses solely on improving the appearance of your nose — for example refining a hump, narrowing the bridge, adjusting tip projection or reducing bulbosity — without altering internal structures unless necessary.

Step 2: If You Do Have Breathing Problems

If you answered YES, the next question determines whether your operation needs to address function alone or function and appearance.

“Is there anything about the shape of your nose that you would like to improve?”

This includes concerns such as:

hump or dorsal bump
tip droop or over-projection
asymmetry
visible deviation
wide or uneven nostrils
imbalance on photos

If You Have Breathing Issues But No Cosmetic Concerns

If you breathe poorly but are happy with the appearance of your nose, the appropriate surgery is:

Functional Septorhinoplasty – indicative price £8,500

This corrects the internal structures that cause blockage, such as:

deviated septum
nasal valve collapse
structural weakness
asymmetry of the nasal framework

The goal is improved airflow, stability and long-term function, without altering your natural external appearance unless required for breathing.

If You Have Breathing Issues And Cosmetic Concerns

If you want to improve both your breathing and the external shape of your nose, the most suitable operation is:

Cosmetic Septorhinoplasty – indicative price £10,500

This is a comprehensive rhinoplasty procedure. It addresses both:

functional problems (septal deviation, valve collapse, obstruction)
cosmetic shape changes (hump removal, tip refinement, straightening, rotation, nostril balance)

This procedure is ideal for patients who want a long-term solution for both airflow and appearance.

What About Revision Surgery?

If you’ve had previous nose surgery and are considering revision, the procedure is more complex.

Revision / Secondary Rhinoplasty: indicative price £11,500 – £13,000

The exact cost depends on:

healing problems
scar tissue
structural collapse
need for cartilage grafts (including rib grafts)

Revision surgery requires advanced reconstructive techniques and is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Summary: A Simple Pathway to the Right Operation

Your chart can be summed up simply:

Breathing normal + aesthetic concerns = Cosmetic Rhinoplasty
Breathing impaired + no shape concerns = Functional Septorhinoplasty
Breathing impaired + aesthetic concerns = Cosmetic Septorhinoplasty

This structured approach ensures every patient receives the right surgery for their goals — whether functional, cosmetic, or both.

If you are still unsure, I am always happy to discuss your symptoms, concerns and desired outcomes during consultation at Adnova Clinic in Fareham.

To enquire or book an assessment:

📍 Adnova Clinic

More information:

www.timbiggs.co.uk

www.adnovaclinic.com