A deviated septum is diagnosed when the bone and cartilage dividing your nose (called the septum) is misaligned. The condition leads to a variety of issues, such as pain, breathing problems, and nosebleeds. Septoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to correct this misalignment and is, in fact, the only way to correct a deviated septum. With the septum straightened, the patient’s nostrils are once again the same size, improving airflow, which alleviates the symptoms of a deviated septum.
Do I Have a Deviated Septum? Recognizing the Signs
A deviated septum is more common than most people realize, with prevalence rates as high as 86% in some studies. For many people, the deviation is mild enough that it never causes any noticeable symptoms. Those who do notice tend to describe a quality of life that feels vaguely diminished, citing issues like ongoing congestion, poor sleep and reliance on nasal sprays that only offer short-term relief.
The septum can be asymmetrical from birth, or the misalignment can develop following nasal trauma, as with a broken nose. In either case, the structural imbalance within the nasal cavity is one that no medication or saline rinse can permanently correct. Non-surgical options like nasal corticosteroids, antihistamines and decongestants may ease certain symptoms temporarily, but they do not target the underlying structural problem.
Symptoms associated with a clinically significant deviated septum include:
- Chronic nasal congestion, often more pronounced on one side
- Recurrent sinus infections
- Sleep disruption and habitual snoring
- Frequent nosebleeds, particularly in dry or low-humidity environments
- Facial pressure and sinus headaches
- Dry mouth from relying on mouth breathing
- A reduced or altered sense of smell
Not every deviated septum requires surgery, but when these symptoms are persistent and significantly affect your daily life, septoplasty offers a permanent solution.
Procedure Walk-through
- Preparation: Begin preparing for your procedure at least two weeks ahead of time, especially if you take blood-thinning medications or smoke. Blood thinning medications include NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen as well as certain vitamins and supplements like Gingko biloba. Stop smoking and increase hydration both before and after your procedure to aid in healing.
- Anesthesia: The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, meaning you will sleep throughout the surgery. General anesthesia requires the patient to fast from midnight on. You will also need a caregiver to drive you home.
- Preoperative Consult: During your consultation, Dr. Vallecillos discusses your goals with treatment and helps you set reasonable expectations. He also looks at your full medical history, including any medications you take and previous procedures. This is also the time to ask any procedural questions you have. Finally, the doctor provides both pre-and postoperative instructions.
Septoplasty
The procedure takes approximately 90 minutes. After administering the anesthesia, Dr. Vallecillos creates an incision on one side of your nose, lifting the mucous membrane (the septum’s protective covering). He then repositions the septum and removes any extra tissue, such as bone or cartilage. Next, he repositions the mucous membrane, packs the area with cotton to control bleeding, and closes the incision.
Am I a Good Candidate for Septoplasty?
The ideal candidate for septoplasty has a confirmed deviated septum that is producing significant, persistent obstruction in the nose and hasn’t responded well to non-surgical options. That said, the only way to definitively determine your candidacy is through an in-person consultation with Dr. Vallecillos, who will assess your nasal anatomy, review your medical history and give you an honest picture of whether surgery is the right call.
Patients who tend to be strong candidates generally share the following:
- A confirmed deviated septum causing notable breathing difficulty, chronic congestion or sleep disruption
- A history of trying non-surgical approaches (saline rinses, topical nasal steroids or decongestants, etc.) without achieving meaningful, lasting relief
- Good overall health with no contraindications to general anesthesia
- Realistic expectations about the scope of what septoplasty addresses
Age is a consideration as well. Because the nasal structures continue developing through adolescence, septoplasty is generally deferred in younger patients unless symptoms are severe enough to warrant earlier intervention. For most adults, this is not a limiting factor.
Can Septoplasty Be Combined With Rhinoplasty?
Yes. For patients who want to address the appearance of their nose alongside correcting a deviated septum, combining the two procedures offers a practical way to achieve both with less total downtime than having the surgeries separately. This combination is commonly referred to as septorhinoplasty, and it allows Dr. Vallecillos to address internal nasal function and external form.
Repositioning the septum often requires accessing the cartilage that contributes to the nose’s overall shape and structure. For patients whose deviated septum has shifted the nasal tip to one side or created visible nostril asymmetry, septoplasty addresses the internal obstruction while rhinoplasty refines the overall shape and proportions of the nose — all in one procedure.
Why Choose Dr. Vallecillos for Septoplasty in Beverly Hills?
Dr. Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons with a training history that spans continents. He completed his undergraduate education at UCLA, his clinical medical training at St. Bartholomew’s and the Royal Medical College in London and his fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Providence & St. John’s Medical Center in Southfield, Michigan.
Dr. Vallecillos brings extensive experience with nasal surgery across functional and aesthetic domains. His work with rhinoplasty and reconstructive rhinoplasty gives him a nuanced, three-dimensional understanding of nasal anatomy that is directly relevant when planning either procedure or a combined approach.
Beyond the operating room, Dr. Vallecillos is an active national speaker and a regular contributor to publications including the European Journal of Plastic Surgery. He serves as a Senior Faculty Member of Palette/Scientiae, providing continuing medical education to surgeons and healthcare providers across the country. He has sat on the Advisory Boards of Allergan, Suneva and Hans Biomed, and served as a clinical investigator for Mentor Corporation.
Take it from a real patient:
“Dr Glenn is the #1 in the industry. He is a renowned expert, an artist, a master at what he does. He takes his craft seriously and treats every patient with the greatest level of care. All of his staff are professional and courteous, and Angel is undoubtedly the most exceptional. He is kind, knowledgeable and treats you like family. You leave the office feeling you’ve really been taken care of, and that’s rare to find. So many thanks to Dr G, Angel and everyone!”
-Rebecca K, Google Reviews
Breathe Freely Again With Septoplasty by Dr. Vallecillos
If a deviated septum has been quietly limiting your sleep, your energy and your daily comfort, septoplasty offers a permanent solution that you can count on. Dr. Vallecillos and his team are ready to walk you through what’s possible and put together a plan that makes sense for you.
Contact our Beverly Hills office at (310) 273-3007 or schedule your consultation online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a candidate for septoplasty?
Septoplasty is performed on patients who have a deviated septum.
What is the recovery time for septoplasty?
This is an outpatient procedure that requires several weeks of recovery time before resuming your regular schedule. Follow Dr. Vallecillos’ postoperative instructions exactly to ensure optimum recovery.
In general, you may remove the cotton packing within 48 hours of your surgery. The doctor may prescribe pain medication, but will likely ask you to avoid over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, as these thin your blood and may cause bleeding problems.
Limit physical activity for three to four weeks, including intense aerobic activity, contact sports, and weight training. Any activity that leads to heavy breathing and higher blood pressure may interfere with healing.
You’ll promote healing by sleeping with your head in an elevated position and sticking to button-up clothing for the first week. In addition, do not blow your nose during this time. Though the incision heals quickly, the tissues continue shifting for up to a year.
Are there risks or side effects associated with septoplasty?
Every surgery carries certain risks, including scarring, bleeding, and infection. Risks unique to septoplasty occur rarely and include a perforated septum, decreased sense of smell, discoloration, and an altered shape to your nose.
How long do the results last?
Results are permanent. However, as cartilage continues shifting over time, some patients require a second surgery. It takes at least 12 months to determine the need for revision.
Does a deviated septum always require surgery?
No. Many people with a deviated septum never need surgical correction because their symptoms are mild or absent. Septoplasty is recommended when the structural misalignment causes significant, persistent nasal obstruction that does not respond adequately to non-surgical management. A consultation with Dr. Vallecillos will clarify whether surgery is the right option for your situation.
Will septoplasty change the way my nose looks?
Septoplasty is a functional procedure focused on correcting internal nasal anatomy. It does not alter the external shape of the nose. If you are also interested in changing how your nose looks, Dr. Vallecillos can discuss combining septoplasty with rhinoplasty in a single procedure, a combination commonly called septorhinoplasty.
Is septoplasty covered by insurance?
Because septoplasty addresses a documented structural condition that affects breathing rather than aesthetic concerns, it may be eligible for insurance coverage. Coverage depends on your specific plan and the documentation of your symptoms. Our team can help guide you through the inquiry process. For patients exploring additional options, visit our financing page.
How should I prepare for my septoplasty consultation?
Arriving prepared helps Dr. Vallecillos conduct the most thorough evaluation possible. Bring a list of all current medications and supplements, a summary of any prior nasal or facial procedures and a clear description of your symptoms, including how long you’ve had them, how they affect your daily life and what, if anything, has provided temporary relief. The more specific you can be, the better Dr. Vallecillos can tailor his assessment and recommendations to your case.