Rhinoplasty to Breathe Better | Combining Form and Function
An In-Depth Look at How Nasal Surgery Can Resolve Obstruction and Support Structural Harmony
While rhinoplasty is commonly known for improving the appearance of the nose, it can also be a powerful tool for improving how you breathe.
For patients struggling with nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum, narrowed nasal valves, or other internal structural issues, rhinoplasty for breathing, often combined with septoplasty, offers functional relief with natural-looking results.
At Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Richard Balikian blends form and function to restore nasal airflow while enhancing your facial balance.
What Is Functional Rhinoplasty?
Functional rhinoplasty refers to a rhinoplasty operation performed with the primary goal of improving nasal breathing.
This often involves septoplasty, a procedure that corrects a deviated nasal septum, the cartilage and bone that divides the nasal cavity. When combined, this approach is often called a septorhinoplasty.
Common structural problems addressed include:
- Deviated septum
- Collapsed nasal valves
- Enlarged turbinates
- Internal scarring or past trauma
These issues can obstruct airflow, making it difficult to breathe through the nose, especially during sleep or exercise.
How Dr. Balikian Approaches Rhinoplasty for Breathing
As a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and ENT specialist, Dr. Balikian takes a comprehensive approach to every rhinoplasty case. His focus is on creating results that feel as good as they look.
“Function always comes first. If a patient can’t breathe well, fixing the structure and improving airflow is the foundation of everything else we do.”
– Dr. Balikian
Each breathing-focused rhinoplasty is custom-designed to:
- Straighten the nasal septum (septoplasty)
- Reinforce weakened structures using cartilage grafts or spreader grafts
- Improve the internal valve angle to reduce resistance
- Address both cosmetic and functional concerns simultaneously, when desired
This personalized approach ensures that patients not only breathe better but also achieve natural, balanced results that enhance both function and appearance.
Form, Function, and Facial Harmony
Benefits of Rhinoplasty for Breathing
If you struggle with nasal obstruction, a breathing-focused rhinoplasty can offer lasting relief that goes far beyond appearance.
- Easier, more consistent nasal breathing
- Improved sleep and reduced mouth breathing
- Better physical performance and oxygenation
- Relief from chronic congestion or pressure
- Enhanced appearance when cosmetic reshaping is included
By improving airflow and nasal structure, rhinoplasty helps patients not only look better, but feel healthier, more energized, and more comfortable every day. Many patients also report improved smell, energy, and quality of life after surgery.
Improve Your Breathing
What to Expect from a Septorhinoplasty
The procedure typically takes 1 to 2 hours and is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Balikian uses a closed or open technique depending on your anatomy and goals.
Recovery Timeline
- Week 1 : Internal splints and external cast are removed. Swelling and congestion begin to resolve.
- Weeks 2–4 : Breathing noticeably improves. Most patients return to normal activity.
- Months 2–12 : Internal healing and refinement continue. Final breathing and cosmetic results are gradually revealed.
With each stage of healing, patients experience steadily improving function and appearance, culminating in long-term results that enhance both breathing and confidence.
Functional + Cosmetic = The Best of Both Worlds
If you’re considering rhinoplasty to both improve your breathing and enhance the appearance of your nose, Dr. Balikian can often address both goals in a single, thoughtfully planned procedure.
By combining septoplasty or internal nasal corrections with cosmetic refinement, he ensures that the structural function of your nose is optimized, while also creating a balanced, natural look that complements your features.
This integrated approach not only reduces the need for multiple surgeries but also leads to more cohesive, satisfying results.
Is This Procedure Right for You?
You may benefit from rhinoplasty for breathing if you:
- Have difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils
- Have been diagnosed with a deviated septum
- Experience nasal congestion that doesn’t respond to medication
- Have had prior nasal trauma or injury
- Want to improve your nasal appearance while fixing functional issues
By planning your procedure with function in mind, you reduce the risk of post-operative obstruction and get long-term results that support both airflow and aesthetics.
Ready to Breathe Better?
Learn More About Facial Plastic Surgery
Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Richard Balikian is a highly respected facial plastic surgeon serving the San Diego area.
With over 20 years of experience and double board certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Balikian offers a unique combination of technical expertise and artistic vision.
He is part of an elite group of surgeons with extensive training focused exclusively on the face and neck.
Scientific References
Read the Science
- Rhee JS, Sullivan CD, Frank DO. The effect of rhinoplasty on nasal airflow: objective and subjective improvements. Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery. 2012 Nov-Dec;14(6):419–426.
- Shivhare P, Rai A, Panda NK. Impact of rhinoplasty on nasal breathing and olfactory function. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. 2024 Mar;76(Suppl 1):78–83.
- Mladina R, Skitarelić N, Poje G. Quality of life and patient satisfaction after septoplasty and rhinoplasty. Collegium Antropologicum. 2011 Jun;35(2):561–563.
- Tardy ME, Cheng J. The role of septal surgery in cosmetic rhinoplasty. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. 2013 Aug;21(3):357–367.
- Vaidyanathan S, et al. Septoplasty versus medical management in nasal obstruction: a randomized trial. Laryngoscope. 2024 Feb;134(2):366–372.
Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery: Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
