For many people, concerns about their nose are not just cosmetic. Chronic congestion, mouth breathing, snoring, or a feeling of “never quite getting enough air” can all stem from structural issues inside the nose. Septorhinoplasty is a procedure that addresses both sides of this problem at once: how your nose works and how it looks.

At Cutis Cosmetic, Dr. Lemckert performs septorhinoplasty to improve nasal airflow while creating a nose that fits your face and feels natural to you.

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What Is Septorhinoplasty?

Septorhinoplasty combines two elements:

  • Septoplasty – straightening and reshaping the nasal septum (the wall of cartilage and bone that divides the nostrils) to improve breathing.
  • Rhinoplasty – refining the outer shape of the nose to improve its appearance.

A standard septoplasty focuses purely on function, usually to treat a deviated septum and nasal obstruction. A cosmetic rhinoplasty focuses on appearance alone. Septorhinoplasty brings these together in a singe surgery so patients do not have to choose between breathing better and liking how their nose looks.

Common aesthetic refinements during septorhinoplasty include:

  • Smoothing a dorsal hump on the bridge
  • Correcting a twist or crooked nose
  • Refining the nasal tip (bulbous, droopy, or under-projected tip)
  • Adjusting tip projection and rotation for a more balanced side profile

Sometimes the nose is actually augmented rather than reduced—for example, increasing tip projection or support in a recessed nose to better balance the face.

Who Might Benefit From Septorhinoplasty?

Many candidates for septorhinoplasty have a deviated nasal septum—where the central wall of the nose is off-centre or bent. Large epidemiological studies suggest that up to around 80% of people have some degree of septal deviation, although only a portion develop significant symptoms.

You might consider septorhinoplasty if you have:

  • Chronic nasal blockage on one or both sides
  • Habitual mouth breathing, especially at night
  • Snoring or sleep-disordered breathing where nasal obstruction can interfere with CPAP use.
  • A history of nasal trauma with a crooked or twisted nose
  • Cosmetic concerns such as:
    • A dorsal hump on the bridge
    • A droopy, bulbous, or under-projected tip
    • Noticeable asymmetry in photos

Dr. Lemckert notes that the nasal profile can be changed to reduce a hump or refine a droopy or shapeless tip, and that in some cases the nasal bridge is built up or the tip is projected using cartilage grafts from the septum to achieve a balanced look.

If your only concern is the external shape, rhinoplasty alone may be appropriate. When breathing and appearance are both issues, septorhinoplasty aligns better with your goals.

The Role of Turbinates and Nasal Airflow

Inside each side of the nose are turbinate's—curved ridges of tissue that help warm, filter, and humidify the air you breathe. When they are chronically enlarged (turbinate hypertrophy), they can narrow the airway and contribute to congestion, mouth breathing, and even sleep disruption.

Current ENT literature highlights that:

  • Turbinate hypertrophy is a major anatomical cause of persistent nasal obstruction.
  • Combining septal surgery with turbinate reduction often leads to better airflow and quality-of-life improvements than septoplasty alone in appropriately selected patients.

In many functional septorhinoplasty cases, the septum is straightened, and the turbinates are conservatively reduced in the same operation to optimize breathing.

How Dr. Lemckert Approaches Septorhinoplasty

Dr. Lemckert’s septorhinoplasty at Cutis highlights a few key principles:

  1. Dual-purpose planning: He emphasizes that septorhinoplasty is designed to improve nasal function and address cosmetic concerns in one surgery, rather than treating these separate problems.
  2. Customized nasal profile
     The nasal profile can be changed in several ways:
    1. Reducing or smoothing a dorsal hump
    1. Straightening a twist or crooked bridge
    1. Refining the nasal tip (reducing fullness, lifting a droopy tip, adjusting projection)

In some patients, cartilage grafts from the septum are used to build support and shape, particularly for a weak or under-projected tip.

  • Matching procedure to goals
    When someone has only external cosmetic concerns, Dr. Lemckert notes that rhinoplasty alone may be appropriate. When breathing is impaired and the outer shape is a concern, septorhinoplasty is usually the better choice.
  • Safe, efficient setting
    Septorhinoplasty is performed under a general anesthetic and, in most cases, as a day surgery. Patients typically go home the same day, with careful post-operative instructions and follow-up.

What to Expect from Septorhinoplasty and Recovery

Although recovery is individual, Dr. Lemckert’s guidance that recovery is generally about two weeks lines up with broader rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty experience:

  • First 7–10 days
    • Nasal splint or cast in place
    • Congestion and a “stuffy nose” feeling are very common
    • Bruising and swelling around the eyes peak, then start to fade
  • Around 2 weeks
    • Many people feel comfortable returning to desk work or social activities with light makeup or glasses to camouflage any residual bruising.

Multiple rhinoplasty recovery guides and clinical sources note that while patients feel socially presentable after a couple of weeks, swelling continues to settle for months, with the final shape—especially at the tip—becoming clear between 6 and 12 months.

What Does the Evidence Say About Septorhinoplasty Outcomes?

Recent studies underscore why septorhinoplasty is such a powerful option for the right patient:

  • Improved breathing and quality of life
    Trials and observational studies of septoplasty (with or without turbinoplasty) show significant improvements in nasal obstruction scores and disease-specific quality of life using tools like the NOSE (Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation) scale.

  • Functional + aesthetic gains together
    Septorhinoplasty research emphasizes that success is measured in two dimensions: airflow and appearance. Patients commonly report better breathing and higher satisfaction with how their nose looks when both goals are planned together from the outset.

  • High satisfaction when expectations are aligned
     A recent study found that about 88% of septorhinoplasty patients reported high satisfaction post-operatively when pre-operative counselling was thorough and realistic.

Put simply: septorhinoplasty can meaningfully improve comfort, confidence, and quality of life when carefully tailored to the individual.

Septorhinoplasty Across Ages: Not Just for Teenagers

Emerging trends show a growing number of patients in their 30s, 40s, and 50s choosing rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty—not for a dramatic change, but for subtle refinement and better breathing. An in-depth feature on “over-40 nose jobs” reports that midlife patients often seek conservative changes and are highly motivated by function, facial balance, and the desire not to “look like someone else.”

This aligns closely with the personalized, natural-looking results that Dr. Lemckert’s approach to septorhinoplasty aims to deliver.

Is Septorhinoplasty Right for You?

You may be a good candidate to see Dr. Lemckert about septorhinoplasty at Cutis if:

  • You have persistent nasal obstruction that hasn’t responded to medical treatments

  • A deviated septum, past nasal injury, or turbinate hypertrophy has been identified

  • You are unhappy with your nasal profile (hump, droopy or bulbous tip, crooked nose)

  • You want a natural, face-balanced change rather than an extreme makeover

  • You are healthy enough for general anaesthesia and have realistic expectations

Dr. Lemckert’s own summary is that septorhinoplasty is a dual-purpose surgery: it is designed to help you breathe better while addressing the aesthetic details that matter to you, in a single, carefully planned procedure.

To find out whether septorhinoplasty is appropriate in your situation, the next step is a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Lemckert at Cutis Cosmetic, where your breathing concerns, cosmetic goals, and medical history can all be reviewed together.

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How Much Does a Septorhinoplasty Cost? Can I Finance It?

Septorhinoplasty with a private cosmetic surgeon in Ontario typically starts around $10,000 and can go up to $16,000+ CAD, depending on how complex your breathing issues and cosmetic goals are, as well as operating room and anesthesia fees. In some cases, the breathing-correction portion may be covered if it’s done in a hospital and deemed medically necessary, but the cosmetic reshaping is almost always an out-of-pocket cost.

Cutis Cosmetics also emphasizes flexible financing with Beautifi, allowing you to “have your procedure now, pay later” with structured monthly payments, subject to approval.

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FAQs: Septorhinoplasty

Q: What is septorhinoplasty, and how is it different from a regular nose job?

A: Septorhinoplasty is a combined functional and cosmetic nose surgery. It straightens the septum and improves internal airflow (like a septoplasty) while also reshaping the external nose (like a rhinoplasty). It’s typically chosen when you have both breathing problems and cosmetic concerns, rather than appearance alone.

Q: Am I a good candidate for septorhinoplasty with Dr. Lemckert?

A: You may be a candidate if you have persistent nasal blockage, a deviated septum or nasal injury, and you’re also bothered by the shape of your nose (such as a hump, droopy or bulbous tip, or crooked bridge). You should be in good general health, a non-smoker (or willing to stop as directed), and have realistic expectations about recovery and results.

Q: What is recovery like after septorhinoplasty?

A: Most patients experience congestion, pressure, and facial swelling for the first week, often with a small splint or cast on the nose. Bruising around the eyes is common and usually fades within 7–10 days. Many people feel “socially presentable” after about two weeks, but subtle swelling—especially at the tip—continues to improve over several months. Final results can take 6–12 months to fully settle.

Q: Will septorhinoplasty improve my breathing as well as my appearance?

A: That is the goal. The functional part of surgery straightens the septum and may reduce enlarged turbinates to open the airway. At the same time, the outer nose can be refined to better match your facial features. When both are planned together, patients often report easier breathing, less mouth breathing at night, and greater confidence in how their nose looks.

Q: What are the main risks of septorhinoplasty?

A: Risks include bleeding, infection, prolonged swelling, persistent or recurrent nasal obstruction, asymmetry or contour irregularities, changes in sensation, and the possibility of revision surgery. Serious complications are uncommon but will be discussed in detail at your consultation so you can weigh benefits and risks for your specific case.

Q: How long will my septorhinoplasty results last?

A: The structural changes to your septum and nasal framework are designed to be long-lasting. While your face will continue to age naturally and soft tissues can change over time, most patients enjoy stable improvements in both breathing and nasal shape for many years + does not require repeat surgery. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and protecting your nose from injury help preserve your results.