Do you constantly struggle to breathe through your nose? If so, you may have looked into nasal surgery but only to stop short because of something you heard.
Myths and misinformation often hold people back from seeking the relief they need. The truth is: nasal surgery isn’t just about changing how your nose looks. It’s often done to fix structural problems that affect how you breathe, sleep and feel every day. Still, many delay care because of outdated ideas or fears about what surgery involves.
We spoke with David Chen, MD, a facial plastic surgeon and ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist with Banner – University Medicine, to help clear up some of the most common myths about nasal surgery.
Myth 1: Nasal surgery is only cosmetic
Truth: Many people hear the term “nose job” and assume all nasal surgery is cosmetic. But nasal surgery isn’t just about appearance. It can also fix real medical problems.
“Nasal surgery can be done for cosmetic and medical purposes, or both at the same time,” Dr. Chen said. “All nasal surgeries are intended to alter the structure of the nose. Depending on the changes that are made, the nose can improve in appearance and function.”
“Examples of medically necessary nasal surgery include fixing blocked breathing from a deviated septum or collapsed nasal passages or fixing a deformity resulting from trauma or other disease,” he added.
Common types of nasal surgery include:
- Septoplasty: Straightens a crooked or off-centered nasal septum (the wall between the left and right sides of the nose).
- Turbinate reduction: Shrinks swollen tissues inside the nose that block airflow.
- Rhinoplasty: Improves the structure of the external nose to help you breathe better, change the appearance of the nose or both.
- Functional rhinoplasty is done to help with breathing.
- Cosmetic rhinoplasty is done to change the appearance.
- Either type of rhinoplasty is often combined with septoplasty, which is called septorhinoplasty.
Myth 2: Nasal surgery is really painful and a risky procedure
Truth: Many people feel uncomfortable in the first week but don’t experience severe pain. And serious risks are rare.
“Compared to other head and neck surgeries like tonsillectomies, nasal surgery is much less painful,” Dr. Chen said. “Discomfort is usually manageable and limited to the first week or two.”
Today’s surgical techniques are also much safer and more precise than in the past. Rhinoplasty and septoplasty are routine procedures performed by skilled ENT specialists and surgeons around the world.
Like any surgery, there are risks. But these are low, especially when performed by a trained expert.
Myth 3: You’ll have nasal packing for weeks
Truth: Long-term packing is rarely used anymore.
One of the biggest fears people have is the idea of “nasal packing,” when gauze or other materials are stuffed in the nose to stop bleeding and support healing.
“We usually use soft silicone splints instead of cotton packing,” Dr. Chen said. “These are left in the nose for about a week and are much more comfortable.”
You might still need to breathe through your mouth a bit during that time, but it’s temporary.
Myth 4: Recovery takes a long time
Truth: Most people are back to their regular routine within a few weeks or a month.
“Most of the healing happens early on,” Dr. Chen said. “You’ll likely have splints inside your nose for the first week, which come out at your follow-up visit. That’s when many people start noticing improved breathing.”
Here’s a basic timeline of what recovery looks like:
- First two to three weeks: You may have swelling, pressure and congestion. Plan to rest and take it easy. No lifting more than 20 pounds, bending over, straining or strenuous activity. Anything that sends a rush of blood to the head can cause a severe nosebleed.
- After a week: People with desk jobs or any job that doesn’t involve heavy lifting, bending over, straining or strenuous activity can return to work after a week.
- One to two months: Swelling has gone down and breathing feels better.
- Up to one year: Full healing can take time, especially for cosmetic changes. But most improvements are felt early on.
“About 80% of swelling goes away within the first six to eight weeks, but the biggest improvements in comfort happen soon after the splints come out,” Dr. Chen said.
Myth 5: Nasal surgery will ruin your sense of smell
Truth: Most people don’t lose their sense of smell after nasal surgery — and some even notice improvement.
It’s normal to worry that surgery on your nose might affect how well you smell. But in most cases, nasal surgery does not cause loss of smell. In fact, if you’ve had trouble smelling because of chronic congestion or a blocked nasal passage, surgery may actually help. People who snore and mouth-breathe at night often feel a major change in how they breathe as well.
If you have concerns, talk with your ENT specialist about what to expect.
Myth 6: It will change the way I look
Truth: Functional nasal surgery focuses on internal structures and typically doesn’t change your appearance.
Some people avoid nasal surgery because they think it will change the shape of their nose or make them look different. That’s not the case, unless that’s what you want.
If you’re not interested in changing your appearance, your surgeon will take care to maintain your nose’s appearance while improving its function.
Myth 7: Nasal surgery is only for adults
Truth: Some teens and even children may need nasal surgery for medical reasons.
Most nasal surgeries are done on adults, but sometimes younger people can benefit too.
“We usually wait until a child has stopped growing before doing surgery that could affect the nose,” Dr. Chen said. “That typically happens in the teen years. But there are some situations where it’s safe and appropriate to do surgery earlier.”
This is true if a child is having serious breathing problems, sleep issues or frequent sinus infections. If your child is struggling, it’s worth talking to a pediatric ENT to learn about your options.
When to consider nasal surgery
You might benefit from talking with a specialist if you experience:
- Chronic nasal congestion that doesn’t improve with medication
- Trouble breathing through one or both nostrils
- Frequent sinus infections
- Snoring or symptoms of sleep apnea
- Nasal trauma or injury that changed how your nose works
- Ongoing headaches or pressure related to sinus blockage
Even if you’ve lived with these symptoms for a long time, that doesn’t mean you have to continue suffering. Many people are surprised to learn that a relatively simple outpatient procedure can provide lasting relief.
Takeaway
There are a lot of myths about nasal surgery, but the reality is much more reassuring. It’s not just about how your nose looks—it’s about how it works. And when done for the right reasons by the right team, nasal surgery is safe, effective and life-changing for many people.
Don’t struggle with nasal congestion, poor sleep or breathing problems. If you or your child is dealing with ongoing nose or sinus issues, it may be time to consider your options.
Schedule an appointment with a Banner Health ENT specialist to learn more.
