If Your Bridge Seems Lower After Deviated Septum Surgery — What a Front Photo Cannot Tell You (Q&A)
2024. 3. 13.
An answer to a question about the bridge seeming lower and the nostrils seeming larger after deviated septum surgery (functional nose surgery). Why side and basal-view photos are needed, and how appearance can change even with functional surgery alone.
Key points
- To tell whether the bridge got lower you need a side photo; to tell whether the nostrils got larger you need a photo taken from below.
- A front photo alone makes both hard to confirm.
- Even after functional surgery alone, the possibility of appearance change is not dismissed online — it is checked with same-angle photos and an examination.
A question came in about this situation: the clinic that performed the surgery says nothing changed in the shape, but in the mirror the bridge seems to have sunk and the nostrils seem larger. The asker wanted an objective opinion and posted before-and-after photos together.
01
What was the question?
- I had surgery for a deviated septum — that is, functional nose surgery (rhinitis nose).
- After surgery, my bridge feels lower and my nostrils seem larger.
- The doctor who operated says the nose shape has not changed at all.
- Still, I wanted an objective check, so I am posting before (left) and after (right) photos with my question.
- I would also appreciate an evaluation of my nose shape itself.
02
Can the bridge and nostrils be compared with a front photo alone?
It is difficult — because the photo angle you need differs depending on what you want to check.
| What you want to check | Photo needed |
|---|---|
| Whether the bridge got lower | A photo taken from the side |
| Whether the nostrils got larger | A photo taken from below |
Both things the asker mentioned are items that are hard to confirm with a front photo alone. That is why we are cautious about judging "it got lower" or "it stayed the same" before placing same-angle before-and-after photos side by side.
We do not conclude there is no change from a front photo alone. Side and basal photos under the same conditions, the surgical record, and the current support structure must be reviewed together.
03
Does the nose shape change with functional surgery alone?
Even when the goal was functional improvement, appearance can change depending on the surgical range and the state of septal support. Do not dismiss an individual's change with average figures — check the surgical record and current structure with your surgeon.
If your current nose state keeps bothering you, another option is to have it checked by angle in a 1:1 video consultation. Actual shape changes can also be compared in before-and-after photos.
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Summary
The feeling that something looks different after surgery is common. But confirming that feeling requires photos at the right angles. The bridge from the side, the nostrils from below — with those two shots, before and after can finally be placed side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions patients ask before a consultation.
The clinic that operated says nothing changed — why does it look different?
What photos should I prepare for an easier check?
Can the bridge get lower after deviated septum surgery?
Responses to treatment and recovery progress vary by individual. Outcomes and side effects vary from person to person. Bleeding, infection, swelling and asymmetry may occur. Please consult our medical team before making a decision.