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A septoplasty can be truly life-changing surgery for those who have to deal with the problems that arise due to a deviated septum. Facial plastic surgeon Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi is able to perform this procedure with skill and expertise, making a deviated septum a thing of the past and enhancing the comfort and quality of life of the patient.

What is a septoplasty?

The thin strip of cartilage that separates the nostrils is our septum. When the septum is or becomes moved out of alignment, a septoplasty is typically performed to correct the problem and put it back in line. An individual can be born with a deviated septum, it can develop with age, or they can develop after injury or trauma such as contact sports or fighting. A septoplasty can involve trimming, repositioning, or replacing the bone and cartilage.

Side profile of a young girl's face

Common problems caused by a deviated septum

  • Headaches
  • Nasal drip
  • Congestion
  • Decrease in airflow
  • Pain in the face
  • Loud breathing or snoring
  • Constant sinus infections
  • Other breathing issues

How is a septoplasty performed?

Depending on the cause of the deviated septum and the extent of repair needed, a septoplasty can be done with either an open approach or a closed approach.

Most of Dr. Tansavatdi’s septoplasty cases are performed with the closed technique, in which she makes an incision inside the nose to expose the crooked septum, removes the portion that is crooked, and then closes the incision. When this technique is used, it doesn’t affect the shape of the nose.

An open approach is used if the nose is visibly crooked. This technique allows Dr. Tansavatdi to open the nose up so that she can access and work on the top of the nose in order to restructure the septum and keep the support of the nose intact.

Recovery from septoplasty

Septoplasty patients typically require about 1-2 weeks of recovery time. Depending on the technique that was used for your specific case, a splint may be placed over the nose to help with healing. A splint is usually taken off in about one week. As with any nose surgery, you will likely experience bruising, swelling, and soreness during your recovery period. To help manage discomfort, Dr. Tansavatdi can prescribe pain medication for you. This can be discussed during your consultation together, along with any other questions or concerns you may have.

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How do I know if I have a deviated septum?

There are a few ways you can test to see if you have a deviated septum:

  1. Plug one side of your nose. If you can’t breathe clearly through the other side (meaning, your breathing is noisy or obstructed), you may have a deviated septum on that side. 
  2. If you sleep on one side because you have trouble breathing through one side of your nose, you may have a deviated septum.
  3. You may have a deviated septum if your nose is visibly crooked.
  4. The best way to know if you have a deviated septum is to visit a specialist like Dr. Tansavatdi for a consultation.

What to expect in your consultation

Before your surgery can be performed, you will meet with Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi in a consultation. During this meeting, she will perform a physical exam of your nose to evaluate your septum and the structure of your nose. She will also go over any medical history involving your nose, and you can discuss your areas of concern and goals for the procedure. Once she has all of this information, Dr. Tansavatdi will take you step-by-step through the septoplasty procedure and recovery, and what you can expect regarding both, including incisions, technique, home care, and so on. Your consultation with Dr. Tansavatdi is the perfect opportunity to voice any questions or concerns you may have.

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Tansavatdi

Thousand Oaks facial plastic surgeon Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi has extensive training in functional nose surgery, one of the most life-changing surgeries available for breathing issues. Her ability to deliver exceptional results, combined with her empathy and excellent bedside manner, has made many of her patients loyal for life. For more information, we invite you to call (805) 715-4996 or contact our office online to schedule a consultation.

WHY CHOOSE FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEON DR. KRISTINA TANSAVATDI?

A Focus on the Face

Most plastic surgeons operate across the entire body. Dr. Tansavatdi has dedicated her entire career to focusing on surgeries on the face and neck. After almost a decade in practice and thousands of successful procedures, she has become the face, neck, eyelid, and nose surgery specialist she is today.

Coveted Credentials

Dr. Tansavatdi is a double board-certified and fellowship-trained facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon.

An Artist’s Eye

Dr. Tansavatdi received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley, completed her medical school at Wake Forest University, finished residency in head and neck surgery, and then dedicated her focus to facial plastic surgery for her fellowship training. Today, the face and neck are her surgical canvas and patients count on her to produce her finest work every time. Her aesthetic philosophy is that an attractive and well-proportioned face and neck only comes from achieving a natural un-operated look. Through a keen eye for detail and incorporating and customizing an approach based on each person’s anatomy, she is able to obtain these goals, uniquely separating her from other surgeons who may practice a cookie-cutter approach and explains why she is able to have such successful results. 

Natural-Looking Results

Dr. Tansavatdi’s artistic background and her ultra-fine focus on facial aesthetics come from a superior understanding of facial anatomy and physiology and what can be done to produce subtle natural-looking results. Every patient is unique and every surgery is uniquely tailored to fit them.

Dr. Tansavatdi in a lab coat smiling
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*The content/images on this website are not a guarantee of individual results. Individual results may vary. The information provided on this site is for general informational purposes only, and does not replace the need for a formal consultation with a plastic and reconstructive surgeon before undergoing a surgical procedure or skin care treatment.

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