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 in Thousand Oaks 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.

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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.
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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.

Patient Testimonials

“Dr. Tansavatdi and her staff are incredible! I was very nervous about getting rhinoplasty and when I found Dr. T, she made me feel so comfortable. From the consultation to the post op appointments, she is there to answer any questions. Sarah and Yvonne were amazing and helped me...

“Dr. Tansavatdi and her staff are incredible! I was very nervous about getting rhinoplasty and when I found Dr. T, she made me feel so comfortable. From the consultation to the post op appointments, she is there to answer any questions. Sarah and Yvonne were amazing and helped me with anything I needed. I am so thankful I found Dr. Tansavatdi and I absolutely love my nose!”
Ashley S.

“I wanted to improve my breathing and to fix my crooked nose, and Dr. T went above and beyond to make me feel at ease throughout the entire rhinoplasty process from our consultation to the post surgery follow ups. I chose Dr. Tansavatdi because she makes sure you are at a complet...

“I wanted to improve my breathing and to fix my crooked nose, and Dr. T went above and beyond to make me feel at ease throughout the entire rhinoplasty process from our consultation to the post surgery follow ups. I chose Dr. Tansavatdi because she makes sure you are at a complete understanding of everything that will be happening, and if I had any questions, she and her amazing staff were there to help me feel comfortable. I am so happy I had this procedure done and recommend anyone thinking about getting a rhinoplasty to meet with Dr. T. She changed my life and I feel so confident!”
Asquire29

“I cannot praise Dr. Tansavatdi and her entire team enough. I had an amazing experience since the moment I arrived to her office for a consultation. Everyone is very warm and genuine, and I do value that very much. She performed a rhinoplasty and I couldn’t be any happier with th...

“I cannot praise Dr. Tansavatdi and her entire team enough. I had an amazing experience since the moment I arrived to her office for a consultation. Everyone is very warm and genuine, and I do value that very much. She performed a rhinoplasty and I couldn’t be any happier with the results. She also performed a NeckTite procedure combined with Fractora. It was my first time getting any kind of surgery done on my face, and I always felt at ease with Dr. T. and her team. Everyone is very professional, and I honestly believe Dr. T. is the best surgeon out there.”
Marie100719

“Dr. Tansavatdi is a miracle worker, plain and simple. I cannot recommend her enough. I went to Dr. T with a septoplasty that went terribly wrong. There were multiple problems done by the previous doctor. I came to Dr. T feeling insecure, hopeless, and defeated after enduring a b...

“Dr. Tansavatdi is a miracle worker, plain and simple. I cannot recommend her enough. I went to Dr. T with a septoplasty that went terribly wrong. There were multiple problems done by the previous doctor. I came to Dr. T feeling insecure, hopeless, and defeated after enduring a botched procedure. I chose Dr. T because she specializes in nasal revision surgeries. She was very up front and honest about all of the limitations of my procedure as well as the possible challenges she might face in surgery. The results of Dr. T's work FAR exceeded my expectations!  She spent much longer than expected during my procedure to ensure the best results.  I highly recommend Dr. Tansavatdi for any nasal procedures.  She is a protectionist and truly the best at what she does.  You can rest assured that you will be in good hands.”
Jaclyn H.

“I am so blessed to have found Dr. T! Not only has she performed a scar revision on my forehead, but she just recently performed a much needed and anticipated septorhinoplasty. I chose Dr. T for several reasons: She is local, she has great reviews, and I really liked her before a...

“I am so blessed to have found Dr. T! Not only has she performed a scar revision on my forehead, but she just recently performed a much needed and anticipated septorhinoplasty. I chose Dr. T for several reasons: She is local, she has great reviews, and I really liked her before and after photos of patients. Dr T and her staff are very professional, warm and friendly. All of my concerns and questions were answered and I felt very comfortable going into surgery. Post-op care is just as exceptional as pre-op and most importantly, I am beyond pleased with my results: she gave me the nose I always wanted! I highly recommend Dr. Tansavatdi for any facial cosmetic procedure. She does not disappoint!”
Michelle C.

Frequently Asked Questions Septoplasty

Can a septoplasty be combined with a rhinoplasty?

Yes. Septoplasty is frequently performed alongside a rhinoplasty in a procedure called septorhinoplasty, allowing functional and cosmetic concerns to be addressed simultaneously. Combining the two procedures results in a single recovery period and improved breathing and appearance.

Are septoplasties covered by insurance?

Because a septoplasty corrects a functional breathing problem rather than a cosmetic concern, it is often covered at least in part by health insurance. Dr. Tansavatdi's team will help you understand your coverage options before surgery.

Will a septoplasty change the external appearance of my nose?

In most cases, a closed septoplasty does not alter the external shape of the nose. If an open approach is required to address a visibly crooked nose, some external changes may occur. Dr. Tansavatdi will clarify what to expect based on your specific situation.

How long do the results of septoplasty last?

Septoplasty results are permanent. Once the septum has been repositioned and the cartilage and bone have healed in their corrected alignment, the improvement in airflow and structural support is long-lasting and typically does not require repeat surgery.

Can a deviated septum come back after septoplasty?

In rare cases, particularly following significant trauma to the nose after surgery, the septum can shift again. However, for the vast majority of patients, septoplasty provides a lasting correction that does not recur under normal circumstances.

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