Septorhinoplasty

A dual-purpose surgery correcting a deviated septum for improved breathing while simultaneously refining the external nose shape for aesthetic harmony.

Home Procedure Face Septorhinoplasty

Practitioner: Dr Mohaghegh, Specialist Plastic Surgeon (MED0001627149)
Location: Sydney, NSW

What is Septorhinoplasty?

Septorhinoplasty is a dual-purpose surgical procedure that combines two operations into one:

Septoplasty: Corrects a deviated septum (the internal wall separating your nostrils) to improve airflow and breathing.
Rhinoplasty: Alters the external shape of the nose for cosmetic improvement or structural repair.

Many patients choose this combined approach to solve medical and aesthetic concerns simultaneously, requiring only one surgery and one recovery period.

The “Deviated Septum” Explained

The nasal septum is the wall of cartilage and bone that divides your nasal cavity. Ideally, it should be straight. However, due to genetics or injury, it can become crooked (deviated), blocking one side of the airway.

Symptoms of a deviated septum include:

Chronic nasal congestion (one or both sides).
Difficulty breathing through the nose, especially during sleep or exercise.
Frequent nosebleeds or sinus infections.
Snoring or sleep disruption.

The Procedure: How It Works

Dr Mohaghegh performs Septorhinoplasty under general anaesthesia to ensure patient comfort and safety.

Step 1: Functional Repair (The Foundation)

Dr Mohaghegh accesses the internal septum, straightening the deviated cartilage and bone to open the airways. Crucially, the excess cartilage removed during this step is often “recycled” and used as structural grafts to strengthen or reshape the cosmetic parts of the nose.

Step 2: Cosmetic Refinement (The Form)

Once the internal foundation is straight, Dr Mohaghegh addresses aesthetic concerns such as:

Removing a dorsal hump.
Straightening a crooked nose (often caused by the underlying septum).
Refining a bulbous or droopy tip (see Tip Plasty).
Narrowing the nasal bones.

Medicare & Private Health Insurance

Because Septorhinoplasty involves a medical component (correcting an airway obstruction), you may be eligible for a Medicare Rebate and partial coverage by Private Health Insurance.

Item Number 41671 (Septoplasty): Covers the airway repair.
Item Number 45641 (Rhinoplasty for Airway): May apply if external correction is required to support breathing.

Note: Cosmetic-only portions of the surgery are not covered. Dr Mohaghegh’s team will provide a detailed quote separating compliant medical costs from cosmetic costs.

Am I a Good Candidate for Septorhinoplasty?

Because Septorhinoplasty is a combined procedure, the ideal candidate usually presents with a “Two-Fold Problem”: they struggle with the function of their nose (breathing) and are unhappy with the form of their nose (appearance).

Dr Mohaghegh assesses candidates based on three strict categories: Anatomical, Medical, and Psychological suitability.

1. The “Airway” Checklist (Functional Symptoms)

You may require the Septoplasty component of the surgery if you experience chronic breathing issues caused by a structural blockage. Common indicators include:

Unilateral Blockage: One nostril always feels “tight” or blocked compared to the other.
Chronic Mouth Breathing: You wake up with a dry mouth or sore throat because you cannot breathe comfortably through your nose at night.
Sleep Disruption: You suffer from snoring or mild sleep apnea caused by restricted nasal airflow.
Recurrent Sinusitis: A crooked septum is preventing your sinuses from draining correctly, leading to frequent infections.
Nasal Cycle Awareness: You are painfully aware of the natural swelling cycle of your nasal lining.

2. The “Aesthetic” Checklist (Cosmetic Concerns)

You require the Rhinoplasty component if you wish to correct the external shape of the nose. Often, the external shape is actually caused by the internal deviation.

The “Twisted” Nose: Your nose looks crooked or C-shaped/S-shaped from the front. This is almost always caused by a deviated septum dragging the nose structure off-centre.
Asymmetric Nostrils: The bottom of your septum (caudal septum) is poking into one nostril, making them look uneven.
Previous Trauma: You have a history of sports injuries or a broken nose that altered both your breathing and your profile.
Dorsal Hump or Bulbous Tip: You simply want to refine these features while you are already under anaesthesia for the breathing repair.

3. General Health & Suitability

To ensure a safe surgery and optimal healing, candidates must meet these physical criteria:

Facial Growth Complete: The nose must be fully developed. This generally means candidates must be at least 16–17 years of age for females and 17–18 years of age for males.
Non-Smoker: Nicotine constricts blood vessels and kills skin tissue. You must be nicotine-free for at least 6 weeks before and after surgery to prevent major complications like skin necrosis.
Realistic Expectations: Patients must understand that while Dr Mohaghegh aims for a straighter nose and better breathing, “perfect” symmetry is impossible in any human face. The goal is improvement and balance, not perfection.
No Active Substance Abuse: Intranasal drug use damages the septal lining. Surgery cannot be performed if there is active inflammation or tissue damage from substance use.

Recovery Expectations

Internal Splints: Soft silicone splints may be placed inside the nose for 1 week to keep the septum straight during healing. This can cause a “blocked nose” sensation temporarily.
External Cast: A protective cast is worn on the bridge for 7 days.
Breathing: Improvements in breathing are often noticed immediately after splint removal, though full airflow optimization occurs as internal swelling resolves over 6-12 weeks.

Next Steps

If you are struggling with breathing issues or want to improve the shape of your nose, the next step is a comprehensive consultation to determine if a combined Septorhinoplasty is right for you.

During this consultation, Dr Mohaghegh will assess your airway function and discuss your aesthetic goals to create a tailored surgical plan.

To book your consultation with Dr Mohaghegh and his team, please contact us:

Book Consultation

Have a Question?

Interested in this procedure? Contact us today to find our more by speaking with our team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much are consultations?

For minor procedures, like moles, lesion & skin cancer removal, we can book you in for a 15 minute Short Consultation with Dr Mo. 

For all major surgical procedures, we recommend a 1 hour Long Consultation with Dr Mo to go through your surgical needs & review your health in detail.

 If you decide to proceed with surgery, you will need to attend a Pre-Op Consultation, which can be claimed back from Medicare

Pricing for consultations are: 

Long Consult (1 hr) –

$400 Follow-Up Consult (15 min) –

$130 Pre-Op Consult (15 min) –

Medicare Rebate Price ‍ A $100 deposit will need to be paid to confirm your booking. 

You may be eligible for a Medicare Rebate on your consultation fee with a referral letter from a GP. Pensioners may also be eligible for a reduced rate. Please bring your Pensioner card with you. ‍ 

Please ask our friendly team for more information when booking your consultation.

Do you offer virtual/remote consultations?

Yes, Dr Mohaghegh does provide virtual/remote consultations for patients who aren’t able to come into the clinic.

For patients who are able to visit the clinic, we highly recommend you to see Dr Mohaghegh in-person for the best possible assessment.

How do I book a consultation?

If you would like to book a consultation, please either:

• Complete the Booking Form on our website
• Send us an email to hello@drmohaghegh.com.au with your name & contact details for a call back
• Call our Double Bay Clinic on 1300 074 466 to speak to our friendly staff
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We look forward to meeting you & taking care of you throughout your journey with us.

How much does plastic surgery cost?

The costs of Plastic Surgery will vary from patient to patient, and based on the details of your surgical plan, which includes:
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• which procedures are to be performed
• the number of surgeries needed to complete the process, and
• the complexity of their needs.
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After your consultation with Dr Mo, we will provide you with a detailed surgical plan & quote of the surgeon’s fees, as well as estimated costs for hospital fees, anaesthetists fees, etc.

You may be eligible to claim a rebate from your Private Health Fund for hospital costs depending on your level of cover.
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You may be eligible for Medicare Rebates for some non-cosmetic procedures with an item number. Keep in mind, however, that Medicare only covers reconstructive surgeries that are deemed medically necessary. Procedures that are performed for solely cosmetic reasons are typically not covered by Medicare.

Please contact us if you require detailed information about pricing & your surgical needs.
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The cost of body contouring after major weight loss will vary for each patient depending on the reason for your body contouring, you may be eligible for Medicare coverage.

What is the after surgery care & recovery process like?

Once you have finished in theatre you will be looked after by a team of medical staff ensuring you are comfortable whilst you rest at the hospital.
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You will be fitted at the hospital with your surgical garment which you will wear during your recovery process.
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After undergoing your surgery you will have a post operative appointment the following day with Dr Mohaghegh either in clinic or at the hospital depending on the procedure performed.
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The post operative appointments are tailored to each patient’s needs and their Recovery Plan, however, Post-Op Follow Up checks are generally required at 1 week, 2 week, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months after the completion of your procedure. Post-Op Follow Up Checks are included as a part of our fees and no additional fees apply.
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At the Follow Up Checks, Dr Mo and his nurse will:
• Review your surgical site
• Review and change the dressing as needed
• Scar management

How much does it cost for skin lesion & skin cancer removal?

For minor surgeries, like skin lesions & skin cancer removal, we charge based on the time required to perform the procedure.

This fee also covers their follow up appointments for 6 weeks.
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Our out of pocket fees for minor procedures are:
‍Up to 15 min – $300
15-30 mins – $550
30-45 mins – $750
45-60 mins – $900

A Septoplasty is a purely functional surgery that straightens the internal wall (septum) to improve breathing; it does not change the external appearance of the nose. A Septorhinoplasty combines this functional repair with a cosmetic Rhinoplasty to change the external shape of the nose at the same time. If you want a straighter nose and better breathing, Septorhinoplasty is the correct procedure.

Because the septoplasty component is medically necessary to fix an airway obstruction, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate (Item Number 41671) and private health insurance coverage for hospital fees. If the external rhinoplasty is also required to support the airway (Item 45641), further rebates may apply. However, any purely cosmetic changes (like refining a tip) incur “out-of-pocket” costs that insurance does not cover.

Dr Mohaghegh generally avoids the old-fashioned method of “packing” the nose with long gauze strips, which can be painful to remove. Instead, he typically uses soft silicone internal splints. These hold the septum straight during the first week and are removed easily and comfortably in the clinic.

Most patients take 10 to 14 days off work. During the first week, you will have a cast on your nose and internal splints, which can make you sound congested. By day 10-14, the cast is removed, bruising has usually faded, and you are socially presentable.

A standard Septoplasty (internal only) will not change your nose’s shape. However, in Septorhinoplasty, the goal is often to straighten a nose that looks twisted from the outside. In this case, fixing the internal septum is actually the key to straightening the external profile.

Pain is usually mild to moderate and well-controlled with prescribed medication. Patients more commonly complain of discomfort from “congestion” or a “stuffy nose” sensation caused by the internal swelling and splints, rather than sharp pain.

Yes. If you suffer from chronic sinusitis or enlarged turbinates (the structures inside the nose that warm air), Dr Mohaghegh can perform a Turbinoplasty or sinus surgery in conjunction with your Septorhinoplasty to maximize your breathing improvement.

You may notice a brief improvement immediately after the internal splints are removed (Day 7). However, the internal lining of the nose will remain swollen for several weeks. True, unobstructed breathing typically stabilizes 6–12 weeks after surgery as the internal swelling fully resolves.

Septorhinoplasty should not be performed until the face has finished growing to avoid disrupting development. This is typically age 16–17 for girls and 17–18 for boys. There is no upper age limit, provided you are in good general health.

Dr Mohaghegh practices “preservation rhinoplasty.” Any crooked cartilage removed from your septum is rarely thrown away. Instead, it is straightened and used as structural grafts to strengthen weak areas of your nose, support the tip, or prevent valve collapse.

Cartilage has “memory,” meaning it sometimes has a tendency to warp back to its original shape. While Dr Mohaghegh uses advanced scoring and splinting techniques to prevent this, there is a small risk that the deviation can recur over time or due to injury.

You cannot rest glasses on the bridge of your nose for 6 weeks after Septorhinoplasty, as the weight can indent the healing nasal bones. You will need to tape your glasses to your forehead or wear contact lenses during this period.

Yes. To claim any Medicare rebates or private health insurance benefits for the functional part of your surgery, you must have a valid referral from your General Practitioner (valid for 12 months) or a Specialist (valid for 3 months) addressed to Dr Mohaghegh.

Both surgeons operate on the nose, but their focus differs. An ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) surgeon primarily focuses on function/disease. A Specialist Plastic Surgeon like Dr Mohaghegh is trained in both functional reconstruction AND aesthetic harmony. For Septorhinoplasty, where the external look is just as important as the internal breathing, a Plastic Surgeon offers a holistic approach to form and function.

You must avoid all strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and cardio that raises your blood pressure for 3 to 4 weeks. High blood pressure can cause bleeding from the healing septum (nosebleed). Contact sports (rugby, boxing, basketball) must be avoided for 8–12 weeks to protect the nasal bones.

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