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Washington, D.C. Plastic Surgeon

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Christopher Chang MD

A displacement or deformation of bone or cartilage in the nose structure can result in a deviated septum. The resulting blockage leads to difficulty with breathing, exercise, and sleep. Septoplasty is a surgical procedure to improve airflow in your nose by correcting the deviated septum.


What is a Septoplasty?

The septum is the wall of bone and cartilage that separates the nostrils. When that wall is misshapen from trauma or a malformation, the structure will make it more difficult to breathe through one or both nostrils.

Septoplasty performed by Dr. Chang is a surgical procedure used to reposition or remove the obstructing tissue and bone in the septum. Modifying the structure of you’re the nose will open your airways, restore free breathing, and improve your quality of life.

Septoplasty may be performed as a single procedure when the nose structure has only internal imperfections. However, those with cosmetic concerns can have an additional surgical procedure to correct a variety of external imperfections, and create a more attractive nose shape, size, and projection.

Best Candidates for Septoplasty

Adult men or women who have a deviated septum should undergo septoplasty. A deviated septum can be caused by a blockage that develops naturally and may be present from birth. For some patients, a deviated septum can be caused by improper healing after an impact to the nose structure.

Those with a deviated septum may experience:

  • Difficulty breathing out of one or both nostrils
  • Dryness in the nose
  • Frequent nosebleeds
  • Discomfort when performing physical activities or exercise
  • Chronic snoring
  • Sleep apnea
  • Constant fatigue

Some of the symptoms are easy to ignore or attribute to other life issues, but any of the above symptoms may indicate a blockage in your airways.

About the Procedure

Septoplasty DC

When septoplasty is performed as a single procedure, the surgical incisions will be concealed within your nose, with no visible scarring. Once the incisions are made, the membrane covering the septum is lifted away. Bone and cartilage are manipulated or removed to reduce blockage. The incisions are closed and the nose will be stabilized.

When combined with rhinoplasty, a small incision in between your nostrils may be necessary, depending upon the extent of the cosmetic corrections needed. The incision is small and once healed, is hidden beneath the nose and typically almost impossible to see. Many nose reshaping surgeries are performed within the nose structure with no visible scars.

What is recovery
like after
septoplasty?

Septoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure, but you will need assistance from a trusted adult for the first 24 hours. You will have a prescription for pain medication to keep you comfortable. It is normal to experience some slight bruising or swelling. You will be able to resume most of your usual activities after about two weeks. The swelling will have significantly diminished.

Septoplasty Washington DC

Expected Results


Your quality of life will continue to improve over the next few months as the corrected septum settles into place. Once the swelling subsides you will begin to experience increased airflow. Breathing will be easier, and you will have clear airways, and an improved quality of sleep.

You will feel a sense of freedom once your breathing improves. You may not even realize how much your deviated septum was impacting your daily life. Our patients report they feel more awake, alert, and energetic after undergoing a septoplasty with Dr. Chang, who is one of the leaders with rhinoplasty in Washington D.C..

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Dr. Christopher Chang Congressional Plastic Surgery - Dr. Christopher Chang Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Washington DC

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