Stoker Plastic Surgery: David Stoker, MD
4640 Admiralty Way #1000
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Phone: (310) 300-1779
Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
In Los Angeles, a deviated septum is one of the most common reasons for patients to have problems breathing through their nose. A deviated septum may cause difficulty sleeping, dry mouth or a chronically stuffy nose. In some cases, it may be obvious as a crooked nose. In most cases, however, it’s only visible on the inside of the nose. Fortunately, I offer a specialized nose surgery in Los Angeles called septoplasty, which can effectively improve both the appearance and the function of the nose.
I’d be happy to meet with you in Los Angeles to discuss how septoplasty can improve your appearance and your breathing. Simply request a consultation online or call us at (310) 300-1779.
| For Your Septoplasty: |
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| He is a member of The Rhinoplasty Society, an elite group of international rhinoplasty and septoplasty experts. |
| He has been featured as the rhinoplasty and septoplasty expert for the Dr. Phil show, The Learning Channel, and Modern Beauty. |
| He is a rhinoplasty and septoplasty specialist who performs hundreds of the operations. |
Septoplasty corrects a deviated nasal septum, the internal cartilage that separates the two nasal airways. Ideally, the septum should run down the center of the nose with a relatively straight path that allows air to flow equally on either side. When the septum is deviated, however, it restricts airflow through one or both nostrils.
The goal of septoplasty is to straighten the septum, open the nasal airways and repair the deviation. My patients often have functional and cosmetic goals for surgery. They want to breathe easier, but they want to straighten the external appearance of their nose, too. It’s common to combine septoplasty and rhinoplasty in Los Angeles, and many of my patients prefer to treat both problems at once.
Educated at some of the most elite institutions in the country, Dr. David Stoker uses his highly advanced knowledge to ensure that each patient achieves beautiful, harmonious results — whether it's through a simple non-surgical procedure or a more advanced surgical transformation. Learn more about his unique credentials and his approach to plastic surgery.
Why Choose Dr. StokerSeptoplasty is usually performed under general anesthesia. During the procedure, I work through the nostrils to place a small incision in the septum to reach the cartilage. Then, I remove and realign enough of the bone and cartilage to straighten the septum while maintaining structural support.
I can combine septoplasty with other airway procedures, including:
Imagine putting a clothespin on the soft portion of your nose and trying to breathe. That is what it’s like for patients with obstructed nasal airways due to narrow internal valves. To remedy this I recommend spreader grafts. Spreader grafts are internal cartilage grafts used to widen the nasal airways and improve breathing function. The grafts are not visible externally unless desired, and are usually created with cartilage from the septum or ears.
Each person has finger-like structures on the inside of the nose, called the turbinates, that clean and moisten inhaled air before it reaches the lungs. In some cases, the turbinates become enlarged, making it difficult to breathe. Turbinate outfracture or reduction improves nasal airflow by reducing this obstruction. This technique is performed entirely through the nostrils, ensuring that incisions are not visible from the outside.
Patients whose breathing impairment is severe enough to cause a medical problem are usually covered by insurance. It’s important to note, though, that insurance companies and doctors like patients to try conservative medical treatments such as nasal steroid sprays and antihistamines before choosing surgery. If these are not effective, surgery can offer much-needed relief. Patients who choose to add a cosmetic repair to a medically necessary procedure must pay separately for that portion of the operation.
In my experience, patients recover quickly from septoplasty. Splints are removed 4 to 6 days following surgery, at which point many patients return to work. Although patients look good even at this early stage, the results continue to improve over the course of a year.
The risks from septoplasty include bleeding, infection, internal scarring or recurrence. Complications, in my experience, have been very uncommon.
Take the first step toward breathing easier. Request a consultation online, or call our office at (310) 300-1779.
Our expertise extends beyond plastic surgery. We offer an extensive range of non-surgical treatments administered by our talented, experienced team of aesthetic providers under the guidance of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Stoker.
If you have a treatment in mind, review our complete offering of non-surgical services. If you need a little help deciding, narrow down your options with our interactive treatment planner.
