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AIBU?

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Original poster

To get my nose fixed in my fifties

36 replies

Ncfornosejob · 25/02/2026 21:44

My nose is really bent after breaking it as a child and then having it “fixed” before I had finished growing,
As well as looking horrendous, it is very uncomfortable as it feels like it is under pressure as the septum is deviated.
Would it be ridiculous to look to get it fixed at my age (mid fifties) and, if not, then how to I find a reputable plastic surgeon? When it was done originally my parents got a recommendation from our GP but I’m sure that GPs wouldn’t do that these days.
Please be kind, I look like a circus freak

OP posts:
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TON618 · 01/03/2026 19:35

Ezzee · 28/02/2026 21:42

Don't count on it sadly.
I had a NHS appointment for my deviated septum late last year ( went through a windscreen aged 7 and it was never fixed late 50's now) the first thing the surgeon said before I'd even sat down was 'its not a cosmetic procedure if you want that then you can pay privately' I hadn't even had time to say hello!
He was so awful that I am now looking to go private and may as well go whole hog and have it made pretty, but I'd only gone as I can't breathe at all out of one side.

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That was awful! Sorry that happened to you.

BillieWiper · 28/02/2026 22:08

Ncfornosejob · 28/02/2026 21:31

Thanks. The NHS might be able to do your cosmetic changes at the same time as the septoplasty as they did for @TON618. Fingers crossed for you.

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That would be amazing if they did! ❤️

It feels like over the years the tip has moved down and there is loose flesh where the septum can't support it properly? So yeah looks hideous. And seems to be getting worse 😕

Thank you so much and hope you get what you want/need as well x

Talkinpeace · 28/02/2026 22:03

Breathing is much better than it was.
My op was > 20 years ago.
I am waiting till they perfect synthetic septums (about another 5 years)
and will then ask to have a full replacement - on the NHS

Outside of my nose - they sort of broke it back straight to give themselves space to work on the septum so most people never realise how badly it was broken.
My nostrils are a bit wonky but hey ho.

Original poster
Ncfornosejob · 28/02/2026 21:59

Talkinpeace · 28/02/2026 21:56

Start at the GP
Broken nose damaging your sleep as you hit menopause
ask for sleep assessment
its an overnight wear a cpap machine at home
ask for an ENT assessment
mine looked up my nose and "that is a mess we can sort"
and a few months later I had surgery

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Thank you so much. Are you pleased with your breathing and the look of your nose now?

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Talkinpeace · 28/02/2026 21:56

Ncfornosejob · 28/02/2026 21:52

What does an apnea assessment involve? Is that how they determine if it can be done under the NHS?

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Start at the GP
Broken nose damaging your sleep as you hit menopause
ask for sleep assessment
its an overnight wear a cpap machine at home
ask for an ENT assessment
mine looked up my nose and "that is a mess we can sort"
and a few months later I had surgery

BingoJingo · 28/02/2026 21:56

William Townley is the best surgeon I have seen for noses. Follow him on Instagram: he is amazing.

Original poster
Ncfornosejob · 28/02/2026 21:52

Talkinpeace · 28/02/2026 21:46

I had my septum dealt with.
To make that fit they straitened my whole nose
but the external was incidental to the internal

get an apnea assessment

What does an apnea assessment involve? Is that how they determine if it can be done under the NHS?

OP posts:
Original poster
Ncfornosejob · 28/02/2026 21:50

Ezzee · 28/02/2026 21:42

Don't count on it sadly.
I had a NHS appointment for my deviated septum late last year ( went through a windscreen aged 7 and it was never fixed late 50's now) the first thing the surgeon said before I'd even sat down was 'its not a cosmetic procedure if you want that then you can pay privately' I hadn't even had time to say hello!
He was so awful that I am now looking to go private and may as well go whole hog and have it made pretty, but I'd only gone as I can't breathe at all out of one side.

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Bloody hell, why do some NHS staff think they can treat patients like shit?

OP posts:
7238SM · 28/02/2026 21:49

Would it be ridiculous to look to get it fixed at my age NO!

You could live for another 50yrs- why on earth not get it corrected??? 🤷‍♀️

Talkinpeace · 28/02/2026 21:46

I had my septum dealt with.
To make that fit they straitened my whole nose
but the external was incidental to the internal

get an apnea assessment

Ezzee · 28/02/2026 21:42

TON618 · 28/02/2026 20:32

It was an NHS surgeon in the north west. I wasn't overly disappointed to be honest, although it was a good result at the time. The main deal was fixing my breathing so I was chuffed about that. He just offered a bit of cosmetic work that would 'only take two minutes.' So I said, yeah.
It was primarily a deviated septum like yourself. Hopefully you can get the same in the NHS

Show quote history

Don't count on it sadly.
I had a NHS appointment for my deviated septum late last year ( went through a windscreen aged 7 and it was never fixed late 50's now) the first thing the surgeon said before I'd even sat down was 'its not a cosmetic procedure if you want that then you can pay privately' I hadn't even had time to say hello!
He was so awful that I am now looking to go private and may as well go whole hog and have it made pretty, but I'd only gone as I can't breathe at all out of one side.

Original poster
Ncfornosejob · 28/02/2026 21:31

BillieWiper · 28/02/2026 21:15

No of course not. I finally decided to try and get my septoplasty. It was broken a few times over 20 years ago during DV. I just put up with the breathing issues and ugliness and finally had enough.

I'm now on waiting list for my first consultation. It might take 9 months and even then it's not certain they'll give me it. But ENT doctor (not surgeon) did say I needed it. So fingers crossed!

If you can afford to go private definitely do so. I think I need rhinoplasty as well but that may well not be accepted by NHS as it's more cosmetic.

Thanks. The NHS might be able to do your cosmetic changes at the same time as the septoplasty as they did for @TON618. Fingers crossed for you.

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BillieWiper · 28/02/2026 21:15

No of course not. I finally decided to try and get my septoplasty. It was broken a few times over 20 years ago during DV. I just put up with the breathing issues and ugliness and finally had enough.

I'm now on waiting list for my first consultation. It might take 9 months and even then it's not certain they'll give me it. But ENT doctor (not surgeon) did say I needed it. So fingers crossed!

If you can afford to go private definitely do so. I think I need rhinoplasty as well but that may well not be accepted by NHS as it's more cosmetic.

Pleatherandlace · 28/02/2026 21:13

I have a deviated septum, am on the nhs waiting list to have it fixed. Ask your GP to refer you to your local ENT department. Good luck!

janietreemore · 28/02/2026 21:11

My 50 plus friend just had a nose job for purely cosmetic reasons. She is a nee woman.

Talkinpeace · 28/02/2026 21:09

PS, my septum was in many many pieces and the NHS surgeon was brilliant

Talkinpeace · 28/02/2026 21:08

Talk to your GP.
If you have a badly deviated septum you are at apnoea risk so it may be done for free

the NHS surgeons are the same as the private surgeons

Just do it
you will never regret beaing able to breathe easier

Original poster
Ncfornosejob · 28/02/2026 21:05

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 28/02/2026 20:56

I would consult with an aesthetician first to see what they do with a non surgical rhinoplasty - eg look up the consultant clinic on insta for examples- depending how bad your nose is that might be enough to rebalance the symmetry. I was so happy with mine

Yes, that’s sensible although it is visibly deviated and my breathing is affected so I think I will need a septoplasty. One the plus side that may be covered by my private medical insurance whereas a cosmetic procedure wouldn’t be.
Thanks for sharing your positive experience as it is scary that it could go wrong and end up even worse.

OP posts:
Unexpectedlysinglemum · 28/02/2026 20:56

I would consult with an aesthetician first to see what they do with a non surgical rhinoplasty - eg look up the consultant clinic on insta for examples- depending how bad your nose is that might be enough to rebalance the symmetry. I was so happy with mine

Original poster
Ncfornosejob · 28/02/2026 20:52

TON618 · 28/02/2026 20:41

Definitely a job for NHS. I'm the same age as you and first broke it age 13, waited till I was 33 to get it looked at. I broke it AGAIN and had a second op aged 41. No regrets.

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I think I broke mine again last week as I was kicked in the nose by one of my goats!

OP posts:
TON618 · 28/02/2026 20:41

Ncfornosejob · 28/02/2026 20:39

Thanks, I’ve put up with it for 40 years but it is so uncomfortable and painful at times.

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Definitely a job for NHS. I'm the same age as you and first broke it age 13, waited till I was 33 to get it looked at. I broke it AGAIN and had a second op aged 41. No regrets.

Original poster
Ncfornosejob · 28/02/2026 20:39

TON618 · 28/02/2026 20:32

It was an NHS surgeon in the north west. I wasn't overly disappointed to be honest, although it was a good result at the time. The main deal was fixing my breathing so I was chuffed about that. He just offered a bit of cosmetic work that would 'only take two minutes.' So I said, yeah.
It was primarily a deviated septum like yourself. Hopefully you can get the same in the NHS

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Thanks, I’ve put up with it for 40 years but it is so uncomfortable and painful at times.

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TON618 · 28/02/2026 20:32

Ncfornosejob · 28/02/2026 20:19

Oh no, how disappointing for you! Do you mind me asking who your surgeon was?

Show quote history

It was an NHS surgeon in the north west. I wasn't overly disappointed to be honest, although it was a good result at the time. The main deal was fixing my breathing so I was chuffed about that. He just offered a bit of cosmetic work that would 'only take two minutes.' So I said, yeah.
It was primarily a deviated septum like yourself. Hopefully you can get the same in the NHS

Ineedanewsofa · 28/02/2026 20:24

Do it if you want to but do expect people to comment if it’s a dramatic change - not saying they should but they will.
A close relative cut off many friends and family members for asking about their change in appearance - they had obviously had a significant reduction and reshaping of their nose but was mortally offended by any suggestion they may have had surgery!

Original poster
Ncfornosejob · 28/02/2026 20:19

TON618 · 28/02/2026 20:15

YANBU. It's your nose and if changing it is what you want, you do you. Age doesn't matter. Just one small caveat, I had a septoplasty and the surgeon did a bit of a cosmetic job at the same time, shaving off a bony lump. I had a nice straight bridge after that. We had both assumed it was a result of the break in the first place as a teen. The bloody bump grew back a year later. Turns out it's meant to be there.

Oh no, how disappointing for you! Do you mind me asking who your surgeon was?

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