NHS rhinoplasty

[Crystal746599]

I’ve been having issues with my breathing for as long as I can remember. I first went to the Drs around 8 years ago expressing issues with my breathing and they gave me spray to try. I tried this, no improvement and left it for a few years. I then noticed about 2 years ago when I breathe in my right nostril totally collapses inwards so no air can go through. I then went back to my DR and was referred to ENT where I had an appointment and they examined my nose. They said an ENT Surgeon could only offer a septoplasty and turbinoplasty to try and improve my breathing however this was work that would be carried out inside the nose and the primary issue effecting my breathing is the external skin and walls of my nose, so these surgeries aren’t guaranteed to work. He said the only way to get guaranteed results would be plastic surgery to widen and strengthen the nostril which collapses.

I went back to my GP and he said he would do a referral to the plastics department at the hospital.

My question is has anyone else experienced NHS funded rhinoplasty/ septoplasty and what to expect? Wait times etc?

I know of course the primary purpose of the survey is to improve my breathing however as the nose is such an important part of the face I would like some kind of say as to how it will look. Will they take this into account?

No direct experience of this but my friend had a boob job on the NHS as they were drastically different sizes. Took her years to get it and caused her a lot of emotional pain.
I think in the end they asked her if she would prefer to be size 1 or 2 or one breast implant or one reduction. They did take a lot of care to make sure the breast matched the other even with surgery and obviously consulted her on some preferences.
They won't cock up your nose. I'm sure they will have a consultation period with you in advance. You probably won't be able to show a pic of a celeb and say "I'll have that one please" but identify what you like about your current nose so they have an idea.

Funding criteria and waiting lists vary very substantially by region.

I had an NHS Rhinoplasty, although it was over 30 years ago, so not necessarily relevant. No idea how I swung it, because there was nothing wrong with my breathing. My nose was quite large, and I was really self-conscious about it, so my GP happily referred me, while I was at university.

I did have to wait 2.5 years, but I clearly wasn't a medical need, so I was fine with that.

Ironically, in order to clear the waiting list I was sent to a private hospital for the op. Nice facilities, private room, and the only thing I paid for was the newspaper I had in the morning. I could never have afforded to go private.

In terms of the "quality" of care, an NHS op would be no different from going private. Of course they would carefully consider the aesthetics of the finished nose. It's wizardry what they do - changing the whole shape/size of the nose from inside, wihout leaving a scar.

They might fix the deviated septum but not necessarily do “plastic surgery” even if plastic surgeon involved. Functional vs cosmetic.

If they do a full rhinoplasty don't worry that the standard will be less than that if you went private (if this is what you mean)

The quality of NHS plastic surgeons is far better than those in conveyor belt, basic cosmetic surgery hospitals, and they often do private cases on the side in some of the better places (BMI, Ramsey etc)

Plastic surgeons are perfectionists, I know because I've spent so long stood there in theatre waiting for them to decide if they're happy.

Waiting time however could be long on the NHS, so if this is an issue maybe look at private if you can afford.

If I’m being honest, my nose is rather large and crooked anyway so there wouldn’t be loads they could do to cock it up more than it is

Sounds like you got lucky, what a great experience. I often think sometimes it’s lucky dip on treatment depending on what doctor you speak to that day. Some have worked wonders for me, some couldn’t care less

Thank you that has definitely given me some confidence. I already anticipate long wait times and figure if I’ve lived with the breathing issues this long I can wait another year or two. Unfortunately don’t have the funds to go private

The surgeon who does your Rhinoplasty on the NHS is more than likely also doing them privately. Either way it'll be done properly