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After Rhinoplasty is It Common to Have Breathing Problems?

I am considering Rhinoplasty, but I've heard that it often causes trouble breathing afterwards. Is this true?

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breathing complication recovery

Rhinoplasty Should Produce A Nose That Looks Good & Functions Well

With the advances in rhinoplasty techniques over the past several decades, the goal of any rhinoplasty should be to produce a nose that looks good and functions well. When performed correctly, one should not have to be sacrificed for the sake of the other. The key is to find an experience rhinoplasty specialist -- a surgeon who devotes a significant percentage of his or her practice to rhinoplasty. There are a handful of surgeons in the US who perform rhinoplasty exclusively.... more

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C. Spencer Cochran, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

Breathing problem after rhinoplasty is a complication.

Hi. The results of rhinoplasty vary a lot, depending on the surgeon. In New York City, we consider breathing problems after a nose job to be a rare and usually avoidable complication. In good hands, you should not have breathing problems.

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Nasal Congestion & Breathing After Rhinoplasty Facial Surgery

Nasal congestion may either be immediate or chronic with rhinoplasty / nose job surgery. Most nasal congestion after rhinoplasty surgery is due to normal postoperative swelling. A majority of this internal, as well as external, swelling resolves within a couple weeks. However, it may take a couple months for the final swelling to resolve. Normal crusting inside the nose also keep the breathing down after surgery. It's important to follow the postoperative care instructions of your surgeon... more

Houtan Chaboki, MD

Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

The goal of rhinoplasty surgery should be first to...

The goal of rhinoplasty surgery should be first to maintain function and second to achieve improved aesthetics. While there are complications of surgery which can produce difficulty breathing, such as a perforated septum or nasal collapse, in general, a well trained and experienced rhinoplasty surgeon should be able to achieve a good cosmetic result in a functioning nose. The presurgical assessment is important to determine if you have any breathing difficulties which may be worsened after... more

D.J. Verret, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

The goal of rhinoplasty is to improve the aesthetic...

The goal of rhinoplasty is to improve the aesthetic appearance but also to maintain function. However, sometimes during the early post-operative period some patients complain of difficulty with breathing. This is usually due to swelling which improves in the first few weeks after surgery.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Breathing problems after rhinoplasty

Due to the considerable amount of swelling after rhinoplasty, patients experience restriction of airflow through the nose in varying degrees. The restriction on airflow from a rhinoplasty subsides within the first couple of weeks after the surgery. Complete obstruction out of the nose is common if a septoplasty is performed or any turbinate surgery is performed at the same time as a rhinoplasty. Once the swelling from a rhinoplasty and/or a septoplasty has resolved there should be no... more

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William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Although always a concern , this does not seem to be a...

Although always a concern , this does not seem to be a common problem. I performed hundreds of rhinoplasties, and most of them are designed to reduce size of the nose. Patients are usually not bothered by the change of the nasal airway. However, if one has breathing problems before nasal surgery, the nasal airway has to be evaluated and septoplasty/turbinate surgery maybe indicated. This is usually combined with cosmetic surgery of the nose. This portion (functional) of this procedure may... more

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Rhinoplasty should not cause breathing problems

The short answer is no. The typical rhinoplasty done in the 1980’s or even 1990’s relied heavily on reduction of prominent cartilage and bone to achieve a more refined look. Knowledge of the long-term effects of such techniques was spotty and, so, many unfortunate patients were left with the trademark ‘operated’ appearance of a pinched, droopy, or distorted tip, and scooped-out nasal bridge. These occurred because the newly-weakened structural elements of the nose... more

Peyman Solieman, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Can Rhinoplasty surgery cause trouble breathing afterwards?

Rhinoplasty surgery typically does not cause trouble breathing afterwards if performed correctly. There can be temporary breathing difficulty following rhinoplasty surgery due to post-operative swelling but this should resolve with time.

Robert Heck, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Providing a good airway after surgery on the nose is essential.

Maintaining good breathing after rhinoplasty is a concern. Surgeons skilled in rhinoplasty will take special caution in how they approach each procedure to make sure they maintain a good airway and, thus, good breathing. Most times during rhinoplasty breathing problems if anything can be improved. As a matter of fact, septoplasty which straightens the internal wall of the nose provides better breathing and can be done at the same time as rhinoplasty. In addition, insurance will often cover a... more

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Mark Hamilton, MD

Indianapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty and breathing

Rhinoplasty is commonly performed for both cosmetic and functional (breathing) purposes. When being performed for cosmetic purposes only, a surgeon must maintain or improve the nasal airway and prevent collapse or worsened breathing. A beautiful nose is not very helpful if it does not function effectively. see video

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Etai Funk, MD

Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon

Breathing Problems After Rhinoplasty

It is not uncommon after both functional and/or cosmetic rhinoplasty to have temporary breathing problems. That is primarily due to internal swelling after a cosmetic rhinoplasty only and will usually subside in 1-2 weeks. If it has been from a functional rhinoplasty where the septum was straightened, it may take 4-6 weeks for the airway breathing to improve. The important thing to maintain your nasal airway is to use nasal saline irrigations to help clear your airway during the time when it... more

Rod J. Rohrich, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Rhinoplasty and Breathing

You should NOT have breathing problems as a results of rhinoplasty surgery. If anything rhinoplasty surgery should actually improve your breathing. Older rhinoplasty techniques resulted in some breathing problems, but modern, advanced techniques should not alter and even improve your ability to breath through your nose. It is important to see a highly skilled rhinoplasty surgeon who examines your nose inside and outside thoroughly prior to surgery. This assures the best... more

Jacob D. Steiger, MD

Boca Raton Facial Plastic Surgeon

Difficulty Breathing After Rhinoplasty Chicago

It is not uncommon to have some difficulty breathing through your nose right after surgery. The areas are traumatized and swollen, and because of this, it can take a few weeks for patients to feel like they are breathing normally again. However, there are some patients who are at risk for having long term airway obstructions after rhinoplasty. If you narrow the nose too much without placing certain grafts, or alter the natural cartilage framework too much, then there is an increased... more

Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD

Barrington Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Rhinoplasty should improve nasal breathing

It is unusual to have breathing problems following rhinoplasty when the more sophisticated and advanced techniques are used. We saw a lot of breathing problems following the old style of rhinoplasty but in 2010 our techniques are designed to improve the breathing at the same time as improving the cosmetic appearance of your nose.

Jason B. Diamond, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty and breathing

Breathing problems after a cosmetic rhinoplasty should not typically occur. In the immediate recovery period there may be packing in the nose, blood or mucous buildup, and swelling which will definitely impact breathing. However, as the nose heals and swelling improves, breathing should return to preoperative levels. Prior to undergoing any nose surgery, a careful examination of the function of the nose is imperative. You surgeon should check for evidence of breathing obstruction or... more

David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty should not cause breathing problems

It is important to evaluate the nasal function in addition to the appearance. A successful rhinoplasty should correct the deformity in question as well as maintain the preoperative breathing. If nasal obstruction is present preoperatively, this should also be corrected at the time of surgery. A good rhinoplasty surgeon will understand the structure and physiology of the nose and be able to tailor each surgery to achieve the best cosmetic AND functional results. It is not unusual to have... more

Corey S. Maas, MD

San Francisco Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty swelling may make breathing difficult

Breathing problems should be one of the main parts of a preoperative exam prior to rhinoplasty. If indicated, the breathing obstruction should be treated during the surgery. In the immediate postoperative period with rhinoplasty, there will be some swelling that may make breathing difficult with the dressings. Patients are often advised to breathe through their mouths for the first few days.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Breathing after Rhinoplasty

After rhinoplasty, changes in the dynamics of air flow through the nose are very common. A successful rhinoplasty should leave the nose looking balanced, and breathing better. Complications responsible for breathing problems after rhinoplasty are as follows: Nasal valve collapse - a narrowing of the cartilage-containing portion of the bridge. This complication can have both functional and cosmetic consequences. The area where the side cartilages (upper lateral) meet with the septum along... more

Behrooz Torkian, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty: how to avoid post-op breathing problems

A well-trained rhinoplasty surgeon should always examine the nose functionally to make sure that any cosmetic adjustments do not interfere with breathing. When I evaluate a patient's nose, I look at the septum and turbinates internally. I check to see how long the nasal bones are. I evaluate the openings to the nose to see that they are well-supported on inspiration. Any areas of collapse are noted and corrections made during surgery. I always try to leave the nose better that I found it.... more

Manish H. Shah, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Yes and No - you may have breathing problems

Immediately after rhinoplasty, packing (in some cases), swelling, and mucous/bloody fluid will definitely make you feel like there is a clothespin on your nose. After a week or two, as the swelling resolves, the great majority of patients can breathe as well or even better than they did before the surgery. Many surgeons ignore the nasal septum when performing cosmetic rhinoplasty. When the nose is reduced, it is essential that the septum is also reduced. If not, a previously straight and... more