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?

Sort: Date | Helpful

9 answers to “After rhinoplasty is it common to...”

A: Rhinoplasty swelling may make breathing difficult

By Raffy Karamanoukian, MD - Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

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.... more

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

By D.J. Verret, MD - Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

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

By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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.

A: Breathing problems after rhinoplasty

By William Portuese, MD - Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

A: Breathing after Rhinoplasty

By Behrooz Torkian, MD - Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

A: Rhinoplasty: how to avoid post-op breathing problems

By Manish H. Shah, MD - Denver Plastic Surgeon

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... more

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

By Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD - Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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... more

A: Yes and No - you may have breathing problems

By Michael A. Persky, MD - Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

A: Rhinoplasty should not cause breathing problems

By Peyman Solieman, MD - Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

Comments

drpancholi
14 posts
20 May 2008

Hopefully, if you have problems breathing through your nose before rhinoplasty, the problem will be fixed after surgery. Problems with breathing through your nose can be from the inside anatomy being less than ideal. This can happen if you've had trauma to your nose in the past , from nasal medications, allergies, sinus problems, or just developmentally. When evaluated before surgery, these problems can many times be corrected during the rhinoplasty surgery. Often we may need to straighten the septum that leans too much to one side or reduce turbinates which take up too much space. If you don't have problems with breathing before surgery, sometimes problems can occur if your nose isn't supported correctly after the reshaping has been completed. Improper support is the most common cause and can result in your nose collapsing when you breathe in. This can certainly be a nuisance afterwards if it isn't recognized and corrected during the procedure. Most experienced rhinoplasty surgeons are aware of this and take the proper steps to prevent it. Otherwise, realize the swelling on the inside of your nose after surgery will limit airflow and create stuffiness for 2-3 weeks until it normalizes.

Email to friend