Rhinoplasty: Q&A
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Can Rhinoplasty Surgery Make my Breathing Worse?
I am want a cosmetic rhinoplasty to make my nose smaller. Is there any chance my breathing could get worse because of the rhinoplasty surgery?
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40 Doctor Answers |
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anon
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Breathing can become worse if conditions such as...
Breathing can become worse if conditions such as turbinate hypertrophy, a deviated septum or allergies are not recognized and addressed prior to or during rhinoplasty. If surgery is performed to reduce the size of a nose, consequently the noses’ internal volume will be reduced. This new volume must still permit good airflow dynamic. A facial plastic surgeon with an original background in ear, nose, and throat surgery can address these type issues prior to any rhinoplasty surgery.
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Rhinoplasty shouldn't make you choose between beauty and breathing
We see many patients who had wanted a more refined nose and ended up with a pinched tip, nasal collapse, and breathing problems. We often enter into a lengthy discussion regarding what would need to be done during a revision surgery to correct both their breathing concerns and improve any aesthetic issues.
Often, these two overwhelming concerns are aligned. That is, whatever must be done to improve your breathing (usually involving grafts) would also tend to make your nose look better. On...
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Impact of rhinoplasty on breathing
When it comes to rhinoplasty, form and function go hand in hand. A nose which is straight, well balanced and well-constructed should also function well in terms of breathing. After rhinoplasty, there may be a period of a few weeks or months during which the nose is more congested than baseline but this should be a transient phenomenon. In the long run, rhinoplasty which is performed by an expert surgeon should improve your ability to breathe (if you have any difficulty) or maintain...
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Cosmetic Rhinoplasty Must be Functional
Form and function must be treated equally.
A cosmetic Rhinoplasty should support or improve breathing.
Complications or poorly performed Rhinoplasty can result in airway problems.
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Rhinoplasty causing nasal obstruction
Yes-one of the well-known risks of rhinoplasty is nasal obstruction. As rhinoplasty has evolved over the years, we have come to appreciate the importance of maintenance of nasal structural integrity during rhinoplasty. This has reduced the incidence of nasal obstruction after rhinoplasty. Seek the opinion of someone with an understanding of both nasal function and aesthetics. A good intranasal and external exam, including exam of your septum, turbinates, and nasal valves, will help in...
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Rhinoplasty and breathing
Proper technique with the rhinoplasty surgery will ensure both form and function. However, nasal obstruction is a risk associated with the surgery. That is why selection of the surgeon is key to maximize the result.
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Rhinoplasty and breathing
In the past, the aesthetic improvment sometimes took precedent over functionality. I think in the present day, the majority of surgeons I think are keenly aware of maintaining function while improving the aesthetics. However, that being said, some patients breathing may be altered.
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Modern Rhinoplasty
It is very true that older techniques in rhinoplasty could make patients have breathing problems. Modern structural rhinoplasty is very different. Using surgery methods that are non-destructive we can deliver very good cosmetic changes without sacrificing function. In my practice we often combine functional and cosmetic surgery where we are making patients breath better while improving the appearance of their nose. It is essential that you talk to your surgeon about these concerns and...
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Breathing and rhinoplasty (nose job)
There is always a risk of compromising breathing when performing rhinoplasty. Although preservation of critical aspects of the anatomy are respected during the rhinoplasty procedure, this is not always possible. From a strictly physical perspective it is harder to breathe through a smaller structure and in most instances, the aesthetic goal is to achieve a smaller nose.
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Rhinoplasty Effects on Breathing
The great majority of air on breathing in flows through the bottom portion of the nose, therefore efforts to narrow the bridge and usually the middle third of the nose have little impact on the breathing. However, overzealous resection of cartilage of that mid-third, and/or narrowing of the nostrils can in fact reduce air movement. This is something you need to discuss with your surgeon, who if he is also an otolaryngologist/ENT, can for sure properly advise you about.
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Rhinoplasty and Breathing
A properly performed rhinoplasty procedure should not adversely affect breathing. It should improve it if breathing was an issue pre-operatively. Form and function should go hand in hand -- in the right hands. However, when narrowing the nose by performing osteotomies (cutting the nasal bones) the angle between the septum and lateral cartilages can be reduced and have a negative outcome on breathing. Other maneuvers can certainly affect breathing as well. Any surgeon...
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There is always a chance rhinoplasty surgery can make your breathing worse
It has been proven that a properly preformed rhinoplasty actually improves breathing. However, whenever you have surgery on the nose, there is a chance that breathing may worsen. For this reason, it is important to pick a highly skilled surgeon to maximize your chance of a good outcome.
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Rhinoplasty can make your breathing worse if done incorrectly
Rhinoplasty is a very delicate surgery. If done carefully and properly your nasal breathing will either remain the same or will improve. I always address the septum when doing any nasal surgery. It is the most important part of the surgery and acts to stabilize and set the overall shape of the nose. If nasal surgery is done incorrectly or in untrained hands, it can definitely impede the nasal airway.
I actually perform a significant amount of revision...
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Rhinoplasty can make breathing worse, if not done correctly.
Some of the maneuvers that refine and reduce the nose may lead to problems with nasal breathing even if such problems did not exist before surgery. Fortunately, an experienced surgeon will widen and support the nasal valve and/or bolster the nasal tip to prevent this from happening. Also, it is important to remedy any deflections of the nasal septum or enlargements of the turbinates (mounds of tissue inside the nose that are involved in warming and humidifying inspired air) at the...
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Rhinoplasty and breathing
The rhinoplasty operation, if done incorrectly, can certianly worsen the breathing. The surgeon should evaluate the nose internally to make sure there are no anatomical issues can be addressed durring the surgery. The surgeon should also perform the rhinoplasty in a method that conserves the nasal tip cartilages, instead of removing them. Older techniques thinned and reshaped the nose by removing cartilage. Today's techniques shape the nose by reshaping the cartilages rather than...
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Breathing Problems after Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is well documented to cause breathing problems after surgery. So yes, the problem or the potential for the problem exists. Certain anatomic features can predispose a patient to have this problem. An experienced surgeon will anticipate the problem and use various technical maneuvers during surgery to reduce the chance of breathing problems. Proper technical performance of the surgery further reduces the chance of post surgical breathing problems. During consultation a thorough...
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Airway Restriction Is A Possible Complication of Rhinoplasty
Since most rhinoplasty surgery is done to reduce the size of the nose, it stands to reason that airway restriction could ensue. A surgeon who is experienced in both the functional and aesthetic components of nasal surgery is the key to maintaining or even improving your airway. Most facial plastic surgeons are extensively trained in the functional aspects of rhinoplasty. Be sure to use a surgeon who makes rhinoplasty a focus of his/her practice.
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Breathing and rhinoplasty
Can rhinoplasty worsen breathing? Yes, but if done properly it does not! To ensure that you have the best cosmetic and functional result possible, seek out surgeons who have a lot of experience with rhinoplasty.
Changing the nose to make it look better need note compromise breathing. The problem comes when surgeons attempt to make the nose look better with out concern or understanding of the function of the nose. Unfortunately, I am referred many of these patients who...
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Rhinoplasty and Breathing
Rhinoplasty is a delicate surgery that is a marriage of both form and function. The nose is a functional organ as well as an aesthetic unit of the face. A good rhinoplasty surgeon will always consider the functional nature of the nose as well as the cosmetic aspects.
That being said, in the long-term, your breathing should not be worse after rhinoplasty and often times my patients notice that it is even better then before surgery. Consult with a surgeon that is...
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Rhinoplasty should not worsen breathing
You certainly don't have to sacrifice a smaller, better looking nose for a well functioning nose. When done well, cosmetic rhinoplasty should not lead to a worsening in nasal breathing. However, there are some surgeons who use a more reductive approach to surgery which can lead to problems down the road with scarring, pinching and chronic nasal obstruction. I have performed revision rhinoplasty procedures in many patients who remark that their nose looked great for many months (or...
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Rhinoplasty and Nasal Breathing
Part of preoperative planning is informed consent: A Surgeon discusses all of the potential risks and benefits of a procedure with a patient and the patient acknowledges (in written form) that the Surgeon has done so and that all of the patient's questions were answered. When discussing Rhinoplasty, the possibility of temporary and permanent nasal obstruction should always be discussed. With modern Rhinoplasty techniques, great emphasis is placed on preservation of nasal...
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Rhinoplasty and Breathing
The nose serves two main purposes which is the functional aspect of airflow as well as the aesthetic aspect of facial identity and attractiveness. Rhinoplasty (the reshaping of the nose) improves the appearance of the nose. However, the reshaping of the nose must be done in the context of either improving or maintaining a functional nasal airway.
It is for this reason that a rhinoplasty should be done by a surgeon who understands and correct functional nasal issues....
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Rhinoplasty can make you breathing worse
A procedure on your nose can definitely make the breathing worse. That is why you must make sure that the surgeon is familiar with not only the cosmetic aspects of the surgery, but also the physiology of the nasal airway as it relates to breathing.
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Well performed rhinoplasty should not worsen your breathing.
Rhinoplasty surgeons today should evaluate both the aesthetic issues of concern as well as the functional breathing aspect. It is important to perform a structured rhinoplasty that not only improves the appearance long term without collapse but also improves the function of the nose as well. This may be performed with adjuctive procedures such as septoplasty, turbinectomy, outfracturing, placement of spreader grafts and rim grafts etc. Many of the old-fashioned rhinoplasty...
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In rare situations, breathing worse after rhinoplasty
There's always a possibility it could make the breathing work. Generally, a qualified plastic surgeon should understand how to avoid making it any worse.
For normal nose breathing, there are two areas that could restrict or decrease air flow. One is the internal valve and the other is the external valve. The internal valve is more commonly effected during nose surgery, especially when someone has a very large hump removed. The internal valve isn't kept open with spreader grafts...
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How to preserve good breathing after a rhinoplasty
It is quite reasonable for the patient undergoing rhinoplasty to expect that nasal breathing is unchanged and possibly even improved. As you probably have learned by now rhinoplasty is one of the more difficult procedures for a surgeon to master. No all nasal surgeons can perform satisfactory Septoplasty, turbinate surgery, internal valve or external valve surgery. These maneuvers are required in some nasal surgeries to achieve optimum result.
It is imperative that an...
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Properly done the rhinoplasty surgery should not make breathing worse
Rhinoplasty is a popular and effective surgery to recontour the shape of your nose. This surgery can be done to alter the shape, contour, and size of your nose. It is also possible to improve the internal airway so that it will make breathing easier. However, if the internal nasal valve is narrowed during your surgery is possible that he may have more difficulty breathing afterwards.
For this reason, it is essential that you work only with a board-certified plastic surgeon that has a great...
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Breathing problem after cosmetic rhinoplasty
Yes, it certainly is possible to reduce the size of a nose and make it more difficult to breath. However, an experienced surgeon should be able to minimize the risk. In most cases, a cosmetic rhinoplasty should not compromise your breathing.
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Can't breathe after rhinoplasty
Unfortunately I have seen many people who have been told that they need to choose between having their nose look pretty or being able to breathe. This is not a good choice. Rhinoplasty should be performed to optimize aesthetics without compromising nasal breathing. Sometimes when a surgeon is trying to make the nose smaller, much of the cartilage may be removed,
This may lead to problems breathing after time as the nose lacks support and...
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Rhinoplasty and Nasal Obstruction
Unfortunately, older surgical techniques can lead to nasal collapse after rhinoplasty. This is especially true after "closed rhinoplasty". This is especially true if you had a large nasal hump (bump) prior to your surgery. Excessive removal of cartilage can lead to collapse of the airway and result in nasal obstruction. Fortunately, surgical techiques have improved dramatically over the past several decades and the incidence of nasal obstruction after...
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I'm afraid the answer is yes
However this occurs in only a small percentage of times. If the surgery is done right and the surgeon doesn't try to make the nose too small, then its rare. Its a more common error with young inexperienced surgeons and I've found more common in surgeries from the middle east. Iran in particular. Unfortunately when it happens its often very difficult to fix.
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Breathing Issues With Making The Nose Smaller
In most cases, rhinoplasty can be performed to make the nose smaller while preserving the ability to breathe easily through the nose. You would be best off going to a rhinoplasty surgeon who also has experience and training in functional nose surgery. For example, facial plastic surgeons have a background in cosmetic nose surgery as well as ENT.
In some cases where the nose is made smaller to appear more refined, special maneuvers need to be performed to minimize chances the nasal airway...
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Compromised Brathing after Rhinoplasty
Compromised breathing is a possible complication of rhinoplasty surgery, especially when reduction of nasal size is the goal. Function can be maintained, or improved if necessary, with the use of good techniques by an experienced surgeon.
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Trouble breathing after Rhinoplasty
The short answer is yes. Ideally that should not happen, but it can. The operation of the nose, is usually to make it smaller.If something is not done on the inside, breathing can be compromised. That is a good reason to see a Facial Plastic surgeon who is trained in ENT (ear, nose and throat) or a Plastic Surgeon who specializes in nasal surgery. I do not think you can be a proficient nasal surgeon without knowning how to do intranasal airway surgery. Its like building a house from the...
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Well performed rhinoplasty should not affect breathing
It is important to thoroughly examine the nose before surgery and evaluate the functional component in addition to the cosmetic concerns that brought you to the consult. The septum, turbinates and nasal valves all can affect nasal airway.
A well performed rhinoplasty should improve the appearance of the nose while maintaining proper nasal airway patency. If the nasal tip support and valves are weakened, these should be resupported. A good rhinoplasty result should be achieving your...
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Can rhinoplasty make breathing worse?
Any rhinoplasty operation which makes the nose smaller can also worsen breathing. It is important to have a thorough discussion with your surgeon about the techniques that would be employed during surgery to minimize potential for nasal obstruction. In general, the more that the nose is made smaller, the greater the risk for nasal blockage. Be sure that your surgeon has plenty of experience both in nasal aesthetics and nasal function.
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Seek a surgeon who is mindful of the nasal airflow
Many of the techniques used to narrow the nasal tip can make the nostrils smaller and/or draw inward the outer walls of the bottom of the nose. These techniques can have the effect of reducing airflow.
However there are many structural techniques that have beemn developed that improves the shape of the nose without reducing airflow. These techniqies emphasize creating a better proportioned nose rather than categorically making every nose smaller--"structural...
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Rhinoplasty and Breathing Problems
Patients interested in a rhinoplasty (nasal reshaping) surgery usually want to have a smaller and more refined appearance of their nose. It is very important to remember that as the nose becomes smaller on the outside, it also narrows the airway inside. This can potentially compromise the passage of air and result in a breathing obstruction.
A comprehensive physical exam and understanding of your particular surgical needs by your surgeon, should help to prevent any unwanted airway changes...
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Rhinoplasty Should Produce A Good Looking Nose That Works Well!
A successful rhinoplasty is one that produces a nose the both looks good and functions correctly. That being said, there are always risks associated with any surgery. Nasal obstruction is a potential risk of rhinoplasty if it is not performed correctly.
Choosing the right surgeon is very important to ensure that you are pleased with both the appearance and functionality of your nose. Look for either a board certified plastic surgeon or ENT / facial plastic surgeon who specialize specifically...
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Rhinoplasty and breathing issues
Yes, it is possible. One particularly difficult problem compromising the airway is collapse of the nasal valve. Simplistically, nature saw fit to supply the nose with a support mechanism which keeps the nasal wall from collapsing when a deep breath is taken through the nose. It the soft tissue side wall of the nose were totally passive, it would collapse into the airway as negative pressure is generated during deep inhalation. The nasal valve supports the wall so that the air passage...
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