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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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breathing risk

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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Babak Azizzadeh, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

Jason Litner, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

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Umang Mehta, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

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.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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... more

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Sam Most, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

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.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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... more

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Benjamin C. Marcus, MD

Madison Facial Plastic Surgeon

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. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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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Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD

Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

Jeffrey Weinzweig, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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... more

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Raghu Athre, MD

Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

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Anand D. Patel, MD

Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

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Andres Bustillo, MD

Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

Jon F. Harrell, DO

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

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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Louis W. Apostolakis, MD

Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

Andrew Winkler, MD

Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

Jacob D. Steiger, MD

Boca Raton Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

Thomas A Lamperti, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

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Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

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.... more

Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon

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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Robert Mounsey, MD

Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

Sanjay Grover MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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... more

Usha Rajagopal, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS

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... more

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Boris M. Ackerman, MD

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

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... more