When Will Internal Swelling Subside After Rhinoplasty?

It is very common to experience decreased breathing for the first 3-6 months after Rhinoplasty surgey. After the internal swelling has decreased breathing will improve.
The nasal mucosa tends to be dry following Rhinoplasty and especially during the heating season, the air is dry and the mucosa swells in an attempt to moisturize the nasal air and nasal stuffiness worsens. Using an Ultrasonic humidifier at the bedside at night will help.
However, about 10% of patients never regain their full pre Rhinoplasty air flow through the nose.
There are numerous causes:
1. The nose is smaller--less room for air to pass
2. Scarring inside can constrict the airway
3. If too much cartilage was removed from the lower nasal vault, the lower soft part of the nose can collapse during sniffing or breathing in--a condition called internal nasal valvular obstruction
4. Pre-existent nasal septal deformity (curved nasal septum) that was not corrected during Rhinoplasty the effect of which is worsened by reducing nasal height and width during Rhinoplasty.
If you are over 3 months post op and still experiencing breathing problems return to your doctor for an exam.

                It’s not unusual for patients to have difficulty breathing through their nose following nasal surgery. In most cases, this is related to normal post-operative swelling and resolves quickly. In some cases crusting and scabbing within the nasal passages may also contribute to this problem.

                The problem is often related to the type of procedure performed. For instance, when septal work or large dorsal humps are removed, this problem seems more likely. In the vast majority of cases, breathing difficulty resolves in 4 to 6 weeks as swelling resolves. In a small percentage swelling may persist for 4 to 6 months following rhinoplasty.

                In a small percentage of patients, breathing problems may be permanent and related to structural changes in the nose. When this situation arises, secondary nasal surgery may be necessary.

                If you’re having persistent difficulty breathing through your nose it’s important to consult your plastic surgeon. Your surgeon should be able to evaluate your nose and determine an appropriate course of action. 

Swelling can make breathing difficult or impossible, but this usually resolves as  swelling subsides. This can take a couple of months, or longer if your procedure was extensive.