April 30, 2020 Rhinoplasty - nasal valve collapse? (Photo)

Question

Hello! I had a rhinoplasty April 30, 2020. After healing, I noticed my nostrils were/are very blocked. I've gone back to my surgeon multiple times in the past 1.5 years and he first said allergies, then gave me nasal cones to push back. Those didn't do anything but I was breathing SOO much better with them in. He then gave me steroids shots which didn't do anything. Finally, he clipped a little bit up into my nose which seemed to help very slightly. Looking for advice. B&A pics posted.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. There could be many reasons for your breathing difficulty, all of which could likely be improved with a revision.   I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Sean Fisher, MD · Answer

breathing difficulty after rhinoplasty can be due to a variety of factors, including size of your turbinates, position of your septum, and structural integrity of your internal and external nasal valves. If you have had persisting breathing issues that have not improved after this duration of time from your primary surgery, they are unlikely to resolve spontaneously. Revision rhinoplasty could address these problems, however the solution and techniques used would depend on the specific problem. It may involve reducing your turbinates, straightening the nasal septal and using cartilage grafts- spreader grafts vs flaps (for internal valve problems) vs alar contour grafts (for external valve problems).
Sean M Fisher MD

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Much more information is needed, such as a copy of your operative report find out what maneuvers were performed inside the nose, in addition to knowing how much cartilage is left over on the inside of the nose for potential grafting purposes. There are many different issues on the inside of the nose that can cause nasal instruction such as a deviated nasal septum, turbinate hypertrophy, internal valve collapse, external valve collapse, allergies, and chronic sinusitis. All of this will need to be sorted out through an in-person consultation.

April 30, 2020 Rhinoplasty - nasal valve collapse? (Photo)

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April 30, 2020 Rhinoplasty - nasal valve collapse? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Revision Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.