Breathing and Tip Problems After Rhinoplasty

Question

I had a septoplasty and Rhinoplasty around over a month ago. I went to the doctor especially because I couldn’t breathe very well, and because I was there, I decided to ask the surgeon to remove the hump I had on my nose. I had an open rhinoplasty and after removing the cast 7 days later, the doctor saw that I had a big hematoma on the right side. He said that during the surgery on that side, I bled a little more, but not to worry because it will go down.
I think the profile looks great, but the problem is from the front. The nose tip goes a little (more) to the left. I know my nostrils look different, but I don’t understand why the tip of the nose goes to the left. Is it because of the swelling/hematoma? Will the bridge of the nose narrow in the future? Also, I still can’t breathe through my right nostril. Some air goes in and comes out but when I look inside everything looks “glued”; I tried using salt water but, it didn't help. I can breathe better if I use nasal spray, but I try not to use so much because I was dependent on it for a couple of years some time ago.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Agatha:
You are only a month out and this is too early too draw any final conclusions.
Scarring can take six weeks to develop and another 6 weeks to settle down.
We generally don't take our postoperative photos of noses until 6 months and many recommend a year in order to assess the final results of surgery.
Also breathing can be affected by the swelling which occurs during this period as well. This may have been aggravated by the hematoma but gives this time to resolve.
I know it is difficult to e patient but it is better that you wait at least 3 months and preferably 6 months before you draw any conclusions.
Generallly, we don't worry as much about dependence upon saline nasal spray as we do about addiction/dependence on nasal decongestants especially Afrin type products which can cause rebound swelling
You may want to ask your physician about steroid nasal sprays to decrease intranasal swelling/scarring. Some physicians also use steroid injections to decrease or soften scarring. Physicians vary on their opinions about this and you can experience other unwanted side effects.
The fact that you can breathe better with saline spray is a good sign. If it were a rigid scar, it is less likely that it would improve with saline spray. You may find that breathing in water vapor through a vaporizer or in a steam shower will also provide you with improvement.

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

It’s not unusual for patients undergoing rhinoplasty to have prolonged swelling.  This swelling can adversely impact the aesthetic result and cause difficulty breathing through the nose.  Several factors including the use of open rhinoplasty, fracture of the nasal bones, thickness of the nasal skin and previous rhinoplasty have been associated with prolonged swelling.
            Most patients will note significant swelling for about two weeks following surgery.  After two weeks, most patients are comfortable resuming their normal lives and going out in public.  Swelling will persist in most patients for at least one year following surgery, with the nasal tip being the last site to experience resolution.
  
            In the immediate postoperative period nasal splints, elevation of the head and ice can be used to minimize swelling.  In some cases, crusting and scabbing within the nasal passages may also contribute to breathing problems.  Under these circumstances, nasal saline and hydrogen peroxide irrigations may be helpful as well.
  
            The postoperative period is characterized by rapid change.  For this reason, both functional and aesthetic improvements can be anticipated.  It’s therefore important to be patient and maintain good communication with your plastic surgeon.

Steven H. Williams, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question and follow-up comments.
It is good to see you're getting some improvement in inhalation at three months.  As you can see time can be an important factor with rhinoplasty.
Has the tip deviation improved?
The problem with inhalation can come from residual internal swelling.  You may want to ask your surgeon (if you don't know) if he did any work with your turbinates or if on re-examination he discovered the turbinates to be prominent.
Another important test to perform to assess inspiration difficulty is a test called the cottle test.  
You can perform this yourself.  Place your index finger at the side of the of your nose on your cheek just above your nostril.  Gently pull laterally and see if your breathing improves.  If it does you may have "internal valve collapse" which likely was not caused by the surgery but always existed.  There are surgical techniques to fix this. 
I hope this helps.

Philip Young, MD · Answer

Sometimes, when you have more oozing on one side it will be more swollen and cause the nose to look asymmetric which will resolve in a few months. You will continue to change for the first 6 months to a year. Your doctor will know best what it will likely look like.  
Depending on what was done, the tip will likely get more and more refined and look better and better. The breathing can be due to swelling in this early period. Because your tip looks like it goes to the right, it is possible that this is due to a structural issue and that your tip is going to the left which will impinge sometimes the airway on the right side. This may require a revision but it may be too early to tell. 
I would discuss this with your doctor and have him look at it. The only way to tell is for me to really look at it in person as well. Don't worry, all will be well. You can easily revise these things often times.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

It appears that after your rhinoplasty you had a hematoma and are experiencing healing asymmetries in your nose.  The hematoma itself can create more scar tissue and can give an asymmetric contraction of the nose, which will give the appearance of a twisted nose.  Do not use Afrin nasal spray in the nose to try to breathe as you may become addicted to that.  Prescription cortisone nasal sprays are a better option for the patient if they are having breathing problems out of the nose.

Breathing and Tip Problems After Rhinoplasty

Answers (7)

Answer: Its a little early to tell what is going to happen

Answer: Its a little early to tell what is going to happen

Answer: Cortisone nasal spray may help with breathing.

Answer: Cortisone nasal spray may help with breathing.

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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Breathing and Tip Problems After Rhinoplasty

Answers (7)

Answer: Its a little early to tell what is going to happen

Answer: Its a little early to tell what is going to happen

Answer: Cortisone nasal spray may help with breathing.

Answer: Cortisone nasal spray may help with breathing.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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