Can Rhinoplasty Surgery Make my Breathing Worse?

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.

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.