3 weeks PO. I'm unable to breathe through my nose after septorhinoplasty. Is this normal or should I see another doctor?

If you're having difficulty breathing, it can mean that there may be a problem with the repositioning of your septum and the septum may be blocking your airway. Alternatively, it could be due to excessive swelling. I would recommend returning to your surgeon to ensure there is not a structural problem.

It takes a year and sometimes more for all the swelling to leave the nose after a septorhinoplasty. So the sensation of a stuffed nose and seeing the swelling you are seeing are all par for the course. Continue follow ups with your surgeon. Sometimes the most difficult part of surgery is having patience until the swelling goes fully away.

Thanks for your question, and I am sorry you are frustrated with the recovery process. Since you are still early in your healing, it is not at all unusual for you to still feel like you can’t breathe out of your nose. Septorhinoplasty is a complicated procedure that affects the entire internal structure of your nose, and it takes a substantial amount of time to heal completely. I would advise you to continue to use your saline drops and keep your follow-up appointments with your surgeon to monitor your progress. I wish you all the best as you await the outcome of your surgery!

You had a septoplasty but your breathing issues may be related to other areas of obstruction like your external valve, turbinates, or internal valves.  Discuss with your surgeon if this is the case.  Also you must ensure all swelling has resolved. 

Dear Courageous1036, Thank you for your question and congratulations on your rhinoplasty operation. The first few weeks post-operatively, it is not uncommon to feel as if you have a stuffy nose or a cold that interrupts your breathing. This should dissipate. Also, since swelling lasts at least 6-12 months and in some cases even longer, this may also impact your breathing. However, if you are still having concerns I suggest following up with your Board Certified Operating Surgeon. Best of luck to you! 

Hello and thank you for your question. I understand your concern, but I advise for your next steps of action to be to have your surgeon assess you and how your nose is healing, and for you to be patient. Nasal obstruction following a septorhinoplasty is not uncommon and usually resolves with time.
For any future questions or concerns needing clarification, do not hesitate to reach out to your surgeon!

Gary Linkov, MD
Rhinoplasty Specialist
Manhattan

Hello, thank you for your questions. I am sorry to hear about your frustrations with your healing process. As the other surgeons on this thread mentioned, you are still very very early in the healing process and the congestion and difficulty with nose breathing you are experiencing is all fairly normal with swelling and the overall healing process, post-op. Please have patience and readdress your concerns if they do not start to improve in the next 5 months. Good luck!

Thank you for your question. Difficulty breathing and discomfort is not uncommon after a rhinoplasty. During the first two weeks of recovery, it is important to keep your head elevated during sleep and to avoid lifting more than five to ten pounds. Please follow the cleaning instructions and you should begin to see improvement. After doing so, you may want to follow-up with your board certified facial plastic surgeon to see if your breathing and comfort has improved. 
Best wishes,

Hello,Thank you for your question. As you are in a very early stage of healing internal swellings might be present as well as the external ones. Proper cleaning, saline sprays, special creams as well as the nose massage might be helpful in your case. Share your concerns with your surgeon again as only he knows which interventions have been done. To find out more please click on the attached link. 

There is of course a lot of swelling on the inside of your nose after rhinoplasty. This can cause some difficulty breathing especially at night. There are some things that should be checked and your surgeon knows best wha was done. You might benefit from a steroid spray like Flonase.