4 wk Post-Op. Can't breathe yet 100% through nose. Rhinoplasty. Deviated Septum. Turbinate Reduction. I'm worried.

Relax and not to panic as you have underwent septorhinoplasty with turbinate reduction there will be lot of edema of the nasal mucosa with raw area.It takes atleast 6 weeks for new mucosal regeneration,till then it is advisable a good nasal douching with saline periodically is a must to avoid adhesions in your nasal cavity and swelling will minimize so you can breath well .It is advisable to use afrin only for 3 days and not beyond as rebound congestion will occur if used longer.Hence a good nasal cleaning post septorhinoplasty is required to keep your nasal airway patent.

I understand your concerns but I think you should relax. This is a very early stage to talk about results following so much work done on such a small structure. Surgery is still a trauma for the tissues and swelling can last for months. Nose surgery is probably amongst the procedure that take the longest to heal and probably you will not see any improvement of these symptoms for the next few months.The important is that you follow the instructions of your PS and do not use anything product without his approval: be patient is the best you can do.

Thank you for asking this question. I can understand how challenging it must be to have that much difficulty breathing. Fortunately it is very common to have this happen. Most of this is due to swelling. I would continue to be patient through this process. I wish you the best of luck. Theodore T. Nyame MD