Can you breathe through the nose right after surgery?

Question

I have had two surgeries under general anesthesia, and I know the feeling when waiking up (For me I felt confused). I'm planning on having rhinoplasty surgery this coming year and my question is, when waiking up from anesthesia will I be able to breathe through my mouth?. This is what makes me really nervous, not knowing how I will feel if I can't breaht through my mouth, is there something my doctor can do to help me? I have a consultation in 2 weeks and will also ask this question, Thank you

James Bonaparte, MD, MSc, FRCSC · Answer

Hello there,As an Otolaryngologist (Head and Neck Surgeon) as well as a Facial Cosmetic Surgeon, i see alot of nose surgery. Both for breathing problems as well as for cosmetic concerns. I have a little talk I give people about breathing after surgery and I will try to summarize and give some advice. The first thing to remember, is every surgeon is DIFFERENT. We all do different things. Ask your surgeon if he plans on performing a "Septoplasty" for your rhinoplasty. If that is the case, you may notice your breathing actually improve after surgery on the first day, however...your breathing will likely worsen for the next week or two as it will take that long for swelling to go down. Also, ask your surgeon if he/she uses nasal splints. This can make the breathing very difficult for a few weeks until they are removed. The typical case after a rhinoplasty is that you will wake up with some gauze under your nose so it may be hard to breath through your nose. But you will easily be able to breath through your mouth. Some people, who narrow their nose alot, may end up with some breathing trouble after the surgery, but this is something you should discuss with your surgeon. Hopefully this was somewhat helpfull,Dr James P. Bonaparte, MD, MSc, FRCSCOtolaryngology Head and Neck SurgeryPracticing in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Philip Solomon, MD, FRCS · Answer

This really depends on your surgeons technique.  Historically nasal packing was utilized routinely following nasal surgery. There has been a trend to use nasal packing  selectively following nasal surgery. In my practice I only utilize nasal packing and rare situations where there is excess nasal bleeding.  For routine Rhinoplasty procedures no packing is needed.  Typically patients are able to breathe through their nose immediately following  rhinoplasty surgery. Mild nasal congestion usually subsides over the first few weeks.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Most of my patients can breathe through the nose after surgery, but this is difficult to answer without knowing what should be done to get you to your goals.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Guy Watts, MBBS (Hons), FRACS (Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your question. Having a surgery and anaesthesia is a nerve racking experience for most people but it need not be. Depending on the requirements of your surgery you may or may not require nasal packing. If you do you will not be able to breathe through your nose but you will be able to breathe through your mouth. The nursing and anaesthetic staff will be by your side and monitoring you the entire time that you are recovering. They will be there to reassure you and instruct you on what you need to do. Be confident that you are in safe hands, after all they do this everyday. Best of luck!RegardsDr Guy Watts

Elliot M. Heller, MD · Answer

you may want to consult your doctor regarding this. You are usually unable to breath out of your nose after Rhinoplasty because the nose is packed and that does scare people, so maybe there is something that your doctor can do for you

William Portuese, MD · Answer

There are many reasons patient's are able/ not able to breathe out of their nose. In our practice, we do  not place any packing inside the nose, so patients are able to breathe out of their nose.  There is still going to be some  swelling on the inside of the nose even though an external rhinoplasty is being performed. If a septoplasty has been performed or  harvesting for cartilage grafting has been performed on the inside of the nose, patients will be restricted from breathing out of their nose due to the swelling in the septum. For more information and many examples, please see  the  link and the video below

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

Yes. You should be able to breathe through your nose. Most people will feel congested, however, due to swelling and the tape/ splint that keeps the nose from swelling and shifting after surgery. Most patients find the congestion mildly annoying for the first 3-5 days but it is typically not severe. I hope this information is helpful for you.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Can you breathe through the nose right after surgery?

Answers (7)

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