Mouth breather with lifelong difficulty breathing through nose and sleep apnea; should I get rhinoplasty/genioplasty? (photos)

Question

I have had difficulties breathing through my nose all my life, as well as sleep apnea. I am a young woman and nothing has been resolved yet even after multiple consultations with various specialists who seem to throw p their hands and say “We can reduce your turbinates.” I believe my apnea is a result of my weak chin (I’ve also been a mouth breather for a long time), but am unsure about my nasal issues.

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

hello thank you for your question and provided information as well .. based on your question and the picture you showed, its dificult to evaluate you, because the angles its not good surgeon to check what plastic surgery do you apply.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

While a sliding genioplasty does not provide major improvements in sleep apnea, the forward position of the bony chin with its genioglossus muscle attachment can provide some minor improvements in certain patients if their sleep apnea is of  mechanical obstruction origin and not a central sleep apnea. If you combine this with a septorhinoplasty due to your difficulty in breathing you may find a overall modest sleep apnea improvement. Besides the aesthetic benefits you will hav at least removed two potential contributors to your sleep apnea.

Kimberly Lee, MD · Answer

A deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, and weak chin can all contribute to mouth breathing and sleep apnea.  However, it would be important to also obtain a sleep study to determine the severity of the sleep apnea.  An in-person consultation to  evaluate the back of your mouth/throat is also important as that is often a contributing factor to sleep apnea.  Please consult with a board certified ENT(Head and Neck Surgeon)/Facial Plastic Surgeon who can assist you further.

Mehdi Sina, MD · Answer

Hi,If your goal is to improve/resolve your sleep apnea you need to see a sleep medicine specialist for a sleep endoscopy to diagnose the level of obstruction. It is very rare that nose surgery (septoplasty, turbinoplasty) improve sleep apnea significantly. Also, depending on the level of obstruction, chin advancement may or may not be indicated. Best place to start if you are looking to improve sleep apnea is with a sleep medicine specialist, not a plastic surgeon. Best,

Mouth breather with lifelong difficulty breathing through nose and sleep apnea; should I get rhinoplasty/genioplasty? (photos)

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