Why can't I breathe after getting a rhinoplasty 10 months ago?

Thank you for your question. Although an exam would be required to know for sure, most likely your nasal passages are narrowed, restricting your breathing. There are a few techniques that can be utilized to improve this, but it all depends on where the obstruction is occurring. Again, and exam would be the best way to determine this. Hope that helps, and all the best!
-Dr. P

Hello, and thank you for your question. While it is normal to experience difficulty in breathing after rhinoplasty (the inner lining of the nose may be swollen), it should only be temporary. In your case where you are still experiencing breathing problems at 10 months post-op, there may be other mechanical obstructions (e.g., a displaced bone or cartilage). To know for sure and to address the issue, I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with a reputable board-certified facial plastic surgeon, particularly one with a strong rhinoplasty portfolio. Your surgeon can do a proper evaluation, determine the cause of your difficulty in breathing, recommend the best approach, and ensure the best possible outcome.

Dear Stephanie,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Ten months is quite enough for postoperative swelling (which can compromise breathing) to resolve. It is very likely that some type of mechanical obstruction (narrow airway, spur, turbinate size, etc.) creates current problem. This needs to be checked and appropriately addressed. For that reason, I would strongly advise you to see your original surgeon. Good luck.

You need to have an internal nasal evaluation. It could be a number of things. The simplest to deal with is enlarged turbinates. They can be reduced with steroid injections.

Hi, thank you for the question. An ENT (Otolaryngology) consultant should examine the nose (The first step) in detail. The second step might be nose -sinus coronal plan CT. According to the findings, a medical therapy (or rarely surgery) would be given. Regards. Cem Altindag. The Nose Clinic

You mentioned rhinoplasty, but did you also undergo a septoplasty or functional aspect to improve breathing? If not then the surgery should not affect your ability to breathe and the difficulty could be caused by something else, such as congestions, masses, prior deviation of the septum, concha bullosa, etc. You need to be examined to find out. Please seek a consultation of a nose specialist in your area for further info. Good luck!
-David Mattos

You need to be evaluated by an ENT physician or a Plastic surgeon with both cosmetic and ENT training. Perhaps you have a deviated nasal septum, allergies, hypertrophic turbinates or some other issue that was not dealt with during a cosmetic rhinoplasty. You are pointing out an issue with doing surgery out of the country where you have no recourse to the surgeon and post op problems.