Will I be able to breathe after rhinoplasty surgery?

Hi, and thank you for your question regarding rhinoplasty and recovery. Most patients find breathing to be difficult after a rhinoplasty or septoplasty procedure. Even if your board-certified facial plastic surgeon does not use packing, your nasal passages will be swollen and an excess of mucus will further impede your breathing. However, using a nasal rinse as directed by your board-certified facial plastic surgeon several times a day can make breathing significantly easier during your recovery. Also, your board-certified facial plastic surgeon can administer a steroid shot in the surgical area to help further open your breathing passages. Schedule an in-person consultation with your board-certified facial plastic surgeon to discuss these options in more detail. Good luck with your rhinoplasty, and best of health. 
- Jacqueline T. Cheng, MD

Based on the fact that you are already struggling with your breathing, undergoing a  septorhinoplasty will hopefully help correct your current issues, allowing you to breathe better.  With this surgery, comes a recovery period that may include packing and difficulty breathing through your nose.  Without packing, you may still feel as if you are congested, however, I recommend to my patients that they use a saline rinse 4 times a day to help.  Best you share your concerns with your surgeon.Best of luck,Dr. Philip Solomon - Solomon Facial Plastic - Toronto, Canada

In our practice, we do not place any painful packing inside the nose, however the nose will still be very congested after a septoplasty or a rhinoplasty procedure. It is possible to perform a steroid shot on the internal portion of the nose at the time of the surgery under anesthesia to help prevent panic attacks.