When Will Internal Swelling Subside After Rhinoplasty?

                It’s not unusual for patients to have difficulty breathing through their nose following nasal surgery. In most cases, this is related to normal post-operative swelling and resolves quickly. In some cases crusting and scabbing within the nasal passages may also contribute to this problem.

                The problem is often related to the type of procedure performed. For instance, when septal work or large dorsal humps are removed, this problem seems more likely. In the vast majority of cases, breathing difficulty resolves in 4 to 6 weeks as swelling resolves. In a small percentage swelling may persist for 4 to 6 months following rhinoplasty.

                In a small percentage of patients, breathing problems may be permanent and related to structural changes in the nose. When this situation arises, secondary nasal surgery may be necessary.

                If you’re having persistent difficulty breathing through your nose it’s important to consult your plastic surgeon. Your surgeon should be able to evaluate your nose and determine an appropriate course of action. 

Swelling can make breathing difficult or impossible, but this usually resolves as  swelling subsides. This can take a couple of months, or longer if your procedure was extensive. 

If you have had functional surgery it may take 2-3
months for internal swelling to subside. The key is to use saline nasal spray
post operatively to allow for swelling to subside faster.

Did you have a problem breathing through your nose before surgery? Is the blockage on one side or both? How long ago was your surgery?
In general, you should breathe easily through your nose between 2-3 weeks after rhinoplasty. if you're having a difficulty breathing through your nose, you should let your surgeon know.
I hope this helps.

Internal nasal swelling is greatest over the first 48-72 hours and subsequently subsiding substantially by 3 weeks, However a process called the nasal cycle can create an alternating cycle of obstruction passing from one side of the nose to the other and lasting approximately 2 hours

Swelling is to be expected after a rhinoplasty, both inside and outside the nose. If you also underwent a septoplasty, you can expect your internal swelling to last even longer. The length of time that this will last depends upon how much work you had done. In general, you should be able to breathe through your nose normally within 2-3 months after a rhinoplasty. If you had a complex septoplasty, your swelling may last even longer. I would recommend speaking to your surgeon if you are still having trouble breathing through your nose three months after surgery. Good luck.

Swelling that affects your breathing after rhinoplasty is normal and will depend on how much surgery you had. A simple tip rhinoplasty will have less swelling than an extensive septorhinoplasty. Your breathing should be back to "normal" anywhere from 2-3 weeks after surgery to 2-3 months after surgery. This will also depend on how your were breathing before surgery. Your surgeon should be able to give you the best estimate as he is familiar with the exact procedure that you had.

 Internal nasal swelling that is making it difficult for you to breath may take a while to subside after surgery. This can take several weeks to a few months depending upon what  type of surgery was performed internally.  If it persists more than a a few months, you should be re-evaluated.

It is very common to experience decreased breathing for the first 3-6 months after Rhinoplasty surgey. After the internal swelling has decreased breathing will improve.
The nasal mucosa tends to be dry following Rhinoplasty and especially during the heating season, the air is dry and the mucosa swells in an attempt to moisturize the nasal air and nasal stuffiness worsens. Using an Ultrasonic humidifier at the bedside at night will help.
However, about 10% of patients never regain their full pre Rhinoplasty air flow through the nose.
There are numerous causes:
1. The nose is smaller--less room for air to pass
2. Scarring inside can constrict the airway
3. If too much cartilage was removed from the lower nasal vault, the lower soft part of the nose can collapse during sniffing or breathing in--a condition called internal nasal valvular obstruction
4. Pre-existent nasal septal deformity (curved nasal septum) that was not corrected during Rhinoplasty the effect of which is worsened by reducing nasal height and width during Rhinoplasty.
If you are over 3 months post op and still experiencing breathing problems return to your doctor for an exam.

Hi!
You don't give a time frame, but one month is reasonable after rhinoplasty.  If you cannot breath through your nose after that, see your doctor, because there may be a problem.