Is it common for nasal packing after sinus surgery to be swallowed or difficult to get out? My doctor couldn't find mine today.

I had a rhinoseptoplasty and endoscopic sinus surgery 1 week ago. Today I had my cast removed on the outside of my nose and removal of the packing inside of my nose. The packing on my left was not found. The left side was much more swollen and the surgeon made 3 attempts to try and find the packing. The left side was extremely painful and we stopped after the 3 attempts. He thinks I may have swallowed the packing on the left or that it is further up. It was so painful, I'm afraid to go back.