What can I do to correct the right side wall of my nose? 1 year post op and I have breathing issues / bone sticks out (photo)

Question

I had rhinoplasty a year ago and one side wall of the nose (my right but looks left on the photo) you can see the bone raised and it casts a shadow. I can feel the bone and it sticks out width wise towards my check. It sticks out past the tip width of my nose. Is there anything that can be done to correct this? I also can’t breathe now out of the right hand nostril and I had no problem before the op. I had a dorsal hump removed.

Jordan Kaplan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for providing a photograph. It appears as though your right nasal bone was inadequately in-fractured during your initial procedure. To correct this a revision rhinoplasty is your best option to straighten your nasal bones and improve symmetry. As for your breathing this could be due to multiple different issues and would be better evaluated during a consultation. The most common reasons for this breathing difficulty is an inadequate airway on that side or deviation of your nasal septum. Both of these can be corrected during a revision surgery. 1 year post surgery is the earliest I would undergo a revision and you have reached that point.

Oakley Smith, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Hi , It is better for you to consult with a facial plastic surgeon who can examine you and discuss the options available recovery process.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

It aoiears that your nasal bones are not adequately narrowed and rigid benefit from a revision. Internal nasal exam could determine what can be done for your airway

Selcuk Inanli, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question.As far as I can understand from your question. For get rid of this image and breathing issue I recommend you revision rhinoplasty.It would be better face to face consultation.Best regards!

Jennifer Goodrich, MD · Answer

Good afternoon. A revision rhinoplasty should be able to correct your 2 concerns. From the photo, it appears that there is some collapse of the upper lateral cartilage on the right which is likely the source of the functional issue (assuming the septum is straight) and is contributing to the shadowing. Additionally, osteotomies can help reduce the width of the bone on the right. I usually recommend waiting 1 year before considering a revision, and it sounds like you are at that mark. Good luck!

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Rhinoplasty surgery is not one specific procedure, but rather an umbrella of many different operations, all affecting the appearance of the nose. To get a clear understanding of what was done do you need to include the different aspects of the rhinoplasty so we know what surgery was done. We also need proper before and after pictures in order to make an assessment regarding the outcome of any plastic surgery operation. If you don’t have proper before and after pictures, then ask your surgeon to forward the pictures they took. Your surgeon is also the correct person to follow up with regarding the outcome of your procedure. If that person is unable to help you then consider rescheduling in person a second opinion, consultations coming, prepared with a complete set of before, and after pictures and copies of your operative report. These are all available from your current providers office if you request them. A single texture is insufficient to make an assessment regarding something as complex as a nasal evaluation after surgery.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

What can I do to correct the right side wall of my nose? 1 year post op and I have breathing issues / bone sticks out (photo)

Answers (6)