When I laugh or yawn it feel like something is ripping apart inside my nose.

Question

I'm 6 weeks post op from an open septorhinoplasty. When I smile or yawn it feels like something is ripping/pulling inside my right nostril. I thought this would be gone by now (I don't recall it during my original rhinoplasty). It's quite painful and I'm worried I'm ruining something in my nose. Is this normal at this stage post op?

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I think that you need tio give it more time to heal. This is most likely related to swelling and will likely improve with time.

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear 10yearsinthemaking,

Thank you for your clinical
post.  Unfortunately, septorhinoplasty
especially enhancement or revision septorhinoplasty can be subject to these odd
or disturbing sensations of pulling, ripping or tearing on animation.  In general, secondary rhinoplasty especially
tip work will involve support sutures and structural grafts and during
animation the overlying soft tissue envelope can pull on the underlying
substructure or internal sutures and give a pulling or tearing feeling.  Simple animation such as smiling will likely
not disrupt anything, however, aggressive physical activity, trauma to the nose
or sleeping on the nose can all result in loss of suture support and structural
grafting which can alter the shape of the nose.

If you are concerned or this happens
again or there is some untoward aesthetic contour shape change you should certainly
contact your plastic surgeon or a rhinoplasty specialist as they are in the
best position to advise at this point in time.

I hope this information is of some
assistance and best of luck.

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto

When I laugh or yawn it feel like something is ripping apart inside my nose.

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When I laugh or yawn it feel like something is ripping apart inside my nose.

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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