Post-rhinoplasty breathing problems
I had a rhinoplasty done just after I turned 16 (I'm 26 now) and have always been pleased with the look of my nose. However, I have also had major breathing problems since the surgery that I haven't been able to correct with medications (including allergy meds and decongestants), mechanical efforts (e.g. nasal washing), or standard/alternative medicine (including acupunture, etc.). I have also had trouble with bleeding - I don't get nosebleeds, but my nose does bleed whenever I blow my nose (which I do about every 10 minutes!) and it's somewhat alarming to see tissues spattered with blood, even after all these years. I have also noticed that when I'm particularly stuffy, I experience burning in my sinuses on inhaling, similar to the burning one would get after accidentally inhaling chlorinated pool water. My regular doctors are perplexed and I think they have decided I'm hallucinating :-)
The surgeon who performed the procedure is no longer practicing. I'm wondering how I can determine if my breathing issues are a result of the surgery or if they are unrelated. Do I need to schedule a formal consultation with another cosmetic surgeon, or is there another (i.e. faster or less expensive) way for me to find out if I have any of the standard (uncommon, I know) side effects of surgery?
Thank you so much!
Answers (1)
The quick and easy.
Usually, and I repeat usually, a problem with breathing after rhinoplasty is due to the nasal valve getting pinched to a smaller angle. Your nasal valve (you have two - one on each side of your nose) can be described simply as the angle where the septum (the wall of your nose) meets the nostrils - the area we are speaking of is about 1.5 cm inside your nose. If this angle got smaller after surgery, you could have a marked decrease in your ability to breathe. This problem often occurs after a hump reduction of the nose.
To test out if it is your nasal valve thats causing the problem, take your first finger and thumb and place them on your nose like you are going to pinch it. The spot you want to place your hand is right where the soft part of your bridge meets the bony part - about half way up your nose. Now, while pinching enough to grasp the skin, slide this tissue towards your forehead. If you can breathe better with the skin slid upwards, you likely have a nasal valve problem and this can be corrected by your surgeon.
As far as the bleeding goes, this sometimes occurs if you have a septal perforation - a hole in the wall that splits your nose in two. The tissue can really get dried out and bleeds very easily - particularly when you blow your nose or sneeze. There are many other possibilities for nose bleeds, but that is a common cause if your septum was treated and proper healing didn't occur. Go to the mirror, look inside your nose and see if you can see from one side to the other. Again if it is present, your surgeon can correct it!
good luck!
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