How will I breathe after rhinoplasty?

After plastic surgery on the nose, patients complain of congestion.It manifests itself both after aesthetic (correction of defects) and after septoplasty (correction of the nasal septum).The nose begins to breathe differently in all patients. For some, for 3-4 days, for others by the end of the third week. Why this happens and what to do in case of prolonged breathing recovery after rhinoplasty, we will tell in this article.

Earlier, after plastic surgery of the nose, plastic surgeons injected twisted sterile bandages – turundas into the nasal passages. Removing them from there was very painful, and you had to breathe through your mouth. Now the tactics of rehabilitation have changed, and hollow silicone splints are used to maintain the shape of the nose. Their advantage is that air circulates through them. They are more elastic and durable, better retain the new shape of the nose and are not subject to mechanical deformation.

Despite this, nasal breathing may be difficult during the first week after surgery. There are natural reasons for this:

1. Internal edema that disappears after 7 days.

In our clinic, after nose surgery, a special splint is applied, not a plaster cast, as in the old days. After them, bruises and external edema do not remain. Patients walk with a splint for 7 days.

2. Formation of a ridge and drying of blood in the nose.

3. Dryness of the mucous membrane.

When to see a doctor if breathing has not been restored after rhinoplasty

After rhinoplasty, you must strictly follow the developed rehabilitation plan. In the first 3-4 days, there will be shortness of breath – this is the norm, so no measures need to be taken.

On the 7th day, when the tire is removed and the splints are removed. Many patients note that breathing becomes more free, but shortness of breath may still be observed for 3 weeks. At this time, the doctor may prescribe medications that have anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties.

After 3 weeks, the swelling is reduced by 80%.Therefore, in the period from 3 weeks to 3 months, patients may continue to complain of nasal congestion, absence or decreased sense of smell. By the end of the 3rd month, the sense of smell begins to recover. Complaints of shortness of breath remain in 15% of patients.