Can breathing troubles be due to a prior rhinoplasty? Though not an expected outcome some patients can experience this problem, espeically if the prior surgery didn't focus on maintaining the appropriate level of nasal support. I commonly encounter patients in my office who note slowly worsening breathing after their prior nose job. Often it takes a few years for this symptom to become evident.
Check out this recent RealSelf.com post where I discuss this exact issue and review some possible causes of nasal obstruction: http://realself.com/t/289847
The good news is that by using advanced rhinoplasty techniques there are many ways to correct this problem. Cartilage grafting can be done during a revision surgery to improve and/or strengthen the nasal framework. If there is still a septal deviation, this can be addressed as well.
This patient is a good example of nasal obstruction due to prior nose job surgery. She had a prior rhinoplasty procedure over twenty years ago. Over time the patient noted problems with chronic nasal obstruction from both sides of her nose.
Preoperatively, the patient has significant tip pinching and narrowing of the right middle third of her nose. She also has a droopy, over-projected tip and excessive columellar show. Internally, the patient had a significantly deviated nasal septum.
During the patient's revision rhinoplasty procedure I was able to straighten her deviated septum and then reconstructed the nasal framework to correct the severe nasal pinching and alar collapse. There is no reason to sacrifice the patient's nasal appearance in order to improve her breathing so during surgery I also improved the excessive columellar show, deprojected the tip and improved the tip defining point asymmetries.
The patient is now experiencing much improved nasal breathing and is very pleased with her outward nasal appearance as well.
Are you unhappy with your nose since having previous surgery? Wondering what can be done to improve your nasal function and appearance?
Contact us or call 206.505.1300 to set up a consultation with Dr. Lamperti to see what his expertise can do for you.
