Can you speak and breathe well after a rhinoplasty? - Cosmetic / Plastic Surgery Message Board

kayUK · 05-11-2002, 02:24 PM

How does having a rhino affect the way you speak and breathe for a while? I had it done few wks ago, but I still can't talk properly, especially my top teeth seem strange. Still have tightness around cheeks and nose, can't smile properly yet. Is this all normal??

Thanks for your help.

Kay

Starbuk498 · 05-13-2002, 07:54 AM

Kay,

Yes! Please don't worry...it is very very common. I have had 4 surgeries on my nose....The first time, back in 1987 it was strictly cosmetic. Again, to fix a bump in 1988 and from an accident at a water park here in New Jersey again, I had to have it fixed in 1983. I had a lot of numbing each time and absolutely no pain. It was just uncomfortable....you have to sleep with your mouth open for a while.

My last time (the 4th time) I had the very tip fixed and it was a very extensive. For 2 months, when I spoke, my top lip didn't move and my teeth didn't feel like they belonged to me. I was very numb all over and because the muscles were affected, they weren't moving all that well for about 6-8 weeks.

So, please don't worry, it is very common after surgery. You are perfectly normal!

Stefanie

Dawn1973 · 05-13-2002, 09:53 AM

I had rhinoplasty done (for health, not cosmetic, reasons) and my top lip was sore for a long time. They had to remove a polyp the size of a golf ball so they went in through my upper lip into my sinuses. Then they broke my nose to fix my cartlidge. It sucked bad, Lots of packing in my nose to be removed. Most painful thing I ever went through. But I never had problems speaking afterwards.
Dawn

danica1234 · 06-19-2002, 03:35 PM

Like they said, it's definitely common or not unheard of anyway, to have breathing and speaking problems after rhinoplasty. My voice/speach wasn't impaired at all by the surgery, except it sounded like I had a cold for a couple weeks. Once I got the cast and stiches out, I was fine. As for breathing, I think that's the most uncomfortable part of the surgery. I could only breathe through my mouth, so I would wake up in the morning with a terribly dry mouth. There really isn't much pain associated with rhinoplasty. Relatively unpainful. I only had to take the pain medications the day of sugery and the following.. after that,, didn't need anything. DONT take any asprin for at least 2 weeks.. pre and post op.