Question
on tuesday, i had rhinoplasty, septoplasty, turbinate reduction and polyps removed from my maxillary and frontal sinuses. I was told i would be mouth breathing for a couple of days and then "stuffy" for a couple of weeks, I can't get any air whatsoever through, i'm doing nasal irrigations, icing, etc, but it feels like my nasal passage is cemented shut. i went to the doctor yesterday and he was like "just give it a couple of more days", is this normal to be so shut? The swelling is almost non-existent now on the outside, and almost no bruising at this point, so i would think the inside should be starting to go down some. I do have splints and a cast on top, but was told the cast doesn't really stop air from going in, is this true?I had my turbinates done about 9 years ago and was breathing fine in a couple of days, so this has me really freaked out. Anyone have any idea how long before i get some air???

Answer
Hi Dizzydude

Do you have internal splints also? When I had my internal splints removed the inside of my nose was extremely swollen and it was a few more days after that before the swelling started to go down enough to where I could stop breathing only out of my mouth. I would "give it a couple more days" like your Doc said. I know it seems like forever, it's a test of patience for sure.
Good Luck

Answer
yes, i have internal spints still, i had the outer shell removed this morning, the nurse removed some of the packing for me, for about an hour i could breathe descent, then don't know if more swelling closed the holes or if packing fell into them, i spoke with her on the phone a few minutes ago and she said she would remove more later in the week if necessary, but the doctor wanted to keep my sinuses packed for the two full weeks if possible. I didn't know they had done this, i was supposed to just receive a nice dissolvable packing that would be gone in a few days, but apparently there was alot of bleeding so they had to use a caulk like material which is harder to dissolve. She mentioned it should all come out when the internal splints are removed next monday, i hope i can make it until then.... i noticed in one of your posts, you mentioned you are still stuffy, is it constant, are there times when you sit back and are just like "ahhh i can breathe like before the surgery" or have you not made it there yet, are you sleeping well yet, with being stuffy, can you at least taste food? thanks...

Answer
Once all your internal packing is removed, it will get ALOT better for you.
hang in there. You can make it till next Monday. I am not stuffy anymore at all. I am sleeping all through the night too. Tasting food for the first time was absolutely wonderful. I remember while I couldn't taste, my mother brought me over roast beef and mashed potatos and she asks me "is it good?" and I was so disgusted, I said "I might as well eat crap, I can't taste the difference." So...after next week you'll be able to breathe alot better and not long afterwards it will be all back to normal. The time really drags though, doesn't it? I'll be thinking about you.
Let me know how you're doing!