Dr. Sam Lam Plastic Surgery Forum

Hello Dr. Lam,
in September of '06 i had a rhinoplasty procedure done because the nose was too big and slightly limped to the left of the face.A few months after the procedure i started to see that the nose started to limp to the same side again and i can barely breathe through the right nostril because the cartilage that divides the nostrils is still crooked.I went back to my surgeon and told about it but he said that it was fine.Even today almost 2 years after the procedure i still feel the same way and even worse i see that my facial appearence under the sunlight is really awkward looking,it's like my entire bottom portion of the nose collapsed.
Is it possible to increase the size of the nose slightly to help me with my breathing and soften the facial features a little bit?
Thank-you very much for your time.

several things:
1. if you have natural asymmetry, a rhinoplasty sometimes can improve it, sometimes not. it is important to establish realistic expectations.
2. if you have a deviated septum that extends all the way to the bottom of the nose, which is causing the nasal obstruction, that is very hard to fix entirely. the septum can be straightened except the last 1.5 cm where it needs to be realigned. even in my hands, that is very very hard to fix entirely. if that is what you are experiencing, then correction is difficult. if it is something else, then it is possible to fix it more easily.
3. in general, problem with a nose is very specific to that nose. i would have to see the outside and evaluate the inside to see what the problem is.
best,
sml

Hello Dr. Lam,
thank-you for the quick reply and i don't want to bother you any further,but i just wanted to ask if i could send you some pics or should i make an appointment to see you?Thanks again for everything.

obviously, the best is for you to see me in person. photos really do not do justice to what is going on, especially with functional (breathing) issues.
best,
sml