implants and the amount they shrink over time
Dr. Houser.... How much do nasal implants actually shrink over a period of time. I have read it is anywhere between 10 and 50 percent. Is there a more accurate figure? js

Implants to the septum and into the turbinate tend to remain stable for years. Minimal resorption there once the area is healed. 10% may be accurate It appears to resorb to a variable degree when placed against bone. between 10 to 50% is probably accurate for this interface.

Dr. Houser... I have multiple allergies but I am wonder if many of the treatments for ens actually work against the treatment for my allergies. It seems like a catch 22. Also, what is your experience with patients whose symptoms seems to fluctuate drastically from day to day as it pertains to the alloderm. I know I have ENS but there are times when my nose feels somewhat normal. Is this a problem when you are deciding to offer implants. I guess if my symptoms do fluctuate, this means I still have some good tissue left? Just a theory. js

The inflammation of allergic rhinitis would seemingly offset tissue resection and possibly lead to improvement, but this has not borne out as well as a cold inducing inflammation, for example. Perhaps you are the exception though, and you feel normal at times as your allergy inflammation sufficiently overcomes the tissue resection. Narrowing the nose might worsen allergy symptoms - need to balance which is worse.

This is a real dilema for me doc because once summer roles around I will feel better. At times, I get these weird, isolated headaches that go from my sinus and wraps around my left eye, when that side is wide open. Do you think alloderm implants would bring back headaches? This was a problem for me before the surgery. Also, how exactly do you think it will make my allergy symptoms worse. As I think about it, I am glad my appointment with you is in the summer as it may prove to be a better gage of how much implant would be sufficient? js

I would not suspect an implant would cause headaches. It could seemingly worsen allergies if we narrowed your airway (i.e., towards a normal size) and then you have significant allergic inflammation which then causes you to feel too blocked up In practice this has not seemed to occur, but it is a possibility I suppose.

I have always had PND but since the surgeries the secretions seem to run out the front of my nose more often and at times, it is hard to control. I suppose implants would help this? js

I would suspect yes - the ability to retain moisture is necessay for proper ciliary function. Implants allow more normal moisture levels.

and heat.

Dr. Houser.... I had my right inferior turbinate resected on July 20th and it felt really good on that side until January. That is when I really began to have a hard time sleeping and my right ear began to ache. It has not been a year yet so do you think there is still time for improvement? I know as a rule you typically do not offer implants until a year has passed. I will be seeing you in June which is short of a year. js

11 mon should be fine for discussion of an implant 1 yr is a rough guide when people post on here 2 weeks after their surgery I ask them to heal...

Many have stated that their implants have helped their voice but could they also make it worse? For example, would one's voice sound like they are stuffed up? js

if significantly over-corrected the voice could sound stuffy. I have yet to see this develop.

I currently have a cold and feel like I am breathing much better. However, I do feel stuffy or blocked at times because of inflammation on my left side. Do you take this into consideration when putting in implants? Also, why do people with ENS breath much better with colds but still sound stuffed up? I still feel congestion by my ethoid sinuses and upper nose which I assume is causing this. js

You are asking some fine points that I cannot really answer without an exam