trouble breathing after surgery
Hello, I had bilateral inferior turbinate and deviated septum surgery about one month ago. I started having trouble breathing (it felt like I had to strain to get air into my lungs). When I had a follow-up with my doctor, he removed a lot of crusting, and my breathing felt better. Subsequent follow-ups removed more crusting, and sometimes I felt better, but the breathing difficulty has come back now even after more crust removal. I am a concerned though, because he said he's done this hundreds of times and he never came across someone with my breathing symptoms. My doctor said he is very conservative and only removed 4mm from the inferior turbinates (from the front part of the turbinates toward the nasal cavity opening). My question is this enough to disrupt the laminar airflow and respiratory rate? Have you ever come across someone experiencing such breathing difficulties with that much turbinate removed?

It is too early to make any ENS label, but yes - some develop ens with minimal resection

Thank you doctor. One other question - As far as I can tell I have no other symptoms of ENS. My nose does not feel particularly dry, the air does not feel cold, and I do not have the "empty" feeling that is so often associated with ENS. I have only this breathing issue. Would this be more inclined to be a result of the extensive crusting expected post-surgery or would this be more inclined to be the onset of ENS? I know it's relatively soon after surgery, but I was not told this breathing issue would be part of the "normal" healing process. Thanks again.

cannot say without an exam you should inquire as to your doc's exam