Lisa
you breathe through the trach, initially after surgery it is the only way you can breathe, quite often. I found that for at least a week post surgery, I couldn't get any air through my mouth and nose due to the swelling.

After a week they changed out the trach and put in one that had a variable sized cannula. This served to gradually restrict the airflow through the trach, and reduce dependency on it.

After a couple of days I was able to draw as much breath through my nose as through the trach. They removed it the next day.

As a point of interest, the trach opening is not sutured. It seals and heals closed very quickly. I had to wear an adhesive seal over it for a few days while the healing commenced, and within a week, it was completely closed over
Wayne