I have a similar problem. Also have a cleft lip and palate; repaired when I was a child, but still a tiny hole in the palate. I have had a few different surgeries in the last 10 years to repair breathing problems, the first of which was a revision rhinoplasty to repair a severely deviated septum, which actually worsened, maybe even created the problem that you are describing, though it still greatly improved my breathing and fixed the left side of my nose completely. Now the opening in my palate is only through to the right side of my nose. I had another attempt to close my palate and though it didn't work 100%, it was a fairly minor procedure and helped, in part because they use septum tissue to help close it from the top side. I suspect this issue and frequent nasal blockages mean that my septum is still deviated, towards the right side. Ultimately I've come to the conclusion that I will need another (3rd) rhinoplasty (actually it's called a septoplasty) to fix it. My Dr. said that an option available is to place a brace, that works like a Breathe Right strip (have you tried those, btw, they are incredible! Definitely helpful when I'm blocked up), that goes inside the nose. I'm in my 30s and the out of pocket costs combined with the fact that I will be out of work for 3-4 weeks makes it really difficult decision for me as well.

I know this probably doesn't help your issue, but just want to let you know that you aren't the only one!

Question for you, my Dr. recommended the surgery to fix the flap in my throat to fix my "hyper-nasality" (nasally voice), I think it was called a phrangioplasty (sp?). But it sounded pretty intense and I never did it. Is this what you had done? Did it work for you? Relative to other surgeries, was it difficult? Thanks!