Anyone have deviated septum surgery?

TedH71 · #1 05/26/10, 01:33 PM

Will be having one done tomorrow due to lots of health issues (sinus infections, allergies, hard to sleep on one side, etc) and the doctor told me 80% of the world population has it to some extent but in most cases, it does not affect their breathing. Said that in lots of cases, what people term as allergies or sinus infections actually are caused by deviated septums. Has anyone had this kind of surgery? I'm hoping it does help me feel better (after the recovery period, of course!). Basically what it means is that the inside of my nose is not straight so air has a hard time coming in and out of my nose and in itself, it creates health issues. Wasn't aware of this. Doctor said most people blame other things never thinking it is the deviated septum that is causing their problems.

Just Cliff · #2 05/26/10, 02:11 PM

I have had it twice. It's not so bad. It effected my breathing quite a bit and I didn't even realize it. It deviates over time and slowly cuts off you nasal passages. You will be amazed at how well you will be able to breath through your nose after the packing comes out..
Yes...Packing.. You will also be amazed how much storage room there is up your nose. LOL They will more than likely pack each side with a cotton type gauze. It kinda hurts when they pull it out but your Dr. will probably numb you up with some Hurricane spray.

I had to have splints the last time. The soft plastic splints were placed up my nose on both sides then sewn together through the septum. and then anchored into my check/lip area under the skin with what can only be called rope. (last one was pretty invasive. they basically had to undo my nose from my face and put it back on. BONUS! My nose is an 1/8th inch shorter! Thats a good thing

)

You will probably have to sleep sitting up for a week or so. Find a comfortable chair. Make sure it is cool or you can get somewhere cool. Some people freak a bit from breathing through their mouth and the cold air helps. Have some Q-tips handy in the bathroom. It is nice to have them when you try to wash off some of the crud around your nasal passages. Warm water is a plus when doing that. Oh and some vasaline to keep you nasal passages moist up to the packing. It can get irritating if it dries out.
If you smoke. try to do it when someone else is right there with you. You will be on pain killers. You wouldnt want to fall asleep with a cigarette and burn the hell out of yourself or the really comfortable chair that cost you $700.00 only a few months before...... Yup..sure did...Not good..
About the only thing else I can say is watch the first inhaled breath through your cleared nose when he tells you to breath deep. It burnes a bit but its a good burn. You will be able to breath!!!
I was a bit worried both times I had it done. Yet.. I would do it again if necessary. People take for granted the ability to breath well.

I wish you the best. Let us know how your doing!

fishhead · #3 05/26/10, 03:48 PM

I had it done in the late 70's. It didn't help my breathing much but there are different amounts of deviation in people.

Since then I've had 3 turbinate somnoplasties (hot wire in the turbinate to create scar tissue) and 1 turbinate debulking (they hollow out the turbinate to make is smaller). The somnos helped but the debulking is what really made it possible for me to breathe through my nose for the first time.

Tricky Grama · #4 05/26/10, 05:15 PM

Not had it but taken care of many who did & all did well.

Patty

FoghornLeghorn · #5 05/26/10, 05:26 PM

Hubby had it done a number of years ago (before we met and that was about 18 years ago) and he said that if he had known what it was going to be like he wouldn't have done it. Said that it felt like they took his nose and wrapped it around his head (his words). The first surgery didn't help all that much and when the doctor suggested a second surgery hubby was ready to reach out and touch someone....hard.

RedSonja · #6 05/26/10, 06:29 PM

I had it done years ago, before they had laser surgery. Heard laser makes recovery much easier. I had splints in the nose, cotton packing, the whole bit. It helped immensely. I had sinus infections on a monthly basis before that. Afterward it was once a year or so.

-Sonja

**highlands** · #7 05/26/10, 08:14 PM

I have a deviated septum, probably from getting my nose broken repeatedly, but it has never seemed worth going under the knife for it to me. Mine is a bother but no more. If you're having a lot of trouble though then get it fixed. If mine were a little worse I would only breath through one nostril. Bother that.

65284 · #8 05/26/10, 08:38 PM

Yeah, a couple, both done by Dr. Fourknuckles. Back when I was young and foolish and was talking when I should have been listening.

Merit · #9 05/26/10, 10:29 PM

Had it in the early 90's. Packing.... like having a major head cold. And when they pull it out..and PULL AND PULL AND PULL! You're thinking, HOW did they fit all that up in there?!?!?! Surgery itself was fine. The only misery was the misery of the packing...the misery of having a major head cold for a couple of days. Then, as mentioned, when you take that first breath in and you think, "WOW! I'm BREATHING!!!" (deviated septum and cauterized turbanites) A very minor surgery with very nice benefits reaped.

deb · #10 05/26/10, 10:46 PM

I had my nose broken during PE in college. The university hospital said it was "good enough" so I lived with it even though I couldn't breath out of one nostril. I got it fixed 20 years later and it was amazing how much more air I could inhale. WOW.

It will hurt afterward. I slept on the couch with lots of pillows to keep my head up. I was not allowed to bend over for 2 weeks because the pressure of bending over could cause a severe nose bleed. DH tied my shoes and folks at work helped me as needed.

deb
in wi

Cindy in NY · #11 05/27/10, 07:46 AM

I was having constant sinus infections before I had mine done about 22 years ago. As others have said, the only bad part was the packing. You have to breath through your mouth for about a week.

Just Cliff · #12 05/31/10, 04:36 AM

So..How did it go Ted?

TedH71 · #13 05/31/10, 04:04 PM

Slowly

my balance is off due to sinus pressures in my nose as it heals. It's day 4. The surgery itself was successful and I didn't really hurt until much later. Loritab is my friend in days that it does hurt. Am I breathing through my nose? No, not yet but it's healing and I can feel the difference. The dissolving stitches is a pain when they dissolve and come outta your nose. Will wait a week or two to see if it's any better. I can honestly say that I'm breathing through my mouth at present time.

Just Cliff · #14 06/12/10, 10:23 PM

Well it's been a couple of weeks. Was just wondering how you were making out?

TedH71 · #15 06/13/10, 06:19 PM

Am breathing a bit better now but when it starts raining or about to, I have the world's worst sinus pressure in my nose cavities and teeth. Wonder what winter will be like.

FarmerRob · #16 06/14/10, 12:34 AM

I'm late getting to the thread...but I had my septum un-deviated and my sinues augered out at the same time about 8 years ago. The worst part of the recovery was the first time I sneezed. OH MAMA THAT HURT!!!! That kind of paid totally ignored the narcotics.

On the more positive side, I had suffered through only being able to breathe through one nostril at a time for 30 years, and it would usually be half closed. From the time I healed up, I have been able to breathe through both nostrils every day. For some reason I sneeze a couple of times (usually just a dry run,) every day. Not a bother though, as it just reminds me of how great it is to be able to breathe normally.