Deviated Septum Surgery

I had my surgery done almost a week ago. The surgery took almost three hours because I had a double deviated septum, 3 cysts that needed to be removed, and the surgeon needed to rebuild the bottom section of my nose. The long surgery was a walk in the park, I woke up and basically was out the door. The recovery hasn't as bad as suspected. Tip: Take the pain med as recommended at least for the first 24hours. After this you will start to feel discomfort, NOT pain, just discomfort of the packing. Your face will be swollen, it may possibly even bruise a bit (Mine did not). If you sit up (rather than lying down) your eyes will constantly water and you will have a migraine. It will stay this way until you have the packing removed. After my surgery, I had to keep the packing in for FOUR long days!!! The day the packing came out was by far the most amount of pain I've ever felt in my life!!! Getting the packing removed feels like your brain is being pulled out of your nose! Then the doctor must suction out the blood clots (MAKE SURE YOU ARE COMPLETELY NUMB BEFORE THEY DO THIS PART!!! I was not, and it HURT LIKE HELL!!!) As of the current moment I still have the splints left in. These needed to stay in for an additional four days after the packing was removed. I was told it is to prevent scabbing and infections on the septum.

So to sum things up....The surgery wasn't so bad. Getting the packing removed is the worse thing a person could ever have to go through in my opinion. I was told the splints wont hurt as bad to be removed, but I'm not so trusting about that. I can breath much much better through one side of my nose. The other is blocked up with drainage still (yeah i know GROSS!)

I had my surgery on the 18th august 09.My septum had a triple twist was in surgery for four hours felt ok when i woke up had some morphine for the pain,Got the packing out the next morning the nurse put water up both nostrils then pulled them out not very nice.When i got home my face was twice the size it should be not much bruising on the eyes.Next morning my lip was really big and my teeth really hurt phoned hospital they said they had to take my septum out through my lip,The best thing to sort this out was ice,Felt so good on my face!!!Had my stiches out on the 25th wasnt to bad made my eyes water.Went back on the 1st sept to get the plaster off my face and the splints out not to bad.Had a look real improvement but my nose hadnt set on the right side so had to get it massaged into place hurt abit then had and another plaster on keeping it on for another week getting a bit sick of being in the house.Going back on the 8th sept hope all is well so i can get back to work.I recommend getting lots of soup,jelly and anything soft to eat and when you sleep try to sit up.x

i had a septoplasty a and a rhinoplasty at the same time on it has been nine days since my surgery. the pain was not bad my only complications are that i cant breath through my left nostril which is funny because i had surgery because i couldn't breath through my left nostril. i am also light headed all day long and get very dizzy easily. my doctor keeps saying is normal but i have no relief. i wonder what was worse living with a broken nose and deviated septum or being dizzy all day.

I had this same surgery done about 8 years ago, and no they don't break your nose but I had the packing in their and it is very long and packed way up there this is true, and when they pull it out it does hurt a bit they don't really prepare ya for how bad it feels I felt like my brain was getting pulled out at the time. Other than that part it really doesn't hurt at all and I am so glad I did mine because even though I still get allergies I clear up much easier and I haven't gotten sinusitus since the surgery so I would reccomend it to anyone.

I just had Deviated Septum Surgery on Friday, it is now Tuesday. I am finally starting to feel a little better today, but my throat is sore. I think it is from doing lots of sleeping, breathing through my mouth. I had a pretty rough time in recovery after the 1.5 hour procedure. I was in a lot of pain, mainly in my nose and my head. I felt alot of pressure on my teeth and pretty much my whole face. I was slightly nauseous. The pain was throbbing in my nose. The nurses seemed to be able to get me comfortable for 10 mins at a time, then the pain would come flooding back. They have me pain meds through IV 6 times before they gave up and tried to give me pain meds orally, which they said would last longer than 10 mins. But this oral pain meds didn't work at all, and I was very uncomfortable and mad that the nurses couldn't just give me more of the stuff that worked. I was still in recovery by 6 pm, surgery was at 10 am, I made many attempts to try to get up to get dressed to leave, because I really wanted to go home. Every time I thought I could get up, I was super dizzy and the nausea came back. My boyfriend was there, thank god, because I was getting more and more upset wanting to go home, and I just couldn't. The nurses tried to get me to stay the night, saying that I would not be able to function at home, but finally after about another hour, I had a slight feeling of wellness, and got up right away, i knew I had to hurry in case I was going to feel sick again. I got dressed, the boyfriend got the car and the nurse wheeled me out, and I was on my way home !! The drive home was pretty good, he dropped me off and got me comfortable in bed and went to get my prescriptions. The gauze packing was really annoying and didn't really start to drive me crazy until Sunday. I started feeling air movements and girgles.....and I was going crazy. I got the main packing out yesterday, which was pretty uncomfortable, I would breathe for a second then my nose got all stuffy again. I have to go back in 10 days to get the splints and stitches out. I have started using the saline nasal rinse in the shower...I must say, that I really don't like it.
Not looking forward to having the rest taken out, but I guess it is all the process of being able to breathe through my nose.
So, I can tell you that it is painfull and uncomfortable, and the recovery is a little rough, because even if you are feeling better at home, as soon as you start to get ready to go out, you'll realize that you are weak and tired and you need more time.
Good luck with your surgery.

I'm 8 days into recovery from my surgery. I have the splints removed tomorrow at 2:00. It has been a long 8 days. After the surgery, while in recovery, the nausea was terrible. Mainly due to the blood that had drained into my stomach. Once I got rid of that I was okay. I actually felt good the night after surgery, and started to feel worse as the healing progressed. As long as I take pain pills every 4-6 hours I'm okay. Once they wear off, my nose and upper teeth throb. My nose is so sore, it hurts to wash my face. I feel like I have hockey sticks shoved up my nose, which pull my nose up in a pig-like fashion. Luckily my husband had the surgery years ago, so he's understanding of my lack of vanity right now. Having to sleep upright, congestion, and breathing through your mouth, has been the biggest issue. I wake every few hours with a dry throat, and a head full of snot, which I can't blow out. I seem to get more congested after the nasal rinse. Am I ever going to stop spitting up blood? A helpful hint. The pain pills may cause constipation and a cold mist humidifier helps with throat dryness. The lack of being able to smell and taste has decreased my appetite. On a positive note, being able to breath will be worth it in the end.

I'm the one who posted on 12/21 that was 8 days into the surgery. I had the splints removed today. I feel great. The Dr. scolded me for not using the saline rinse enough, which had caused a lot of congestion and dried material. There is still some mild soreness due to the healing process, but no pain meds required. A few tylenol will work. The ability to breath out of both nostrils was worth the 8 days of misery.

I know this is an older post, but I thought that I would throw my 2 cents in. I have had a deviated septum all my life. Finally at the age of 27, I decided to do something about it. I had the surgery on Monday of last week 12/28/2009. This was an outpatient surgery. I went into the facility at 6:30 in the morning and I was prepped and ready for the procedure by 7:30 when the Dr. strolled in. An IV was inserted into my arm and anesthesia was introduce right before they carted me to the Operating Room. I was knocked out prior to entering the Operating Room and I woke after the procedure was completed about 1 1/2 hours later. I woke up because my body was telling me that I needed to urinate. I was groggy for about 2 minutes but everything started to come to very quickly. I did not have any packing in my nose at all, instead a splint was used on the exterior of my nose to keep the nostrils spread open. I did have a gauze pad beneath my nose to absorb the blood since the surgery was fresh. I had a very small incision across the bottom of the central part of my nostrils. Biodegradable stitches were used and have already started to disappear. I needed the gauze pad for only 2 days (Day of procedure and next day). I was out and about in the community the day after the procedure as I really did not want to stay in the house all day. Anyhow, I had the splint removed yesterday and I can definitely breathe much better than I ever had before. My nose is still a little swollen, but that will subside over the course of the next full weeks, but I am told that it can take up to 1 year for it to completely subside, but I can tell you that it has already subsided quite a bit and is barely noticeable. I am looking forward to the interior portion of the nostrils being a little less swollen to see how much more airflow than what I have currently there will be. All in all it was a painless procedure and I am incredibly happy that I decided to have this work done. I would recommend this procedure for anyone with the slightest difficulty in breathing through their nose.

Oh yeah, I didn't even have the black eyes that most people get...! The trick is to have a Dr. that has had an excellent track record perform the procedure. I would suggest doing your do diligence in researching the history of the Dr, and their patients before you commit to anything.

I hope this has helped any person that is on the fence with the procedure, I couldn't be any happier!

I had the Surgery two years ago and had no pain whatsoever. I woke up after the procedure and felt great. My doctor explained that what was believed to be a deviated septum was actually a nasal passage that never fully formed so they had alittle more work in there then they thought. I had no packing and no splints. They gave me pain pills but I never took a single one Flushed them instead. I was 44 and a very active cyclist at the time this was the best move I ever could have made what a difference it has made in my life. Yes you will spit blood and see it in the back of your throat but this is normal. I would shop around for a doctor who is confident in his work and uses no splints or packing. Don't wait get this done Gone will be the days of waking up gasping for air because your sleeping on the only side of your nose that you can breath through.

How much did you have to pay out of pocket for both procedures done at the same time after insurance paid? I know insurance will pretty much cover the septoplasty, and I think there is a way the doctor can get some of the rhino added in there to be covered. I am considering doing the exact same thing with the septoplasty and rhinoplasty. Has anyone else had both procedures done at the same time and if so...what was your out of pocket expense? Thank you!

I am scheduled to have deviated septum surgery and my tonsils and adnoinds removed on Tuesday of next week and after reading these post I have no clue what to think. Im thinking that I should have them done seperatly but my doctor doesnt recomend it due to being put out. Im so nervous. Has anyone had both done at the same time?

Hi I had the surgery carried out on 29 1 2010 of a gross deviated spectrum and a sub mucous membrane and a cyst being removed.I have been really ill for 2 years with face pain, dizzyness ,nothing coming out of my nose and my hearing going.When my surgeon told me i had no oxygen in my face and this was causing problems with my breathing into my lungs i knew i didnt have a choice.
I had the surgery but now have an infection which really hurts but i believe in time it will get better, so my advice is to believe in your surgeon they know what they are doing and remember that in time i am sure that you will benefit from having the operation.
Good luck and dont worry.

I had septoplasty done 5 days ago and it has been hell. Initial problem is that there is really no one to talk to when there is an issue... other than going into emerg. When I got out of the hospital, I seemed to have some kind of reaction to the Tylenol 2 (codein), and my blood pressure started going up. I went from 133/84 to 196/108 in 2 minutes. Called the parametics and they told me it was anxiety. Luckily my mom had some anti-anxiety stuff and it helped although only temporarily. Problem was, every time the blood pressure went up, my nose started to bleed again. This went on for 3 days. BP has been normal now for 2 days. Now I have a cold. I still can't breathe and I'm really stuffed up, and any kind of sleeping is impossible. What can I do? I finally got a hold of the Surgeon in between surgeries (his office is closed most of the time), and he said use more saline irrigation. That's not doing much. What can I do? I'm really at my wits end. This blockage is insane. Can I use the over the counter decongestant? A nurse discouraged it. Steroid sprays you need a script from the physician (see below)

(on a side note, our Canadian health care system is great most of the time, but it has some flaws, one that I'm seeing right now). I won't be in to see the surgeon for 4 weeks, I can't get in to my general practitioner for 1-1/2 weeks, so I'm left to search the internet.

I am currently recovering from a septomplasty. I had the procedure done on Monday and today is Friday evening. My ENT doc informed me that they have not used packing for this procedure in over 10 years and just now use splints. I'm not going to lie it is beyond UNCOMFORTABLE. I have been on Norco and antibiotics and the discomfort has not subsided. My nose runs and bleeds constantly forcing me to wear a mustache dressing. The splints feel the worse making it painful to sniff or even wipe your nose. It feels like you have two small sticks shoved up your nose and you have to leave them there for a week and you are so stuffed up its like having the worst head cold of your life. The best thing I can recommend is to stay drugged up so you can sleep to pass the time quickly. I took the entire week off work and am contemplating taking Monday off as I am not getting my splints removed until Tuesday. I have had chronic sinus problems forever; I have never been able to breathe through my nose clearly and can't wait til the splints are removed and my sinuses are healed. Definitely very very uncomfortable but worth it to breathe better. I will check in after all healed up to report if this was a success or not.

I just got septomplasy, and it was the worst experience of my life, after the recovery room, i got into the car and i started bleeding from my left eye, so we immediatly rushed back, and they said they accidently cut something in my nose, so i got 3 more surgeries and here i am, coughping up chunks of coagulated blood. FUN, dont reccomend this!