I had may septoplasy surgery yesterday. I was operated on at 1pm and was home in my lazy boy by 3:30 pm. I was in some discomfort but no real pain. I was given Tylenol with codeine for the pain, but haven't really felt the need to use them much. Yesterday I was very sleepy post op and dozed on and off thru the evening. Sleeping last night was a challenges, sitting up and breathing thru my mouth. I used a neck pillow that you might use in a car or a plane and found it very helpful! I removed my packing this morning as directed and must admit I took 2 pain killers 1 hour prior to the removal. It was a little uncomfortable, and very gross but not nearly as bad as I expected. Today I feel ok, certainly not 100%, but fine looking after myself and making a simple meal (tea and soup). My nose is very clogged up and unit is still draining - blood on one side, and bloody mucus on the other IDE, but was warned that it was to be expected
I have read through most of these messages in the run up to my septoplasty / turbinoplasty and found them helpful / terrifying in equal measure – here’s my own (fairly textbook, non-terrifying) experience:
Basically had the op done due to a severely deviated septum from childhood, which was causing me uncomfortable pressure to one side of the face and an inability to breathe properly through my nose. I have BUPA coverage through my work (am based in the UK), so was able to get this done at a private hospital.
Operation I am told went fine (was out for the count under a general anesthetic), and I was discharged later the same day (you will definitely need someone to pick you up – public transport would have been out of the question!). I did not have splints put in – just some dissolvable packing on one side of the nose.
My first concern post-op was the shape of my nose – I had the impression that there was a kind of small “collapse” in the middle of the nose, but over the next few days I realised it was just swelling at the bulb of my nose that gave me that impression, and the shape hadn’t really changed at all.
I was surprised to find that I was not in pain at all after the op (was on co-codamol and ibuprofen), just significant discomfort – at no point ever approaching anywhere near “unbearable” stage though. For the first two days, it basically felt like having a cold straight out of the bowels of hell – massively stuffy, bunged up and congested, horribly fatigued, and with that annoying sense of permanently blocked ears, as on an aeroplane.
I also found it difficult to drink more than a sip at a time, or I would get the sensation of gagging on the mucus at the back of my throat – for this reason I felt constantly dehydrated, as I couldn’t get enough sips in to quench my thirst. I really found it helpful to have a stock of straws on hand – with the bandage on my face, it did make it a little easier to drink at least. Eating was also difficult for the first few days, which limited me to soft things like soup and porridge. I ate very little for the first few days, primarily because I didn’t have much sense of taste and smell at all, and therefore very little appetite or interest. This was actually the bit I found worst, and I was very relieved when they slowly started returning! Sleeping the first night was a nightmare too – despite the anesthetic, I really didn’t get any sleep at all, and struggled with the heavy mouth breathing and constant dryness as a result. I also found talking quite tiring and difficult, and struggled to articulate properly (especially d’s, n’s and t’s).
During this time, my dressing needed changing every couple of hours due to constant drip drip drip of blood and snot – I was desperate to blow it! Another thing is that the stitches / packing etc were clearly irritating my nose, and I kept feeling desperate to sneeze! My mum always told me to stifle a sneeze by saying “cabbages cabbages cabbages” over and over, which worked most of the time at least!
From day three, I finally started to feel more “human” again – the ooze from my nose turned more solid and gunky and I was able to remove the bandage; it became much easier (and tastier) to eat and drink in greater volume; my head became clearer and I found it easier to talk and sleep. I was also able to “work from home” during this time, though in total I spent 10 days out of the office (I could probably have gone in sooner though, if I hadn’t had the home-working option available to me – more than anything, it was just extreme weariness preventing me from going in at this stage).
By day four, I began to be able to breathe a little through my right nostril, and by day six a little through my right one (always the problem one pre-surgery, and also the one with the packing inside it). I was also able to stop taking pain killers at this stage.
Day 7 a surprise sneeze snuck up on me and unleashed holy bloody / snotty / scabby / packaging hell all across my bed – after a moment of initial panic, I realised I hadn’t actually hurt myself in the process, and in fact the sneeze had massively freed up my nose – I could breathe normally for the first time, well, ever!!!
After that things improved quickly, and another two weeks on and I am very glad I had it done – I can breathe better through my nose, and – now that I physically can - am working on ways to train myself to switch to proper nose-breathing rather than continue mouth-breathing out of habit.
Oh, and one final tip that I wished I’d known at an earlier stage, is that the painkiller I was on, co-codomal, pretty much stops you up in the toilet department – you may want to consider getting some laxatives prescribed alongside these.
Hi Anonymous,
Are you still reading this forum?
I am seven months post septoplasty, turbinoplasty and FESS, and I am having intermittent (although regular) pressure sensations around my nose and across my cheeks. I also have some pain / discomfort in these areas. My symptoms seem to be similar to yours.
Did you do anything to help heal, even though it took 13 months? I am told by my doctors that it will pass with time, but getting desperate and this was made worse by a pain specialist telling me that I will need to learn to accept that I might have this permanently. I would appreciate any advice.
Wow you went thru a lot! I just had my surgery done 2 days ago. I wore the pad under my nose for only 3 hours after I got home. No pain no bleeding after that either. I was able to walk and do everything on my own. I felt amazing. Told my husband to go out he didn't need to babysit me. Today the only thing that drives me crazy is not being able to blow my nose. have to wait to see the Dr. so he can suction my nose. But that is the only thing for me. I truly believe that its the Dr. You go to as to how you recover. My Friend had to have it done 3 times and it didn't work. She also looked like she was beat up after her surgery. But like I said, I would never have used the Dr. she went to. Sorry that yours was a longer recovery
Doesn't change shape of your nose. If your brave and want to have that fixed discuss with your Dr. All I wanted to do was clear my sinuses and straighten my septum. I'm chicken .......%-)
I had mine done may 23rd and it is now may 26th I noticed right the next day my nostril holes were rounder and the same as one another and my nose is straight and no bump also noticed more air coming in then I have ever had.
hi i had septoplasty and my cast for my nose was not centered properly so it looks a bit crooked , will this effect the way my nose looks after the week of the cast being on!
I had Septoplasty about 2 weeks ago, I also had coblation done on my palet as well...the pain of this was far greater than the nasal surgery. I also had nasal tip augmentation using cartlidge, so my nose looks a little straighter which I am pleased about...the only thing that is annoying is the congestion I seem to be experiencing mostly during the night and am still snoring and disturbing my poor hubby. I hope this stops or at least reduces as time goes on. They say I should expect total healing in about 2 months...but from what I am reading it could be longer..I guess because everything looks good from the outside it doesnt mean all is ok internally....
Are you still reading this thread?
Female. Age 50 Date of surgery: 6/26/13 Septoplasty and turbonite reduction, eliminated concha bullosa (air gap).
The primary reasons for the surgery was to improve my breathing (especially at night) and to eliminate migraine headaches. (1-3 headaches a month)
The one week after surgery was horrible. Splints were in my nose and it was uncomfortable, even painful, and I couldn't breath. Now it has been 2 weeks since the surgery, and I can BREATH clearly thru my nose. My sleep has improved 100% because I don't have my mouth open and drying out to breath. Wish I would have done it 20 years ago! The visual exterior of your nose will not matter as much as your ability to BREATH in cool air!! The surgery did make the exterior of my nose smaller and straighter. So much smaller, I was shocked and love it now! I have not had any more migraines!
I had my surgery in August of 2012 and I am miserable. I cannot breath right out of either side. It does not matter if I lay down or standing straight up. I am very depressed over this and I cannot sleep properly for a year now. I have asked my doctor on several occasions what is going on. He told me that he can see all the way to my throat and it is clear to him. I told him I CANNOT breath right. I feel like I am constantly gasp for air. I hear myself weez all day long. I have no moisture what so ever. I have constant drainage down my throat. These problems where not there before the surgery. My left sinus was constantly stopped up and I was told if I corrected the septum and had the turbinates resected that I would breath better 100 percent. I had turbinate surgery a few years before this one and I did not want them touched again. I was assured that it would not bother my sinuses the day of surgery. I did not even know until the day of surgery that he was even going to resect them. So the last 3 times I was in complaining of these issues I was told every time, he could not do anything for me. I was told to try allergy shots. Well it has been several weeks of allergy shots and I am not any better. He also told me that this was how GOD made me. I was thinking OK why is that even being brought up. I was a bit offended. Then I was also thinking why do doctors recommend CT scans of the sinus canal if this doctor can see clear to my through by just looking up my nose. I do not know what to do anymore. I am so depressed over this and sad all the time. I could cry non stop. I do not sneeze anymore, I have no natural moisture and all I want to do is sleep all day long. I have lost all energy because of this. Then I am told this is how God made me. Well I guess he changed me mid way through my life. Can any suggest anything for me? I wished I would have never did the surgery. I know that the surgery has removed the pressure and blockage on my left side but in turn has caused many more issued than before. Any help out there for me?
Did you do a sleep study? Sounds like sleep apnea to me.