BRulis wrote:

Okay, so I'm four days out from a septoplasty and rhinoplasty to correst trauma from a baseball accident 10 years ago. I went in yesterday to get the packing removed, which made a world of difference! The doctor suctioned out my nose and I couldn't believe it, but I could breathe! However, today I feel all stuffy again and am not able to breathe out of one side of my nose. Is this common and just due to the swelling? The doctor said everything went great, I guess I'm just nervous. How long before you found you were able to breathe?

Quote:

Hi. I had the surgery done a month ago. Septoplasty turbine reduction and sinus surgery, It feels good when the doc suctions out your nose but the stuffiness does come back fairly soon. The first visit doc took out the plastic splints sewed in and did the suction. Do you have plastic spacers still in    My doc removed them second visit and suctioned out the nose again. Congestion doc said would be there until after second post op due to inflammation dried mucous and the spacers still in. . I had a little stuffiness even after the second visit but it did go away. It does get better for sure by third week.

I was diagnosed w/ a deviated septum about a yr ago - which was 6 months after finding out I have severe obstructive sleep anpea.

I've always dealt w/ sinus infections, migraines, sleepless nights, constantly tired.
Now I'm really wondering if having my deviated septum fixed would really help.

I was told by my allergist that it was really bad and for the most part I'm only able to breathe out of one side, but even sometimes that's been really blocked.  He explained to me that because of my allergies I would need to take a pill a day for 8 months out of the yr and that's no guarantee that it would improve alot.  

Any suggestions?
 
I'm wondering what happens since I prob won't be able to use the machine for at least that day or longer.  I'm really worried about falling asleep w/out it

Thanks for the help

So I spoke w/ the insurance company this morning about covereage for a deviated septum because I have severe obstructive sleep apnea.  They said they still may consider it cosmetic surgery and not cover it??????

How can that be???  If I have two doctors saying that I can barely breathe and even the CPAP isn't working to it's fullest because of this - how can it be cosmetic?    

Has anyone had this and a nose job at the same time|

On December 16th I had a Septoplasty, or corrective nasal surgery for my deviated septum. It was not a plastic surgery, and hasn’t changed my appearance at all. Ever since I can remember I haven’t been able to breath through my nose well, though this was partially due to my many childhood allergies. At any rate, I recently read about the numerous long-term effects of not breathing through your nose. Breathing through your mouth most of the time actually weakens your heart, among other things!

So, after a little online research I concluded that I probably had a deviated septum, as my nose is a bit twisted to the right. I found an ear, nose and throat clinic in Yokohama that performs the surgery with only an overnight hospitalization, while most hospitals in Japan require a week of hospitalization for the procedure. I visited the hospital, and found that I did indeed have a deviated septum, and the doctor recommended corrective surgery. He said that my current sense of smell was about half that of a normal person, and that this surgery would restore my smell and thus allow me to taste better!

That was back in September. This is a popular clinic, and I had to wait a few months to have surgery. The upside is that with the national health insurance in Japan, it is unbelievably cheap. This surgery, which can cost $3,000 or more in the States, was only 27,500 Yen, or about $250!! (When will the States catch up to the rest of the developed world and provide national health insurance?)

The surgery itself was possibly the most physically horrifying thing I’ve ever experienced. Luckily, I was not warned, and went into it without detailed knowledge of the procedure. First, they placed gauze soaked in anesthetic up my nose, which they left in for 30 minutes or so. I was also given a muscle-relaxant shot in my shoulder beforehand. When the actual surgery began they inserted an IV, which was surprisingly painful, and then gave me four injections of local anesthetic directly into my already gauze-numbed nose.

The doctor placed a sheet of thin plastic over my head leaving a hole for my hose and mouth and then began. At first it was relatively tame, as I could feel him opening up my left nostril and probing around deeper. As the surgery progressed, the muscle force that the doctor was exerting became more and more intense, and at the climax he was literally hammering into my nose with a small hammer and chisel. I could hear and feel the bone in my nose cracking and snapping off. It didn’t hurt per say, but I could feel it!

Just when I thought it was getting unbearable, they announced that it was over. I was carted back into my room where I lay waiting as the anesthetic began to wear off. I noticed that my doctor was sweating as much as I was. (Of course I was sweating from terror, and him from physical exertion.)

They told me that I was a difficult case because the part of my septum that was twisted was two centimeters farther back than most Japanese. They had to go a full five centimeters back into my nose and re?ove a large amount of bone and cartilage.

Now it’s half a week after the surgery, but I haven’t yet experienced the joy of normal nose breathing, because the left nostril that was operated on is totally plugged up with mucus and clotted blood. I’m not allowed to blow my nose, drink liquor, or eat spicy food for another week, so I’ll have to wait until the morning of the 25th when I go in for my next checkup. Then the doctor will presumably suck the obstruction out of my left nostril, allowing me to finally test out my new nose.

I had Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction in 2000 after having a sleep study that revealed that I had a mild form of sleep apnea.  The OSA was not covered by insurance companies at that time because my AHI was 14.6.  In early 2000, the AHI had to be a 15 or higher to be covered under insurance (thank God the threshold is an AHI of 5 now), so my doctor advised me that I needed the surgery regardless.  I had 95% blockage in the left and about 70-80% blockage in the right.  He stated that even if I had a CPAP, I wouldn't be able to breathe right.

So, I had the surgery and #1--I couldn't believe that splints 6-8 inches long and about half inch wide and a half inch thick could fit into the nostrils like that!  But they did!  #2)  I NEVER knew what it was to breathe properly until they came out!

There is a nasal emolient that I was prescribed then and I still use it from time to time.  It's called Ponaris Oil.  It's sort of like a nasal expectorant for the crusty stuff during the healing process.  Irrigate with the saline solution and then a couple drops of Ponaris Oil in each nostril for about 15 seconds and that clears everything out and opens everything up.

Hey Sleepy Dwarf, politely remind your insurance company that deviated septums are BLOCKAGES and therefore are covered under most policies.  Also remind them that Septoplasty (correction internally of a deviated septum) is not Rhinoplasty (external cosmetic reshaping of the nose).  They cannot change the legal definition of the procedures, but they can decide whether or not it will be covered.

I actually had a bit of rhinoplasty done while the septoplasty was being done.  The surgeon saw that I had no cartilage for the underside bridge of my nose.  He reshaped some of the cartilage he took out of my septum and put it in as a bridge for my nose.  He told me though that I did have rhinoplasty, but there was nothing cosmetic about it.  It was merely support for the underside of my nose which I was told would begin to sag in the coming years and contribute more to my sleep apnea.


_________________
Sleep Well and Prosper!!!

Marcopolo

ResMed S8 Vantage APAP w/ Humidaire 3i
ResMed Swift LT
12-16 cmH2O

Boy! This place is amazing for information.  I only started looking around here the other day, and already have more information than I imagined.

I go to the otolaryngologist this afternoon.  I have a question for anyone here.  I was told years ago I have a deviated septum; however, even though my nose is ALWAYS blocked on one side...it is not always the SAME side.  This is true whether or not I am sitting standing or flat in bed.  Does anyone know why it changes all the time?  If I lie down, the side toward the bed is blocked. When I sit or stand the side impacted is random.  Never, I mean never, are both nostrils open at once.  I do not have allergies.  I do have severe OSA.

I am so glad to hear all this information about the surgery experiences.  I used to work as a surgical tech on these procedures and thus have avoided getting anything done for years. I used to be one of the folks tapping on the chisels. I look forward to the relief though...and a true diagnosis of what is going on in there!  

Hi, I've been enjoying reading about your experiences. I just had a surgery for my deviated septum 6 days ago. I was so tired of the sinus infections, stuffed up feeling, and breathing through my mouth most of the time. I was actually relieved when my CAT scan showed that my septum was severely deviated. I thought, maybe it's not my fault that I keep getting sick! I had been changing my diet, eliminating dairy, wheat, and sugar, just so I could breathe better, but I still got the sinus infections. During the surgey I didn't feel a thing, and it didn't hurt until the anesthesia wore off. Then the blood poured out for hours, and my poor sister got scared and kept having to change my bandages. I joked with my family that removing the nasal packing was like giving birth-- I couldn't believe it fit in my nose! Then my mom called me Charlie Chaplin for a few days because my nose was so big and round. Today I got the splints taken out, which was uncomfortable, but nothing compared to the packing. I still am bleeding a little and feeling pretty stuffed up and sore. The doctor said my nose looked fabulous though! I had to wear the bandages longer than the typical patient because of the bleeding and drainage. (My mom said my red-headed complexion is cause for more bleeding!) With the help of nice nurses and doctors, my family, and of course, the Vicoden, I feel like I'm on the road to recovery. I'm so glad I got this done. Think I gotta go take a nap now!

Hi, I've been enjoying reading about your experiences. I just had a surgery for my deviated septum 6 days ago. I was so tired of the sinus infections, stuffed up feeling, and breathing through my mouth most of the time. I was actually relieved when my CAT scan showed that my septum was severely deviated. I thought, maybe it's not my fault that I keep getting sick! I had been changing my diet, eliminating dairy, wheat, and sugar, just so I could breathe better, but I still got the sinus infections. During the surgey I didn't feel a thing, and it didn't hurt until the anesthesia wore off. Then the blood poured out for hours, and my poor sister got scared and kept having to change my bandages. I joked with my family that removing the nasal packing was like giving birth-- I couldn't believe it fit in my nose! Then my mom called me Charlie Chaplin for a few days because my nose was so big and round. Today I got the splints taken out, which was uncomfortable, but nothing compared to the packing. I still am bleeding a little and feeling pretty stuffed up and sore. The doctor said my nose looked fabulous though! I had to wear the bandages longer than the typical patient because of the bleeding and drainage. (My mom said my red-headed complexion is cause for more bleeding!) With the help of nice nurses and doctors, my family, and of course, the Vicoden, I feel like I'm on the road to recovery. I'm so glad I got this done. Think I gotta go take a nap now!

Just wanted you to know that I also got very stuffed up on one side of my nose, but then when I would lay down, sometimes it would be blocked on the other side! It was so weird. Then I read that people with deviated septums get blockages on both sides sometimes, and it can alternate depending on what you're doing. Hope your appointment goes well, and good luck!

Hi from HI wrote:

Boy! This place is amazing for information.  I only started looking around here the other day, and already have more information than I imagined.

I go to the otolaryngologist this afternoon.  I have a question for anyone here.  I was told years ago I have a deviated septum; however, even though my nose is ALWAYS blocked on one side...it is not always the SAME side.  This is true whether or not I am sitting standing or flat in bed.  Does anyone know why it changes all the time?  If I lie down, the side toward the bed is blocked. When I sit or stand the side impacted is random.  Never, I mean never, are both nostrils open at once.  I do not have allergies.  I do have severe OSA.

I am so glad to hear all this information about the surgery experiences.  I used to work as a surgical tech on these procedures and thus have avoided getting anything done for years. I used to be one of the folks tapping on the chisels. I look forward to the relief though...and a true diagnosis of what is going on in there!  

Just wanted you to know that I also got very stuffed up on one side of my nose, but then when I would lay down, sometimes it would be blocked on the other side! It was so weird. Then I read that people with deviated septums get blockages on both sides sometimes, and it can alternate depending on what you're doing. Hope your appointment goes well, and good luck!

Hi from HI wrote:

Boy! This place is amazing for information.  I only started looking around here the other day, and already have more information than I imagined.

I go to the otolaryngologist this afternoon.  I have a question for anyone here.  I was told years ago I have a deviated septum; however, even though my nose is ALWAYS blocked on one side...it is not always the SAME side.  This is true whether or not I am sitting standing or flat in bed.  Does anyone know why it changes all the time?  If I lie down, the side toward the bed is blocked. When I sit or stand the side impacted is random.  Never, I mean never, are both nostrils open at once.  I do not have allergies.  I do have severe OSA.

I am so glad to hear all this information about the surgery experiences.  I used to work as a surgical tech on these procedures and thus have avoided getting anything done for years. I used to be one of the folks tapping on the chisels. I look forward to the relief though...and a true diagnosis of what is going on in there!  

Well Gang,
My surgery is this Friday.  I hope it goes well.  I´m looking forward to all the packing in my nose to eventually come out in one (or more) big pull(s).   I´ll give you a blow by blow account as things develop.  (fingers crossed).

Best of luck LittleMoreAwakeG1!!!  I wish you as positive of an experience as I had and a nice speedy recovery.  I was in today for my second follow-up with my surgeon and all is well.  I am healing right on schedule and he looked in all the sinuses and said they are nice and clear.  The septum is perfectly straight and I can breathe through both sides all the time.  

My packing came out the morning after surgery and it was just one pull.  It wasn't like a long string of packing, more like two plugs.  It didn't hurt when it came out at all.  Actually it was a relief that it was out.  I didn't have the splints so I can't tell you what that is like.  

I purposely took it very easy the first two days after surgery.  It made sense to me that if I kept still and kept my blood pressure nice and low, there would be less pounding blood flow through there and it worked well.  I had the surgery on a Wednesday, discharged on Thursday and was back at work the next Tuesday feeling good.  

I waited until last week to get a new CPAP mask.  I went with the nasal mask.  I had already tried the full face and two different types of pillow masks, none of which were quite right.  In the past seven nights, I have kept the mask on all night for three of those nights.  That is a record for me so I continue to hope that this will continue to improve.  

Again, best of luck and have a nice uneventful speedy recovery.

Hi.  I'm going in for a consultation with an otolaryngologist on the 10th and I have a couple of questions.  I figured out a couple years ago that I have a deviated septum and it seems like I've noticed it causing problems more lately.  Nothing serious though and I haven't noticed any signs of sleep apnea.  But, when I exercise, I get short of breath very quickly-and I'm not in bad shape-and when I lay down to go to sleep I really notice the difficulty in getting enough air.  I can tilt my head back and clearly see that the septum is deviated to the right side and I hardly get any air out of this nostril.  I heard that this procedure can sometimes be covered by insurance but how severe does it have to be to be covered usually?  Also, I am interested in having rhinoplasty done at the same time--will this interefere with insurance covering the operating room and anesthesia costs?  Also, are most otolaryngologists also skilled in performing an artful rhinoplasty?--I'm wanting the bump removed on the bridge and the tip shaped a little.  Any advice would be helpful--I'm really excited about the prospect of a new nose and being able to breathe easier but probably won't be able to get the surgery unless most of it is paid for by insurance.  Thanx for your help! Love the forum!

Hi

I had surgery for deviated septum, multiple polyps and blockages - after a five hour delay - on Monday, kept overnight and had my packing removed Tuesday morning.  The worst thing I feel is the congestion - especially on the right side, with some bleeding.  I go in tomorrow (Friday 6-29) to have splints removed and sunctioning?   I have instructions that say gently blowing nose is ok, other says no, one says use Afrin, other says not!  any advice>  suctioning help congestion?  those who have had the surgery how long to 100%?  I had horrible headaches, sinus infections, etc. so I felt I needed to give this a try.  Thanks for any advice.