bman598 wrote:

I had my deviated septum and turbinate reduction done on the 13th of March.  So 17 days later, my nose is still somewhat sore.  I feel like its stiff.  Doc still doesn't want me to blow my nose hard, but am doing rinses and sprays to stay moist and blowing a little.  Is the soreness/stiffness common from those on here that has experienced this longer than I have?

Yes, you are not alone in the soreness.  My surgery was 1/24 and it has only been the last couple weeks that the tenderness has reduced to an insignificant amount.

Michael / MeanJoe


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"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm's way." -- John Paul Jones.

Several years ago I had surgery for a deviated septum, at the time I had not been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea.   I had the surgery because when I lay on my right side I could not breath out of my left nostril.  I had hoped it would help me sleep a lot better but it did not. I can no breath from either side of my nose regardless of which side I sleep on, but that is not enough of a help to keep me from having trouble with sleep. I'm glad I had the surgery but it really did not help my sleep a whole lot.

Now... the night after the surgery was probably the second worst sleep I've had in my life. The worst sleep I've had in my life was the day I had my first sleep study done. During surgery or directly after it, they stuffed large soft (spongy) foam things, deep into my sinuses, apparently to keep the passages clear and to keep all the blood from draining into the back of my throat. THey also prevent ANY air  or pressure from transferring from your mouth into your sinuses.  Those spongy things had to stay in place till the next day when the doctor came back around to check on me. I could not breath worth a darn... I could not swallow worth a darn either. I just plain felt horrible that night. Once the doctor removed those spongy things it was all down hill from their.

I am a recovering addict and I did not take any kind of narcotic pain relievers... Tylenol was the only thing I took after the operation. Pain was really not a issue... the significant discomfort I had was all related to not being able to breath correctly though my nose until after everything had healed well.

Meanwhile... several years later (which was a few weeks ago) I had my first sleep study done. Wires, tubes, etc... outside of that first night after recovery from the deviated septum surgery I'd never had a worse night of sleep.   I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea... told I stopped breathing 59 times a hour and had oxygen levels go down to 88%. So, it is pretty clear that my deviated septum surgery several years ago did not keep me from having severe sleep apena.

 Last night I had my second sleep study which involved CPAP titration... much less difficult night those described above.  Now, I haven't gotten the results of my second sleep study, but I was told they had went up to '10' on my CPAP settings...  I have no idea if I would have required higher pressure levels to get my apneas under control if I had never had that surgery for my deviated septum.  I simply do not know how much if any my DS surgery ever helped with my apnea... I do know that CPAP makes it MUCH easier for me to breath in though my nose.  Breathing out with CPAP is kind of tricky and will take some getting used to. However, based n my first night with CPAP I do believe the benefits I get from ease of breathing IN with CPAP, I think I am willing to take the time to get used to breathing OUT with CPAP on.   (The did turn on C-Flex which helped me with the breathing out, but it's still was significantly more annoying then most other aspects of CPAP that I experienced during my during my sleep study/titration involving CPAP).

Just to comment that I had my splints taken out on Tuesday afernoon (yesterday).  Felt so much better after doc cleaned everything out and took those out.  I can breathe better out of my nose and it is much better when I went to bed last night. My nsoe did not become blocked as it would before w/the swelling of the turbinate in my left nostril.  Hopefully this will last and so far I am pretty happy w/my surgery.  I will try to comment in another week as an update to how it is still going.

I suffer from OSA and RLS.  I just had septoplasty and turbinate reduction yesterday.  So far so good.  Surgery really wasn't that bad. I got there at 8:45 am was back home by 12:30 pm.  They were initally a little skeptical about doing my surgery outpatient because of my medical history but all went well. The worst part was that I'm a HARD stick so they had an extremely difficult time getting an IV. I got stuck so many times that I got very anxious but they gave me some nitrous oxide and finally got a line in my foot.

Recovery itself isn't that bad however.  I haven't had any REALLY bad pain and have been taking my pain med every 4-6
hours to keep from getting any discomfort.  The multiple stick sites actually hurt worst than the surgery site.  I am completely occluded in both nostrils however and am  breathing out of my mouth. Apparently, that's completely normal. I had moderate drainage yesterday but not so much today.  I wore a drip pad yesterday but took it off last night. I've had some small problems with stomach upset but nothing so bad I actually vomit.  I have a residual headache but it's minor.  I am sleeping on the couch because I have to sleep elevated.  The nurse suggested sleeping in a recliner but we don't have one upstairs so I chose the couch instead.  I was afraid I'd get too comfortable in the bed and slide down.   I know two others who had the surgery last year and both say that it was worth it.  We'll see.  I at least had to try since I could no longer tolerate my cpap.  I hope my recovery goes as smoothly as some others have.

My husband had deviated septum surgery just over a month ago.  The operation took twice as long (over 2 hours) as anticipated because the doctor said the damage to his septum (several broken noses over the years) was extensive.

His recovery has been awful.  He could not sleep the first 3 nights.  Since having the packing removed his recovery has been very slow.  He is still uncomfortable and over all miserable, even though he does admit to breathing better.

The doctor tells us that this is normal and to be expected.  Did anyone else have a similar experience?

Hi!  I will be having FESS w/ radio frequency turbine reduction, polyps removed and a septoplasty on Monday 4/7.  I have panic/anxiety disorder and worry about breathing after surgery.  I have been told that I will have some packing that will be removed the following day and that will be a big relief.

Were you mouth breathing for days afterwards?

Sandy

Sandy K wrote:

Hi!  I will be having FESS w/ radio frequency turbine reduction, polyps removed and a septoplasty on Monday 4/7.  I have panic/anxiety disorder and worry about breathing after surgery.  I have been told that I will have some packing that will be removed the following day and that will be a big relief.

Were you mouth breathing for days afterwards?

Sandy

I've had to mouth breath my whole life (that I can remember at least) but to answer your question directly - yes, you will most likely having swelling and congestion and breathing through your mouth will be required.

Ohhh... just noticed it is the 8th.  How's the mouth breathing going? ;) Haha.  Hang in there, take your pain meds regularly, and best of luck with your recovery!

Michael / MeanJoe


_________________
"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm's way." -- John Paul Jones.

vaccaro wrote:

Just to comment that I had my splints taken out on Tuesday afernoon (yesterday).  Felt so much better after doc cleaned everything out and took those out.  I can breathe better out of my nose and it is much better when I went to bed last night. My nsoe did not become blocked as it would before w/the swelling of the turbinate in my left nostril.  Hopefully this will last and so far I am pretty happy w/my surgery.  I will try to comment in another week as an update to how it is still going.

Isn't that the best feeling getting those splints out?  It was such a relief for me!  Good luck with the rest of your recovery!

Michael / MeanJoe


_________________
"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm's way." -- John Paul Jones.

Molman wrote:

I have been diagnosed with severe OSA. Should I have surgery? I tried the CPAP device and can't stand it. My brother in law had laser surgery to remove his soft palate and he swears by it! Has anyone out there had surgery?

I had what they call the uppp surgery.   It was hell , and did not work.

I have had two ENT physicians tell me I have a significant deviated septum.  Over the last two years, my ability to breathe at night through my nose has become really difficult.  One or the other side completely closed off.

Both physicians recommended surgery for me however I am still hesitant.  When I read these posts, they tend to focus on doubts and symptoms post-surgery (although that may just be my perception).  Can anyone tell me what the success rate from deviated surgery is?  That might help me make the decision to finally get surgery (and relief).

LindaLindaLinda1964 wrote:

I have had two ENT physicians tell me I have a significant deviated septum.  Over the last two years, my ability to breathe at night through my nose has become really difficult.  One or the other side completely closed off.

Both physicians recommended surgery for me however I am still hesitant.  When I read these posts, they tend to focus on doubts and symptoms post-surgery (although that may just be my perception).  Can anyone tell me what the success rate from deviated surgery is?  That might help me make the decision to finally get surgery (and relief).

My take is a lot depends how good your doctor is.


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Steve

I will have a septoplasty and turbinate reduction on the 17th.  I have OSA and use a CPAP, but have had difficulty using it since the right side of my nose stays stuffed and I have facial pain and headaches.  I have been relunctant to do this for a couple of months, but know now this is the option needed to improve my quality of life.  I am 60 years old and wonder if there is someone else my age out there that has had this surgery.  I will let you know my experience and how my post op recovery goes which I feel will go well.

kygirl47 wrote:

I will have a septoplasty and turbinate reduction on the 17th.  I have OSA and use a CPAP, but have had difficulty using it since the right side of my nose stays stuffed and I have facial pain and headaches.  I have been relunctant to do this for a couple of months, but know now this is the option needed to improve my quality of life.  I am 60 years old and wonder if there is someone else my age out there that has had this surgery.  I will let you know my experience and how my post op recovery goes which I feel will go well.

I am 55 and had it done. No problem. First week kinda ruff. Good luck and go for it. Pain meds work well for the first week,............


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Steve

Hello everyone.. I just had a septo-rhinoplasty and turbinate reduction last wed april 9th. I've had sinus problems for very long now. My septum was deviated on the left side of my nose but I had more trouble breathing on the opposite side of my deviated septum which I found strange. Anyhow surgery went fine. The pain to me is minimal compared to my surgery for sinus polyps 5 yrs ago. As for results it's too early to say. I do feel less sinus pressure, however my right side is still having trouble breathing. Again it's only been 4 days so we'll wait and see. Good luck to you all if you've had surgery, going through surgery, or comtemplating on having surgery.

Thanks Steve for the encouragement.  Talk later.