Due to a severe deviated septum, I had septoplasty and turbinate reduction surgery done last Friday, April 11th after putting it off for years. Reading this message board prior to surgery helped me to relax and realize it wouldn't be as bad as I expected and had heard. I actually had a very good experience with the surgery. I had no severe pain afterwards, just some discomfort and stuffiness. I had the packing removed yesterday and am feeling much better. The stories about that procedure were also unfounded. Maybe I'm just lucky and had a great doctor. Still taking it easy so everything will heal properly. I would highly recommend the surgery to anyone having this problem. I'm sure it will be totally worth it! I can breathe through my nose for the first time in years. I'll be 55 in a couple of weeks so I don't think age is a factor in the recovery process.

Tommorrow's the big day. I will have my septoplasty and turbinate reduction surgery.  I talked with the nurse yesterday and she said it would be about a one hour procedure.  It will be outpatient and I will probably be home by 4:00 PM.  I live about one hour away from where the surgery will be done. I have everything I can think of  here in preparation.  I bought one of those neck pillows that support the head during travel to use when sleeping in an upright position in my recliner the first few nights.  Bought pudding, yogurt, iced pops, fudge pops, etc for the times when I wont be eating a full hot meal. Plenty of water and fluids.  I think being prepared helps me relax.  I have learned a lot from everyone on the forum.  I also have a steam vaporizer, amd saline spray.  Do you think I'm ready...smile.  My husband and son will be with me and that helps too.  I had a restless and uncomfortable night last night and when I awoke, my face on the right side was hurting as usual.  I have a terrible stuffed feeling when reclined.  I have denied myself this solution long enough and I am ready to be healthier and feel better.  It will be great to be able to lay down and rest and sleep with my nares unstuffed.  I pray it takes care of my sleep apnea and snoring problem.  But if not, at least I will be able to use the CPAP with comfort.  Thanks everyone and I will let you know in a few days how things are going.

I had the same exact surgery about three years ago. I had a great doctor and didn't experience much pain at all. It was minor and it was more of an ache than a pain. When the packing came out I was afraid at first but after a week of being stuffed up you feel so much freedom of breathing through your nose again that it was a breeze to remove. It was quick too!

My ONLY drawback is that the surgery unfortunately did not work for me. I was told going in that it might not but that was the only option that my insurance company would allow. They won't approve a CPAP machine or any other type of surgery that might help.

I'll remember to say a little prayer for you and I've seen this surgery work for most people. I'm just one of the few that it did not. Good luck tomorrow and remember that it is worse in your mind than it actually is. You'll do great!!

Has anyone had packing that had tubes/straws so that you could breathe I am suppose to have surgery next week have lots of problems mouth breathing please help

I had some sort of foam packing in each nostril. I stayed in the hospital over night after the surgery, these packing things were left in the first night, the doctor took them out the next day when he came around to see me (and his other patients) It was miserable that first night. The packing was so effective I could not relieve any pressure between my nose and mouth, I could not hardly swallow as a result. This was absolutely the worst part of the whole surgery/recovery for me...  Once the packing was out, my pain was controlled by nothing more then Motrin (large doses)... My problems had little to do with pain and a lot to do with the annoyence caused by the packing... But for me, that was only one night, so it was in the end bareable.

Has anybody had packing that had tubes/or they may call them straws so that you can breathe and did it work could you breathe. I will have to have them in from Friday till Monday?

kygirl47 wrote:

Tommorrow's the big day. I will have my septoplasty and turbinate reduction surgery.  I talked with the nurse yesterday and she said it would be about a one hour procedure.  It will be outpatient and I will probably be home by 4:00 PM.  I live about one hour away from where the surgery will be done. I have everything I can think of  here in preparation.  I bought one of those neck pillows that support the head during travel to use when sleeping in an upright position in my recliner the first few nights.  Bought pudding, yogurt, iced pops, fudge pops, etc for the times when I wont be eating a full hot meal. Plenty of water and fluids.  I think being prepared helps me relax.  I have learned a lot from everyone on the forum.  I also have a steam vaporizer, amd saline spray.  Do you think I'm ready...smile.  My husband and son will be with me and that helps too.  I had a restless and uncomfortable night last night and when I awoke, my face on the right side was hurting as usual.  I have a terrible stuffed feeling when reclined.  I have denied myself this solution long enough and I am ready to be healthier and feel better.  It will be great to be able to lay down and rest and sleep with my nares unstuffed.  I pray it takes care of my sleep apnea and snoring problem.  But if not, at least I will be able to use the CPAP with comfort.  Thanks everyone and I will let you know in a few days how things are going.

All will go well. You will be happy you had it done. Best of luck,and please let us know how you are doing ? Don't be afraid to take the pain meds for the first few days , although you may not really need them. One thing to remember, be patient with the healing time . It does take awhile, but you will get by fine !!  


_________________
Steve

I had my surgery yesterday and all went well.  I had some pain yesterday in my face head and teeth.  The pain medications took control of that and I am on schedule with them today.  I feel very positive about having it done.  I could tell my air passages were improved yesterdat right after surgery. I have splints sutured into the septum to maintain the alignment and they will be removed on Wednesday.  I will continue to post my progress.  Thanks everyone for your support. T

miami123 wrote:

Has anybody had packing that had tubes/or they may call them straws so that you can breathe and did it work could you breathe. I will have to have them in from Friday till Monday?

Yes, I had packing with tubes/straws that ran through it so I could breathe through my nose right away. I had the surgery last Friday and had them removed on Monday. i don't have a problem with mouth breathing (I've been doing it for years) but the tubes defnitely helped.

Can Breathe Now I am having the procedure Friday week I am really thinking about backing out please tell me that the tubes you had in the packing gave you enough air or someone help me I am not a very good mouth breather and I and having a hard time coming to the concussion that I can get through this. Also How did you sleep were you able to sleep ok after the Septoplasty.

I have been taking my pain medication and antibiotics and doing saline irrigations.  The irrigations help keep my nose from feeling so stuffed and dry.  I sleep in my recliner with my head up and use a travel pillow to support my head.  I am glad I had this done, I believe I am going to feel much better soon.  I am keeping in mind the fact that this is a slow healing process and I will take it one day at a time.  If you need the surgery, go for it is my advice.  I was apprehensive and had canceled in February.  It feels like today the way I felt many times with a bad head cold or sinus infection.

oops! "Saturday-day 2" is me..smile.  Put the subject in the username spot, I guess...smile

kygirl47 wrote:

oops! "Saturday-day 2" is me..smile.  Put the subject in the username spot, I guess...smile

kygirl I hope everything is improving with you I have Septoplasty coming up on Friday. I am really worried about the packing    Has anybody had packing with a tubes or straws in the middle to help breathing  if so please respond.

miami123 wrote:

Can Breathe Now I am having the procedure Friday week I am really thinking about backing out please tell me that the tubes you had in the packing gave you enough air or someone help me I am not a very good mouth breather and I and having a hard time coming to the concussion that I can get through this. Also How did you sleep were you able to sleep ok after the Septoplasty.

I had enough air coming through the straws to breathe through my nose. Just be sure to keep using the saline rinse to keep them cleared out. I have a friend who also had this done who has a problem breathing through her mouth. She said she didn't sleep real well the first night or two but is still very glad she had it done. I didn't have any problems sleeping but got up several times during the night to take my medication. Went right back to sleep. I had mine a little over a week ago and am doing fine. Still feeling a little stuffed up though, (it IS allergy season in California!). I'm sure you'll do fine.

I have been uncomfortable with the splints in my nares.  I get some air through the straw like openings that run through the splints, but mostly breathe through my mouth.  I have slept fairly well and am using saline rinses to keep my nares as moist and open as possible.  I can hardly wait till Wednesday when I get the splints removed.  I feel that will be the turning point for me.  I have hardly any drainage.  I am still using the pain medications, just not as often.  I am on antibiotics.  All is going as I expected.