Septoplasty

Question: septoplasty ? i'm having a nasal septoplasty in september because i have a deviated septum. I have a bump on my nose and the doctor says it's because 1) i was born with a deviated septum and 2) the injuries i had that made it worse. So will the septoplasty slightly decrease the size of the bump ? My brother had the same surgery and his nose appearence did change a little bit.

Answer: it depends on your body and it's tendency in creation of scar tissue. No way to predict the outcome really.

Question: What exactly is scarring from a septoplasty that causes sleep apnea? I had septoplasty they think I have scarring that is now causing sleep apnea how is that possible my roof of my mouth vibrates and my snoring increased after the septoplasty. What happened? He is doing a sleep study but cant you tell some other way? Is this a sign of a bad surgeon? Move septum vibrates too and the roof of mouth only when I sleep? Im not fat it was the surgery

Answer: Sleep apnea is an obstruction somewhere in the airway. It can be caused by a number of things. Scar tissue is very likely cause. Sleep apnea surgery does not work for many people because the scarring is actually worse than the original problem My question to you is did you snore before your nose job. If so you probably had OSA previously. Many people do. Sleep apnea is found in people of all sizes and shapes. Kids get SA as well. When you have the sleep study, you can ask many questions to the sleep techs and the doctor at the follow up. Best wishes

Question: What kind of medications do they prescribe for a septoplasty? I was told I will be given general anesthesia during the procedure. What type of anesthesia will I probably be given specifically? They said they will prescribe a narcotic painkiller. What kind will I most likely be prescribed? Will I also be given anything to reduce the swelling in my nose? I was told that removing the packing from my nostrils will probably hurt worse than the septoplasty. Why can't they give me anesthesia for that too then?

Answer: Depending, you will get a combination of an injected and gas anesthesia. Probably fentenyl or propofol. The prescription will probably be be either darvocet or vicodin. All of this depends upon your allergies to medications. I had the procedure done 2 weeks ago and this is what I was given. I was lucky in that a gel type of sponge was used in my nose. This came out pretty much on it's own after 3 days. My sister and friends had a little more involved septoplasty and it did require the "real" packing. Good thing is that the surgery itself wasn't bad as far as pain afterward. What I've been told is that the removal of the packing does hurt so you should save a few of the pain killers for that and have someone drive you there. You can always ask for them to knock you out but I would expect that the insurance wouldn't cover it. My guess is that the Doctor also needs to be able to talk to you as this is occurring. Hope it works out fine for you.

Question: What are these soft protrusions that are in my nasal cavity post- septoplasty surgery? I just had a septoplasty done like 6 days ago and now one nostril is smooth and clean, a little scabbing which the doctor will take out but the other is all bumpy with these jellyish protrusions which not only uncomfortable, when I breath hard one flaps up and blocks the passage completely. What are they?

Answer: They are probably the turbinates...

Question: How long does recovery take from a septoplasty? I'm going to have a septoplasty in June, and I want to know how long it will take to recover from it. A puppy that I'm getting will be matured enough for me to take home by that time, so I want to be recovered enough to be around an energetic puppy. I've had three surgeries (tonsil removal, a severely broken leg and a surgery afterward to remove the metal from my leg) before and I have a pretty good thresh-hold for pain.

Answer: For mine I had the splints in for a week, which I was still able to do things around my house but didn't go anywhere, then after they were taken out I was pretty much all better. My nose still hurt a bit but I could breathe great and I was excited to get out and use my new nose!

Question: Have you had a Rhinoplasty/Septoplasty through private health insurance and medicare? I need this procedure done and have been informed that medicare will cover some costs for the septoplasty component. The total costs including anaesthesia and hospital is $13000. I have been advised by my surgeon to join a private health fund but am wondering if they will cover more than medicare would. Would be really helpful if I could get some advice from someone who has been through it. Thanks.

Answer: healthquotes.awardspace.info - here is my health insurance plan. As I remember they can provide such a service.

Question: What is the difference between Septoplasty and Rhinoplasty? ? I have a deviated septum and my Doc wants to do a Septoplasty to fix it. I'm just wondering what the difference is between Septoplasty and Rhinoplasty. Will the appearance of my nose be different as it would with Rhinoplasty? I already tried to look it up on webmd and it didn't offer too much info on the difference.

Answer: No, the appearance of your nose will not be different. Septoplasty simply moves the septum into a normal position, while a rhinoplasty changes the shape of the nose itself.

Question: I have a deviated septum and am planning on getting septoplasty. Would it be a good idea to do rhinoplasty? I have a deviated septum that affects my breathing and recently saw a doctor for a consultation, and am awaiting to hear if my insurance will cover septoplasty. I also have a crooked bridge and bump due to perhaps a broken nose. Would it be a good idea to do rhinoplasty at the same time as the septoplasty, or could these be done separately? Do ENTs also perform septoplasty?

Answer: I've read your question over and I felt the frustration of this form to not to be able to ask you a few probing questions to better answer your question. However I would like to email you a few things that will at the very least offer you some insights and hopefully give you a feeling of empowerment as a result to gaining more knowledge and I believe that is absolutely key to any problem...to take away the dark spots and shed some light into the unknown....with your permission of course. M.D. 21 years F.A.A.C.

Question: Rhinoplasty Septoplasty and turbinate removal at the same time by a plastic surgeon? My plastic surgeon is going to perform a turbinate cauterization (zap the polyps) on me while doing the rhinoplasty. Has anyone done that before? does it dry up my nose if he zaps my polyps? if he just does a septoplasty and I am able to breath better do the polyps shrink back to normal size?

Answer: turbinate cauterization is not 'zapping polyps'. turbinates are structures projecting from the side of the nose. they function to warm and moisturize inhaled air. if they are oversized they can block the airway and contribute to excessive nasal secretions. if the turbinates are large and are not treated, the septoplasty may not be as effective, but by the same token there are plenty of cases in which septoplasty alone is sufficient. You should ask these questions of your surgeon before agreeing to the procedure.

Question: Can anyone help re sense of smell and taste after septoplasty? I had my septoplasty 12 days ago. Everything went more or less as expected thanks to the wealth of helpful forum advice. So far my experience is that the operation wasn't as painful as I expected but it has been miserable! Had my spints out this week which helped a lot. Breathing easier but nose still very sensitive and I have headaches constantly. Hopefully this will pass, but has anyone been totally without their sense of smell and taste at this stage? If so, how long before you got it back, and was it better or worse than before the operation?

Answer: Hi Yes, I have had a septo, years ago. But I do remember not having any sense of smell but as the surgical sight healed and the swelling went down, I slowly got my sense of smell back. It just takes time, hang in there it will come back. Be safe and be well

Question: When can I sleep the way I want after septoplasty? I had a septoplasty done on Monday. The instructions sent home with me say to sleep elevated but doesn't give a specific time frame. I'd still sleep elevated but i'd like to sleep on my side if possible.

Answer: Once your nose has stopped running (ie any discharge has stopped) and no longer feels stuffy or blocked then it's OK to sleep on your side. You should be able to by now.

Question: Is it normal for your nose to run after the Septoplasty surgery? I just had septoplasty done along with refining the pyramid of my nose. It's been a few days since the doctor took out the wax and cast off my nose. Since then my nose runs. Also, the inside of my nostrils feel inflammed and irritated somewhat. Im really not happy that Im having a runny nose, its embarrassing. Anyhow, I spoke to my doctor and he said to try Claritin, and Im going to follow up with him in 2 weeks. I dont see why I need to take Claritin since I hardly use the product (I dont like being dependent on medication if I never needed it before). Anyhow, I wanted to know if this is normal, and if so how long would these symptoms last??? If its not normal please suggest another ENT in the Southern California area. Thank you,

Answer: Was your doctor also the surgeon who did the operation, if not, get in touch with the surgeon who did, and ask him.

Question: Is is recommended to get a Septoplasty at the age of 13? I have an extremely (in my and my friends opinion) deviated septum, and my nose basically curves to the left from where my nose bone ends. I can only really breath out of my left side but if i breath out of only my nose for long periods of time i get light headed and dizzy from not breathing in enough oxygen. I am wondering if i would be able to get a septoplasty and what it would be like, how much school i would miss, and how painful it would be. thanks!

Answer: Nothing is reccomended at the age of 13.

Question: I had an abortion before a previously scheduled Septoplasty? Two weeks before the date of a rhino/septoplasty i found out i was pregnant and had the pregnancy terminated. Will there be any complications in my upcoming surgery? It has only been two weeks. Will the doctor force me to delay my surgery? I'm most certainly not saying that I had the abortion because I didn't want to delay my nose job. I would have had the abortion had there been no rhinoplasty scheduled.

Answer: ANY prior medical procedure should be disclosed to the dr. in the questionaire form they have you fill out. IF you don't complete one of those, you need to tell them as they can't tell you if that would interfere with the procedure that soon after or not unless they know you had this done. It is better to be sure if it's ok by mentioning it. IF you don't then any possible complications are your risk, not their's if they don't know.

Question: Is it normal to have gristle come from my nostril following Septoplasty and Turbinate reduction? I recently (19th Dec) had a a Septoplasty and trimming of inferior turbinates, and had a lot of bleeding following the operation, then a week later a lot more blood loss (gushing from nostril and back of throat, roughly 1.5 Pints), where I a rushed to Accident and Emergency. The bleeding was found to be due to an infection in the nose which had a strong pungent smell (which I could not smell, due to the nose being blocked). I was prescribed antibiotics and nasal drops and sent home. Since then I have been able to blow my nose a little to clear the clots from the nostril, but tonight when blowing my nose a piece of what I think is gristle (rubbery-fleshy triangular shaped thing) came out of my nostril! Is this normal? Should of it been there or removed on the operating table? Am I falling apart? Any help much appreciated. My equanimity is due to my medical naivity, but I'm slightly alarmed now from your answer, I take it that I should not have had a 2cm piece of gristle coming from my nostril! Back to the hospital for me tomorrow then!

Answer: I admire your equanimity. I am an EMT and I advise you to either go back to the ER if you can't get ahold of your plastic surgeon.

Question: I have some questions on the septoplasty surgery I recently had? I recently had septoplasty because my septum was bending towards my right side and blocking my air flow. After the septoplasty and the removal of the packing I was able to breath alot better. I felt my septum with my fingers and it was straight. I got this surgery 1 month ago now as time went by I became to realize that now my septum is bending towards my left side now. And I am getting air obstruction on my left nostril now. How likely is it that my septum has became crooked again 1 month after the surgery?

Answer: I am a nurse, and I had this surgery too about 5 years ago. It is highly unlikely it became crooked again, unless you had a blow to the nose. It probably feels that way because you were so used to it being deviated to the other side, and now that it's straight it seems crooked. You can't really tell by feeling it with your fingers, it takes special training to spot a deviated septum. You have to be able to see all the way up the nose which you can't do without a special instrument. But, since you are having problems breathing through the left side, your best bet would be to make a follow up appointment with the surgeon to make sure everything still looks OK, it will be quick and easy for him/her to tell. Give it time though, it takes longer than a month to be get the full benefits. Good luck!

Question: Is my nostril supposed to be blocked after septoplasty? I recently got septoplasty done to fix a deviated septum in my left nostril. It has been almost a week and when i look in the mirror, it looks better but it still looks like the septum is not centered and blocking the nostril. Is this due to the splints that were placed in the nose? could it also be that the left nostril is swelled in the area of the septum due to the surgery, also blocking it.

Answer: Hi Eric, It is a little too soon to reach any conclusions. The swelling does not usually subside until about a month. Further, your nose will not feel normal to you for about six months. I had an operation like yours. Since I am also a Registered Nurse I had the privilege of knowing exactly what will happen. Good luck. This type of operation is usually very successful.

Question: I have a deviated septum. If I get septoplasty done on me with they perform cosmetic surgery too? I have a deviated septum and I think I'm going to get a septoplasty performed on me. My nose has been broken so many times that it has made my nose look HUGE. Is it possible to have the doctor who does the surgery also perform cosmetic surgery to fix the shape of my nose?

Answer: yes, I had to have the same thing a few years ago but I didnt need the plastic surgery. I had broken my nose 10 times before I gave in and they fixed it. they had to break it 2 more times to make it right. but to answer your question yes, they can.

Question: When you get a septoplasty and turbinate reduction, can you still have rhinoplasty done to shape the outside? I need a septoplasty at the least (deviated septum,bad) and was curious if i could still get a "nose job" while they already had me cut up to fix the appearance of my nose or IF the other procedures did not cover that.

Answer: Yes u can, it is VERY adviasble you do both during 1 procedure to save time and alot of money, ex u are only paying the "put you to sleep" doctor once and the facility fees once.

Question: How satisfied have you been since your septoplasty surgery? Has it completely resolved your nasal problems? What should patients know about the procedure that your doctor and/or staff won't tell you?

Answer: I had this done for recurrent sinusitis, polyps, and sinus headache. My breathing is much better, so it has helped in that regard. I am pretty much satisfied with the way things went for my procedure. My profile is not exactly the same as it was before. My nose is not deformed or anything, but it jut looks a little different. They tell you that infection and bleeding are the big side effects, but no one told me that my nose might look different.