Anyone had a septoplasty?

manna, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2006

*Raising my hand*

I had a septoplasty back in 2000 after 2+ years of chronic sinus infections. Best thing I've ever had done. Cleared up my problems 95% (I still have seasonal allergies). My insurance did cover the cost of my surgery.

I was only off work for about a week, and the pain was bearable. I think I took painkillers (Lortab, if I'm not mistaken) for about 3 days afterwards. They did not place plastic in my septum, but "shaved" it down. No complications whatsoever. My nose looks exactly the same now as it did before.

My ENT attributed my quick recovery to the fact that he does not pack the noses of his septoplasty patients, but uses some type of "cement." I remember them calling it cement at the time, before I was medically trained. I'm not sure what kind of substance it actually was.

Good luck! PM me if I can answer any more of your questions. :)

Septoplasty is just surgery to correct a deviated septem.
How long was your healing time? How badly did it hurt? How did it change the appearance of your nose? Did they put plastic in your septem or something? Had any problems afterward related to surgery?
Thanks :)

Lacie, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2006

Insurance will general pay as if it's not for "cosmetic" reasons and the MD can attribute it as a medical necessity. I had mine done years ago although it was accompanied with a fracture. I had a previous fracture that caused the deviation when I was a child then re-fractured it as an adult which resulted in further deviation. Best thing I have ever done as I had so many problems with nasal breathing and sinus problems. Still have sinus issues but not near the degree previously. I couldnt breath from my nose at all. Mine was packed for about a week post-op and it was painful for me. But they had to re-break and re-align the bone in addition to the septoplasty. They didnt use "plastic" but reroute the nasal tissue so to speak. I had 2 huge black eyes of course and looked like someone beat the living heck out of me. Actually the worse was having the packing removed and that very first sneeze that came about 6 weeks later. But it was well worth it. My nose didnt look different at all afterwards but I did have swelling for about 3 weeks. Actually I had hoped some of the appearance from the swelling would stay LOL but it didnt and I had my same ol' nose.

TazziRN, RN · Oct 7, 2006

A therapist I was seeing a few years ago had it done. He was back at work in a couple of days and was very pleased with the results.

mamason · Oct 7, 2006

I had the procedure done about 6 years ago. My son, 2 at the time, head butted me. OUCH!!!! Anyway, no bleeding, just feeling of having my nose clogged up and the my nose was sticking out to one side. They only had to re-break my nose to put it back into place. Had a blood clot in my nasal passages which would explain the "no bleeding" and feeling "stuffed up." I was pretty sore the first couple of days afterwards. Vicodin was prescribed. Made me sleepy and sick to my stomach. No black eyes, just a little brown bruising that barely showed. My nose is shorter and a little bit wider than it used to be. But, I seem to be the only one who notices that. I have found that at times, I have lost my ability to smell. And I agree with the previous poster. Removal of the packing was the worst part for me. At the time of the removal, it seemed as if the packing material was a least 50 feet long!LOL!!!!

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2006

I've had this done. Technically mine was called septoplasty, but I had it done to remove a bone spur that was growing on the floor of the nasal cavity and septum like a great big tree trunk. I guess I had more work done than most. At least that's what the anesthesiologist said to me when I was sobbing in pacu. I had plastic splints sutured to my septum for 10 days afterwards. It truly was a trip to hell. I vomited blood for 2 days and the maximum dose of vicodin just didn't help me much. I sobbed from the pain for at least 4-5 days. I bleed off and on for 3 full months after.

Now a few years previously I had minor septoplasty done by another doctor. I had minor pain and actually enjoyed my time off.

I'd say that it does vary widely regarding how bad the recovery is. I think it probably depends on how much bone you have taken out and where. I spoke with people who thought it wasn't a big deal (my first septo) and then people like me with my second septo who thought it was unbearable. I do think the plastic splints tortured me to no end. Chances are, if you have anything left in after the surgery like packing or splints sutured to your septum - it's not going to be pleasant.

mamason · Oct 7, 2006

Well, hear I ago again. Answering a question I shouldn't have. The procedure I had done was Rhinoplasty. Septoplasty is a different procedure. I apologize.

Queenlizo · Oct 7, 2006

Hi,

I had septoplasty about 13 years ago. I had major sinus infections before it, and afterwards, have had far, far fewer of them. They had to shave off some bone, but did not use any type of plastic. I had my nose stuffed with cotton overnight- went back the next morning, and they took it out. Recovery wasn't too bad- Vicoden and in bed for a week (I might have milked the in bed part, though- I stayed at my mom's and was pampered!)

All in all, I'm so glad that I had it done- I feel so much better now.

Liz

carmine79 · Jul 28, 2011

I had a septoplasty too about 9 days ago. I would like to know what the healing process is like and how long it takes to get back to normal. I got it to correct my deviated septum that mainly clogged my right nostril. Now, after the surgery I am still feeling clogged and little to no breathing on the right side, where the problem was. Does this mean something went wrong? Or does it just need time to heal?

Thank you.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jul 28, 2011

I had a septoplasty too about 9 days ago. I would like to know what the healing process is like and how long it takes to get back to normal. I got it to correct my deviated septum that mainly clogged my right nostril. Now, after the surgery I am still feeling clogged and little to no breathing on the right side, where the problem was. Does this mean something went wrong? Or does it just need time to heal?
Thank you.

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