Suggestions and advice

I have had a septoplasty and turbinate reduced on the 8th of september and this is my 10th day, however, my nose is still very stuffed up and I have a follow-up on the 29th with my specialist. Is it common to feel pressure around the nose area after this amount of time or will it subside after a while? So far, I have been taping bandaid on both side of my nose to relief some of the pressure and it seems to work a bit. I have been rinsing with Neil Med 3 times a day and experience very little relief. Please, can anyone suggest what I should do or should I wait couple of days before the swelling subsides. Please adise and thanks!

[SparkyIreland]

Hi Tony, just reading round the web. A lot of people saying how the operation was a complete succsess although it took their nose atleast a month to heal.

Its 5:50am here and I cant sleep again, nose is blocked still. Although their is some movement now inside like its clearing a little.

Anyway, goodluck and keep us posted

[Tonyhou]

I know how you feel and trust me, it will get better. As far as sleep is concern, I never had any trouble. I wake up only when I had to and other than that, I slept like a baby.

Today, I put on Breathe Right nasal strip and I feel alot less pressure around my nose. Not too sure whether I am allowed, however, I am somewhat frustrated but happy to know that the day will come sooner than later regarding my healing. Still rinsing my nose and moisterizing them as often as I can.

Hang in there and it won't be long before we all heal and can breathe easily. Drink lots of fluid and rest.

[SparkyIreland]

There is a good thread here worth the read, 48 pages aswell :) :

http://www.apneasupport.org/about9963.html

[SparkyIreland]

Tony do you know if they use a tube so you can breath during the OP? Must say today, I feel sick, my nose is painful. My wind pipe is sore,shoulders, teeth, gums, ears lol, just about everything.

It seems like all the pain is only kicking in now, im thinking the pain down my tubes is from the operation, quite painful.

I took some of the Kapake they prescribed at the clinic, hopefully they will kick in soon.

Cant wait now to get the next few weeks over me, if sure you are the same mate

[Tonyhou]

Sorry to hear that. I, personally, did not experience any pain at all. Yes! I was told that they inserted a tube down my throat during surgery and I did feel slight pain the first night. Other than that, I never had any problem. Right at this juncture, my nose is still stuffed and I am getting a bit frustrated breathing through my mouth. Last night, I used my humidifier and it helped my breathing - instead of breathing cold unfiltered air, I was able to breathe comfortably through my mouth. I wish the swelling will subside sooner than later and get the feeling of breathing normally. By the way, I took 2 weeks off from work and hopefully, it benefit my recovery.

Take care and speedy recovery.

[laaz]

How is the swelling coming along? Have things improved for you at all since the surgery? I am suppose to go for sinus surgery Oct. 10 th but I don't know if I am or not. The CT scan showed that I had pockets of inflammation of inferior turbinates.  Maxillary submucosal thickening of right maxillary sinus (that is where all my drainage comes from 24/7)  Both ostia's of maxillary sinuses have thickening but are patent.  He is not going to do anything to the maxillary sinuse but do a total ethmoidectomy, the ethmoid sinuses.  It doesn't make sense to me, since CT didn't show anything.  Any input on this one Tony or ANYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I hope all is going well with you.  Take care!    Laaz

[Tonyhou]

Sorry laaz, I am not an expert to give you any advice. My suggestion to you is to have a second opinion and take it from there. Seems like your case is much more complicated than mine and I can truly understand how you feel. Just hang in there and do what is necessary.

As for me, my recovery is coming along. I was able to breathe slightly on tuesday (15 days after surgery) and with each day, I can breathe more and more. Today is my 18th day and I am able to breathe alot more. However, I do have dry nose and I moisterize than every 4 hours just to keep the passage flowing. It was a rough 14 days for me in the sense of discomfort from breathing constantly through my mouth. I was doubting about the procedure during that time until the signs of air flowing through my nostrils on tuesday. Thats when I reconsider my decision ( will do the procedure again in a heartbeat ). I am happy and hopefully with each day, I will see more improvement. In the meantime, I discover using tape (any type or bandaid) on both side at the base of my nose and pulling it away to release pressure from the swellings - it helped. I am also using nasal strips at the moment for the same effect. Anything to make me feel comfortable. I will be seeing my ENT on monday for folllow up and hopefully, he will give me great news about my recovery and healing. Will update you soon.

Take care and hopefully, you decide what is good for you.

[laaz]

It has been awhile since you posted.  I was wondering how the Breathing was coming along?  Do you still have to wear the breath rite nasal banaids?  Just wanted to know what was up with you.  Post when you feel up to it.  Take care       Laaz

[Tonyhou]

I still wear nasal strip at times coz my ENT said that my septum is still a bit swollen - matter of time before it subsides. Other than that, my breathing is coming along very well and I could actually breathe from both nostrils and sleep without interruption.

My suggestion to you is trust your ENT and try not to do too much research. I have had my doubt after reading into too much of it and questioned whether I should go through my surgery, well, am I glad that I did and I would do it again in a heartbeat. My ENT have had 40 years of experience and do 4 surgeries a day (not everyday though). Granted my recovery took a little over 15 days but it was worth it. Now the quality of my life has changed and I can breathe without any reoccurence of getting block again....such a relief!

Take care and hope you get better soon.

Regards,
Tony

[laaz]

how are you doing tony? It has been over a month now since you had your surgery, Are you completely healed now?  I went through with my sinus surgery - total ethmoidectomy and my maxillary ostia's made larger.  My doctor said that the inflammation was worse when he saw it then what the sinus CT scan showed. Now I guess its a waiting game and see what happens.  Now I have constant thin drainage out the front of my nose instead of thick going down the back of my throat.  Guess I can't win hey!!  Take care and let me know how you are doing.      Laaz

[laaz]

Tony how are you doing?  You haven't posted in quite awhile, hope everything is ok!! My last post to you was after my sinus surgery, about the thin watery drainage out the right side of my nostril, well guess what?  That was not nasal drainage, that was my ceberal spinal fluid leaking out my nose from my brain. I must have gotten a small hole or crack during the FESS surgery.  Keep me posted about you!      Laaz

[kfallon]

I too had a double deviation, turbinate reduction surgery on Sept 29, 08. I feel probably very similar to how Tony did/has. As of today, almost a month later, I feel very swollen and "behind" my nose feels very achy. Earlier I had better breathing than I do now. I just wonder if it is just a phase of post surgery? My two front teeth also now feel weird. I use Neil Med once or twice a day now, but I still have the "dry" feeling and don't get much relief from it. I also developed thrush in my mouth and other areas after the surgery. I am 53. Will it get better? (I took prescribed meds for the thrush and think it's cleared) The skin on the bottom of my feet also started to shed heavily, maybe from the antibiotics?
Any comments, will it get better? (ps. my nose tip feels numb now)
Thank you!

[Tonyhou]

It has been over 6 weeks since my surgery and truth be told, recovery has been very slow. I am yet to experience total breathing from both nostrils. I am still using nasal strips to help my breathing. However, there were signs of clearing, but then, I get a set back and can breathe through one side only....very frustrating. Still have a slight bleeding when I try to clean the crusts ( very little ) away. Seems like the swelling is taking too long to subside. Strange enough, my doctor did not prescribe any medications after the surgery, except for pain killers. I still rinse my nose twice a day with Neil Med and it helps. Other than that, I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope it will heal as time passes by. Saw my ENT and was informed that it was looking good - matter of time before I see a complete result. Taking his words and hopefully, that day is very close.

kfallon, I do have some numbness at the tip of my nose and my two front teeth is still feeling weird. Did not realise the healing time takes that long.

Anyway, take care and hopefully, we all will breathe freely sooner rather than later.

[kfallon]

Thank you! We are not alone then, and that is reassuring! I have just started to use the
NeilMed NasoGEL to keep my nostrils from feeling dry. You might want to try it, it does
help! I have an appointment on the 3rd of Nov. and will let you know how it goes.
I too thought healing would be a little quicker. One thing, I live in the Northeast and the
heaters have all come on again causing dry air. This may be contributing to it all I'm sure.
Good luck!

[kfallon]

BTW, have you noticed any vision changes??
Thanks,
Karen

[Tonyhou]

Past two days, the breathing seems to improve, however, there were slight uneasiness at times. So, I used nasal strips to relief from discomfort. I have been wearing the strips since May and hopefully, I will get rid of it. Somehow, I am concentrating too much on my breathing that I am way too conscious of any difficulties - bad habits I need to rid of.

As for vision changes, no, I did not experience it at all. Funnyhow, this procedure affects people in a different way and each has its own symptoms.

Take care and speedy recovery !
Tony

[kfallon]

Just had my final ENT dr. appointment last night. All is well. The drippy, on off switching of sides is normal. The healing process does take a very long time. He told me it looked
really great and clear on the side he did the septoplasty on while the other side is still a bit swollen. IF in four to six months the side with the cautery to the turbinates is still stuffy, he will do another cautery reduction. He doesn't think this will be needed though. So, steady as she goes! I do feel like I breathe much more clearly, stronger, and sleep
has improved. I'd do it again even after all the junky part.
Best to all,
Karen

[Tonyhou]

Great to hear that all is well with you. My ENT told me the same, however, I still experience some bleeding when I moisturised the area. Wonder if it is common? I have had my good and bad days and I am getting frustrated. Will be seeing my ENT again in December for follow up and hopefully, I will be totally healed by then. It has been over 8 weeks and I still feel stuffed up but better then before my surgery.

Take care!
Tony

[kfallon]

I'm wondering if the bleeding is from too much rinsing? I see a speck now and then
but I don't really think much about it. I was extremely frustrated last week, so I totally empathize with you. I guess alot depends on the type or lenght of the incision and
where it is. I looked into it and it really is a heavy duty surgery. Not like abdomonal,
but it's up there. If you think about it. Any intense surgery takes up to 6 weeks for you to get better. And then there is still sometimes a feeling of being draggy. Our nose/sinuses can't be much different. Also, we have all types of air flowing in and out,
mucous that drains etc. It's a harsh environment. Most days for now I only breath well
out of one side. Tony, hang in there!!! I'm sure we'll be better in no time.
We should start a septoplasty club, ha!
take care,
Karen

[laaz]

October 10 th I had sinus surgery.  Total ethmoidectomy, maxillary ostia made larger and after I got the post operative report  I  also see that  the doctor  did a partial posterior turbinectomy, which I did not know he was going to do.  (partial posterior  turbinectomy) well anyway, since your  turbinectomy have you had a bad smell inside your nose when you breath?  Mine started about 2 weeks after my surgery. I rinse my sinuses with Neil MEd  saline rinse  twice a day.  Has anyone ever had this before?  Does it ever go away and what  could this be from?  I never had this before  the sinus surgery!!!  Any info. would be of great help.          Laaz