sarahmk
11-24-2003, 11:16 AM
I have been told I have a deviated septum, can anyone give me any info on this? I know it is when the septum is to one side but I was wondering if anyone has ever had the operation? I am due to have the op next month, and just wanted some advise before I do please.
Sponsor
Rick7799
11-24-2003, 07:37 PM
I had the surgery about 10 years ago. I could not breath at all through one side. The other side I could get air through it but it would plug up here and there. I was for the most part happy with it, but it's not 100%. One thing I did notice after was I did not get any sinus infections. I think they took out to much cartilage and there is not enough room for air to get through. It is much better after the surgery, and it was worth it. Maybe I was expecting to much.
becky1954
11-25-2003, 06:45 AM
I had the surgery several years ago. I couldn't breath out of one side of my nose and I was always having sinus infections. For a year after I had it everything was great. I could breathe perfectly. The doctor made no guarantees whether it would last a year or a lifetime. I still breath much better than I used to and I only get sinus infections once or twice a winter. I have one right now with bronchitis. The trouble I have now is non allergic rhinitis but that has nothing to do with the deviated septum. I would say it was more or less a success. I would do it if you have a lot of problems.Good Luck! :)
miseryweeps
11-30-2003, 05:04 AM
My husband had this surgery about a year and a half ago. He had a deviated septum 90 degrees. In other words, only about half of the air was getting into his lungs when breathing through his nose. He had 3 sinus infections within 3 months- which is how this was diagnosed. The surgery itself is day surgery. I went and had breakfast while it was done. It took about an hour for the check in stuff and maybe 30 minutes for the procedure itself. Be ready to be concious afterwards but not quite coherant. Make sure you have someone who can talk to the doctor after the procedure is done. They gave him Lortab for pain but it wasn't strong enough so Darvocet was ordered. See if your doctor will give you a script for the additional painkiller in case you need it. Other than the follow up after a week to have the splints removed, it didn't seem to be that bad. You do have to make sure you sleep with your head propped up, though. Try not to sneeze or sniff very hard. Change the gauze they give you as often as you need to. Once the hard core bleeding stops and you feel dignified enough to go out into public (heheeh), tuck some tissue into your purse or pocket for any additional bleeding that may occur. They will tell you not to pick up anything over 5 pounds for the first few days afterwards and not to do any strenuous activity. So, basically, stock up on groceries beforehand. Soups and other "light" meals would be good. If you have children, arrange for childcare for the first few days. It's a very simple surgery but you won't feel like doing anything for a few days afterwards. My husband hasn't had any problems since his surgery, and he has only had 1 sinus infection since. My least favorite thing about it, though, is that he still snores. Loud. Very very loud. If you need more advice please ask. I don't know much about the procedure itslef other than there are different ways to correct the blockage. With us they shaved down the septum until it was even. I've also heard of them chisling out the bad portion. It's up to the surgeon and the technique could change depending on what they see when they get in there. Good luck. You'll be glad you did this.
Manda
Manda