deviated septum - Ear, Nose & Throat Message Board

devin butler · 07-09-2003, 10:12 PM

hey i was wondering if anyone knows about or has had a deviated septum. I broke my nose when i was a kid and since its been slightly crooked so now i want to see if i can fix it anyone have any advice or info? thanks

Marti · 07-10-2003, 11:23 AM

A deviated septum can lead to breathing difficulty and sinus problems depending on how badly you damaged your nose. If you choose to have it repaired, the surgeon will remove a portion from one nostril and incise it into the damaged nostril, thereby straightening out the shape and allow for better breathing. Your nose will hurt like heck for quite a few weeks, and you will be totally unable to breathe from your nose, which makes eating difficult. In the end, if you are currently having breathing difficulty, it is a good choice. Mine, however; I have left to nature as it has never caused me any problems. I didn't break mine at the top of the nose, but instead, broke the cartilage at the tip of my nose which would require extensive cosmetic surgery and I just don't feel it is worth the cost. Besides, it is what makes my face 'unique'

zloppy · 06-27-2007, 08:06 AM

I have that. i never hit my nose on anything. hmmmm

My nose seems like its always stuffy.

And I wouldnt want sergury on it.

wakkochic17 · 06-27-2007, 09:28 AM

you can have a crooked nose and not have a deviated septum.. you can also have a deviated septum and not have a crooked nose or have ever damaged your nose. My nose is straight, but I have a naturally deviated septum. I can't breathe as well out of my right side of my nose. I am probably going to get surgery for it soon as I've been battling chronic sinusitis the last few months and will probably need sinus surgery to get it to go away.

lady99 · 06-27-2007, 09:46 AM

Hi Wakkochic....I had a septoplasty done along with the tonsillectomy last Friday. The septoplasty is to straighten my deviated septum. I've struggled with allergies as long as I can remember, but the deviation prevents me from breathing through my nose properly. Either one side... or both have always been clogged. When I lay down... forget it, I can't breathe through it at all. I also snore a lot.

I'm feeling some discomfort in the nose area, but more from the tonsillectomy. My ENT told me to expect nasal soreness for about a week. My son had the same surgery done last year, and his recovery took about a week, also. He sufferred with severe sleep apnea - hasn't snored again since.

Sometimes, splints are placed in the nose for a few days, but I didn't need them. Instead, I have self-absorbing sutures. I don't know if I've ever broken my nose, or if the septum has always been crooked. Looking at my nose, it's always been straight.

Good luck with your decision regarding surgery.