Post-op Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction: OUCH!

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 11:45 pm

I am now almost 2 days post-op (surgery was 18th). I had both the septoplasty and bilateral turbinate reduction done. My blockage was 100% on right side, and around 70% on left side. Deviated septum was apparent according to ENT, but nothing really bad.

My actually surgery time was ~2.5 hours. My surgery started at 1 Pm, and I was in recovery by 3:30-4. I had major bleeding today when I pulled out the packing, which was a constant stream for almost 4 mins, but 15 mins overall. One of the strings broke on my packing, so i had manually pull the rest out. I"m pretty drugged still right now, but my packing has been reffered to as my nose tampons since yesterday, so nice to get those out. Amazing, those things were @ least 3 inches long and stuffed as far back as possible in my nostrils.

I have to start rinsing out both sides of my nose tomorrow with saline solution for 3 times a day. My guaze is still worn out the outside of my nose, held in place by a "lanyard' running ear-to-ear. My splint is still inside my nose which will be taken out on Weds.

I am on Hydrocodone, Claritin (to prevent sneezing), and a antibiotic. The pain was more than I thought it was going to be right after surgery, but out of 10 no more than a 6. The worst pain was today when pulling the packing out, which was like an 8. I have classes on Monday, which my ENT says I should be able to go to pending how I feel.

I posted this much just incase someone who's looking for the surgery need info.

-- Cory

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 11:50 pm

To add:

I can already tell a MAJOR difference in breathing even thought I am completely stoppped up with swelling/mucous/blood (what a combo!). I can tell the difference because I can literally feel less of a phsyical blockage, and can tell its all the lovely congestion mix mentioned above.

My dental device is due in 10 days, so my path to CPAP-less life is hopefully on its way.

Feel free to ask ?'s, make fun of me (yay!), or just say "hey" if you want.

-- Cory

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 12:01 am

To those newbies that aren't aware of this surgery, its done for those with chronic congestion. For those CPAP'ers of you that use full face masks, these two precedures usually help in allowing you to use only a nasal mask.

I've read far too often on this board where sleep doctors dont notice the congestion, and people will have to adjust to a full face mask which is far tougher than a nasal mask.

Who knows, I may have been able to tolerate CPAP if I'd know and gotten this surgery. But I'm on the road to dental devices...

If you can't tell I'm really drugged up and rambling!

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 12:04 am

Hey, Cory. Glad you came through okay. Hope things continue to go well for you! Though, that description of pulling out the packing - OUCH! Good luck with the rest of your recovery!

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 12:09 am

Sounds similar but worse than the rhinoplasty I had 10 years ago for a severely deviated sceptum (sp?). Glad to hear you came through it OK, Cory. I hope this is your successful road to a cpap-less life.

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 12:11 am

yah, i'm hoping its my road too. Frickin crazy how little sleep I get waiting on all these apts. You'd think I'd be on some Doc VIP list with all the appointments I have!

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 1:02 am

I went through a similar operation about a year ago. Having to pull out your own packing is pretty hard core. I am suprised the ENT didn't do that for you.

Make sure you do the saline flushes per the doctor's instructions. The saline flushes are EXTREMELY important for good healing.

My nasal surgery made it so I could use CPAP effectively and at a much lower pressure. It did NOT get ME off of CPAP.

I do wonder if the dental devices would get me off CPAP since I now run such a low pressure. Let us know how that works out for you. But at the very least, you will get good CPAP therapy now.

Kenv · Post by **Kenv** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 3:08 pm

Hi Cory. I am interested that you say you can already breathe more easily after just a couple of days. I have been suffering from Vasomotor Rhinitis which causes the nasal tissues to swell and almost block the nose. I am considering surgery, having the turbinates reduced. I am pretty scared by this because I get frightened if I can breathe through my nose - I'm wondering if I will still be able to get air through my nose after the surgery and what long term would be like. If you or anyone else would like to comment I would be interested.
Ken

Jere · Post by **Jere** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 4:52 pm

I had my septum fixed once and turbinates reduced twice. It's no fun, but if the packing is out then you are over the hump. You will be surprised how quickly you will feel better. Keep doing the saline rinse - it keeps stuff from hardening during the healing process.

Keep it up!

Stryker5777 · Post by **Stryker5777** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 6:50 pm

Hey Cory,

I just wanted to say good luck to you. Sugery is not fun. I had one done on my right knee so I have some idea of what your going through. I'm glad that things are going as well as can be expected and that you made it out okay. I hope that this gets you off of CPAP and in the mean time hang in there.

Stryker5777

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 9:14 pm

Cory,

Just an old woman wishing the best to a young man who is brave and can, I'm sure, recuperate really quick, you know, being so young and all.

All kidding aside, glad to hear it's behind you now and you're already noticing an improvement in your breathing. Please let us hear from you as time goes on. Feel well, cutie pie.

SLPYHED · Post by **SLPYHED** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 10:28 pm

Swordz, I have been waiting to see how your procedure went.

Did you have RF, Laser or scalpel turbinate reduction?

I will be having this done soon so I cringed at the thought of the packing removal. I too am suprised that you went through the removal process yourself and not with the assistance of your ENT.

Hope you heal up fast and that this procedure and your dental device works out well with you.

Kirk

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 12:16 am

Swordz, so glad to hear your report. Keep us posted.

BP · Post by BP » Mon Nov 21, 2005 11:50 am

Cory, good luck with the surgery. I had full sinus surgery about 10 years ago, I had constant sinus infections for 2 years prior. I breathe great throught my nose now and have for the last 10 years. It was very painful though.

Cheers,
BP

MissAmethyst2U · Post by **MissAmethyst2U** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 12:14 pm

Glad to hear surgery went well! Hope you heal fast and the pain is not too bad! Keep us updated...