Turbinate Reduction Surgery and Septal Deviation

[bluemovesjenny]

Looking for some advice from folks who have had turbinate reduction and spetal deviation surgery. My OSA is bad, but I have trouble breathing with the mask because of very enlarged turbinates and a badly deviated septum. The minute I put the mask on, the turbinates swell up and I can't wear the mask. I've wanted the surgery for a long time. But I'm scared of the thought of not being able to breath through my nose at all for at least 1-2 weeks. There's no way I'm going to be able to get sleep breathing through my mouth, and I've heard that I can't wear my mask when my nose is healing, so my apnea will be terrible..

My question is this -- will I be able to breath even a little after the surgery? Or will I have complete nasal blockage from swelling and scaring?

thanks!

[LSAT]

I think different doctors do the surgery a little different..Some pack the nose others don't. When I had my Septoplasty about 6 years ago my nose was not packed and I was able to use my machine at about 5 days, My grandson had the surgery about 4 years ago and his nose was packed. Ask your doctor about this.

[Marcusstephen]

Hi Bluemoves,
I had this operation about 14 yrs ago and I would highly recommend it.
Just make sure your doctor has a good profile regarding past operations and patient feedback.
all the best

[sleepy-programmer]

Looking for some advice from folks who have had turbinate reduction and spetal deviation surgery. My OSA is bad, but I have trouble breathing with the mask because of very enlarged turbinates and a badly deviated septum. The minute I put the mask on, the turbinates swell up and I can't wear the mask. I've wanted the surgery for a long time. But I'm scared of the thought of not being able to breath through my nose at all for at least 1-2 weeks. There's no way I'm going to be able to get sleep breathing through my mouth, and I've heard that I can't wear my mask when my nose is healing, so my apnea will be terrible..

My question is this -- will I be able to breath even a little after the surgery? Or will I have complete nasal blockage from swelling and scaring?

thanks!

My turbinates swelled wearing my mask until I tried two things.

1. Have you played with the humidity settings? The only successful nights of sleep I've had so far-- they just happened so I don't have much data-- were with NO humidity. Just a humidifier in my room. Any humidity at all, and I've tried most permutations of humidity and heat, swell my turbinates within an hour.
2. I'm a long time breath right strips user, and they don't work with my nasal mask. I swear by these nasal dilators, the only brand that actually stays in my nose. All sizes come in one purchase: https://www.amazon.com/WoodyKnows-Anti- ... 0797QZLFG/

[elwoodpdowd]

I had the exact same type of surgery.
I was just recently diagnosed with OSA and can tell you what I experienced on post surgery.

As stated it all depends on how your ENT performs the surgery such as packing, not packing and what type of packing they use and their post care direction.
I had my surgery over 15 years ago and I had a form of caulking injected into my sinuses. I was definitely a mouth breather for approximately 2 weeks and blowing chunks of silicone goo.
Was the surgery worth it? Yes it was.

[bluemovesjenny]

My doc says he doesn't pack, so that's good. He also has very good reviews online and does this surgery every week. But I'm wondering --- will my nose be completely blocked for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery? Or will I have at least some ability to breath through my nose?

The reason I ask is because I take medication for a neuro-muscular disorder. The meds make me so tired that I can fall asleep within seconds of closing my eyes. But if I can't breath through my nose, and I can't manage to sleep with my mouth open, I think the sleep problem will turn into sleep torture after the surgery. I'm also in a great deal of pain from this condition, so not taking the meds for a few weeks is not an option.

If I can breath through my nose a little bit after surgery, I want to go forward. But if my nose will be completely blocked, I'm not sure if I can handle it. My medical problems already have me at my breaking point as far as stress, pain, sleep, etc. I want the surgery, but I'm greatly concerned about the ability to breath afterwards.

Thanks again,
Jenny

[Okie bipap]

If he doesn't pack, then he probably uses the splints. When I had my surgery several years ago, I was able to breathe through my nose with the splints in place. In fact, I breathed better with them in than I did before the surgery.

[dreamingofdreaming]

I just had this surgery in December. You'll breath so much better after. I had splints in, for just under a week.

[Hoosier Daddy]

I have been a lurker here for a couple years and I really wanted to reply to this thread, so I joined ! I had this surgery and for me it was the best thing I have ever done in my life ! I had a semi-blocked left sinus during the day and when I would lay down it completely closed on me, I didn't realize how badly this affected my life every day. I tried cpap about 12 years before the surgery but because of this sinus problem I could not tolerate it, so I stopped. I had the surgery and yes it was painful for a couple or 3 weeks, I think I slept in my recliner for the 1st week but once the scars healed I was in heaven ! I then had another sleep study and for some reason my apnea went way down from 35 to about 5 but my oxygen level was only 70% at sleep so I started on cpap again, I have to admit it has been a battle and I only go by what the resmed site says because I can't figure out the sleepy head stuff, but I believe after 18 months or so it is helping me and I don't know if I can sleep without it now. I have lost weight and even grown a little hair back LOL, but I also no longer feel extreme exhaustion all 24 hours in the day like I did before therapy. I'm sorry for rambling but I think the sinus surgery saved my life and I would hope you have the same results, good luck !!
John

[booksfan]

I can't speak to using CPAP after surgery because I wasn't formally diagnosed with sleep apnea until 3 months after my septoplasty/turbinate reduction. However, my doctor used splints and I was able to breathe better immediately after surgery than before. I was stunned. And once the splints were out, my nose was like a wind tunnel I had so much air flow! It was almost scary. Like others here, it was the best thing I ever did. I could not breathe lying down before unless I pulled on my face to stretch my nasal passage open and that only worked on one side. SO much better breathing now.

Good luck!