Just had septoplasty and need advice please

[lilasmom]

On 11/13, I had a septoplasty, turbinate reduction and a nasal aral suspension. I'm not feeling that well now and could use some post op advice from others who have had these procedures done recently. I've called the doc and spoke with the nursing assistant and she wasn't very helpful. My face is swollen from my eyes to my jaws, with my eyes bruised. My teeth are hurting terrible. When I asked the nurse what to do about the painful teeth, she just said it will go away eventually, not anythign I could do to help it. I'm still bleeding, but less than yesterday. I spend my nights, wiping my bloody nose, changing packing in front of it or when I get desperate rolling a little tissue in each nostril to sleep. I've been using the neti pot and a saline spray 3 times a day and the water doesn't go over to the other side. I coughed in the shower and a huge blood clot came out. I was told to blow my nose starting the day after surgery, does this mean I should be blowing my nose ? I don't have any packing or splints. I'm allergic to steriods so I was given Ketorlac 10 mg. I've been putting ice packs/wet clothes on my eyes and nose area. My top lip and area around it are still numb. I've read that some people have taken sudaphed to help with swelling, is that a good idea. Ibuprofen would be bad becasue of the increased bleeding? I'm scheduled to go back to work on Friday and as of now I don't see how that's possible. My doctor made it seem like this is no big deal, pre op. Maybe if I could take steroids I would be better? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[49er]

On 11/13, I had a septoplasty, turbinate reduction and a nasal aral suspension. I'm not feeling that well now and could use some post op advice from others who have had these procedures done recently. I've called the doc and spoke with the nursing assistant and she wasn't very helpful. My face is swollen from my eyes to my jaws, with my eyes bruised. My teeth are hurting terrible. When I asked the nurse what to do about the painful teeth, she just said it will go away eventually, not anythign I could do to help it. I'm still bleeding, but less than yesterday. I spend my nights, wiping my bloody nose, changing packing in front of it or when I get desperate rolling a little tissue in each nostril to sleep. I've been using the neti pot and a saline spray 3 times a day and the water doesn't go over to the other side. I coughed in the shower and a huge blood clot came out. I was told to blow my nose starting the day after surgery, does this mean I should be blowing my nose ? I don't have any packing or splints. I'm allergic to steriods so I was given Ketorlac 10 mg. I've been putting ice packs/wet clothes on my eyes and nose area. My top lip and area around it are still numb. I've read that some people have taken sudaphed to help with swelling, is that a good idea. Ibuprofen would be bad becasue of the increased bleeding? I'm scheduled to go back to work on Friday and as of now I don't see how that's possible. My doctor made it seem like this is no big deal, pre op. Maybe if I could take steroids I would be better? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Hi lilasmom,

If you're concerned and it sounds like you have good reason to be, I would ask to speak to the doctor to make he/she doesn't think you could come in for an exam. Be persistent and don't take no for an answer.

That is interesting you were told to blow your nose after surgery. I wasn't allowed to blow mine after my septoplasty for 4 weeks. I had splints for a week but because I had a turbinate reduction, septoplasty, and nasal valve prolapse repaired, doc wanted me to wait that long.

Anyway, call your doc so you can get your concerns addressed.

I hope you feel better soon.

49er

PS - When you spoke with the NA, was she relaying what the doc told her? Sorry I forgot to ask you that question. If the answer is yes, then I would simply make an appointment to see the doctor so you can express your concerns. Otherwise, my advice to speak to him/her on the phone first stands.

[LSAT]

I had none of your problems when I had my procedure. I agree with 49er...Call and speak to the doctor.

[jnk...]

To echo the other posters . . .

There are a variety of ways such surgeries can be performed, and some doctors actually customize the nature of the surgeries to each patient. So, unfortunately, unless you knew someone who had the exact same condition(s) as you and the exact same surgery done the exact same way by the exact same doctor, the experiences of other patients may not be of much use to you in figuring out what to expect or how to proceed.

I find it helpful to write down my question(s) for doc and staff beforehand so that when I call I can be as specific as possible.

Hope you are feeling better soon and feeling all the hoped-for benefits from the procedure.

[Janknitz]

My doctor made it seem like this is no big deal, pre op.

No big deal to him/her! Very big deal to you!!!

[musculus]

On 11/13, I had a septoplasty, turbinate reduction and a nasal aral suspension. I'm not feeling that well now and could use some post op advice from others who have had these procedures done recently. I've called the doc and spoke with the nursing assistant and she wasn't very helpful. My face is swollen from my eyes to my jaws, with my eyes bruised. My teeth are hurting terrible. When I asked the nurse what to do about the painful teeth, she just said it will go away eventually, not anythign I could do to help it. I'm still bleeding, but less than yesterday. I spend my nights, wiping my bloody nose, changing packing in front of it or when I get desperate rolling a little tissue in each nostril to sleep. I've been using the neti pot and a saline spray 3 times a day and the water doesn't go over to the other side. I coughed in the shower and a huge blood clot came out. I was told to blow my nose starting the day after surgery, does this mean I should be blowing my nose ? I don't have any packing or splints. I'm allergic to steriods so I was given Ketorlac 10 mg. I've been putting ice packs/wet clothes on my eyes and nose area. My top lip and area around it are still numb. I've read that some people have taken sudaphed to help with swelling, is that a good idea. Ibuprofen would be bad becasue of the increased bleeding? I'm scheduled to go back to work on Friday and as of now I don't see how that's possible. My doctor made it seem like this is no big deal, pre op. Maybe if I could take steroids I would be better? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Is the swelling due to an infection or allergic reaction? I have had similar procedure done and had no such experiences.

[lilasmom]

Thank you for the responses. I called back and left a detailed message. My call wasn't returned until after 6pm that night, I of course missed it. I called back the next day and tha NA made me an appointment for today with a PA. I went in and they were very surprised at the amount of swelling I have. I saw the NA and she had the nerve to say "I'm so glad I was able to get you in today". If looks could kill. Anyway, the inside of my nose is a disaster, per my doctor. Suggested going on a steroid and I said ok. I can live with the flashing for a few months if it heals my face! They put me in an antibiotic and will see me back in a few weeks. He numbed the inside of both nostrils and tried to suck out some junk, nothing came out though. He said this was a bump in the road and I should still expect a full recovery. I hope so, I'm so over this. Anyway, I wanted to thank you for the responses, it's what made keep calling back. Thank you!

[49er]

Thank you for the responses. I called back and left a detailed message. My call wasn't returned until after 6pm that night, I of course missed it. I called back the next day and tha NA made me an appointment for today with a PA. I went in and they were very surprised at the amount of swelling I have. I saw the NA and she had the nerve to say "I'm so glad I was able to get you in today". If looks could kill. Anyway, the inside of my nose is a disaster, per my doctor. Suggested going on a steroid and I said ok. I can live with the flashing for a few months if it heals my face! They put me in an antibiotic and will see me back in a few weeks. He numbed the inside of both nostrils and tried to suck out some junk, nothing came out though. He said this was a bump in the road and I should still expect a full recovery. I hope so, I'm so over this. Anyway, I wanted to thank you for the responses, it's what made keep calling back. Thank you!

Wow, I am so sorry lilasmom. I only called my surgeon's office one time post operatively as the rest of the communication was online since I didn't require an immediate response. He called me back in the early afternoon as I never was passed off to an assistant. Makes me feel very fortunate.

I wish you all the luck in the world.