Hello all,
This is my first post on the forum, so apologies in advance if I have posted in the wrong place but I am still getting oriented!
My ENT recently recommended that I have a septoplasty and turbinate reduction after several months of tests, CT scans and having cameras shoved so far up my nose that they nearly came out of my mouth! (my ENT is very efficient!)
I have massively enlarged turbinates on both sides and a deviated septum..teamed with allergies and I'm pretty much congested, swollen or have a headache all the time.
I discussed options for somnoplasty/coblation with her, and she seemed to think that this would only offer me temporary relief from my congestion, headaches, facial pain and exterior nasal swelling associated with my enlarged turbinates.
My issue is that I had a reconstructive rhinoplasty 2 years ago and had a large amount of grafts put in my nose to "prop up" my nasal tip which had been crushed. Therefore I am VERY VERY wary about having anything done to my septum or anything that could compromise the structure of my nose as it is already very fragile.
I also don't want to have general anaesthetic if it can be avoided and wondered if many doctors are willing to do a turbinate reduction under local? If so, I may tell my doctor that I will have my turbinates reduced under local as opposed to a septoplasty and turbinate reduction under general.
I am just weighing up my options at the moment and would prefer to get optimum results for a minimal amount of invasiveness (if that is a word!)
Any advice or other reduction options would be greatly appreciated. Or if anyone is in a similar situation to me and would like to chime in that would be great.
Thanks,
Brady
Turbinate reduction concerns
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1
I say:
go have the surgery done, if you need it you need it. If you are that concerned go get a 2nd opinion from another ENT, insurance will normally pay for that 2nd opinion. Just ask how many of these procedures they have done, you want an experienced doctor.
CPAP will NOT work if you cannot breathe through your nose. Allergies only make your existing condition much worse, this year worst ever.
Turbinate reduction is no big deal, they cut the tissue, chisel or grind part of the bony structure away and stitch the tissue back over it, this makes for larger airway space so when the tissue swells from allergens you can still breathe.
Breathing from your mouth because you cannot breathe from your nose is hard on the lungs, those turbinates add heat and moisture and filter the incoming air destined for your lungs.
For the time being you need to research saline rhino rinsing using the Yoga method with a neti pot or other delivery method. That will flush out those allergens now in your nares and reduce swelling offering some relief. Use of drugs or steroids is only a short term solution, surgery and regular rhino rinsing is a long term solution.
go for the General, you don't want to wake up with your nose structure removed and them chiseling away at your bone. Tell them you suspect OSA and to keep your airway open during surgery, trust me they don't want you dying on their operating table.
You can get by with tissue surgery using a local but removing bone and cartilage you want to be knocked out for that.
I also wouldn't use that black belt boob surgeon from Hollywood
go have the surgery done, if you need it you need it. If you are that concerned go get a 2nd opinion from another ENT, insurance will normally pay for that 2nd opinion. Just ask how many of these procedures they have done, you want an experienced doctor.
CPAP will NOT work if you cannot breathe through your nose. Allergies only make your existing condition much worse, this year worst ever.
Turbinate reduction is no big deal, they cut the tissue, chisel or grind part of the bony structure away and stitch the tissue back over it, this makes for larger airway space so when the tissue swells from allergens you can still breathe.
Breathing from your mouth because you cannot breathe from your nose is hard on the lungs, those turbinates add heat and moisture and filter the incoming air destined for your lungs.
For the time being you need to research saline rhino rinsing using the Yoga method with a neti pot or other delivery method. That will flush out those allergens now in your nares and reduce swelling offering some relief. Use of drugs or steroids is only a short term solution, surgery and regular rhino rinsing is a long term solution.
go for the General, you don't want to wake up with your nose structure removed and them chiseling away at your bone. Tell them you suspect OSA and to keep your airway open during surgery, trust me they don't want you dying on their operating table.
You can get by with tissue surgery using a local but removing bone and cartilage you want to be knocked out for that.
I also wouldn't use that black belt boob surgeon from Hollywood
someday science will catch up to what I'm saying...
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1