Septoplasty/Turbine Reduction & Sleep Apnea

[fsmitty]

Yesterday, my ENT recommended that I go for a Septoplasty/Turbine Reduction surgery. She said that my turbines were enlarged and causing my severe nasal congestion. It is certainly is making it hard to use the Mirage Liberty mask. Since, I live by myself is it okay to have that type of surgery as an outpatient or should I insist on a hospital stay? I am not too sure what to expect from the surgery and am worried that it might be bad to spend the first night by oneself at home. The doctor does know that I have sleep apnea and said that they take special care what ever that means. Anyhow, she is going to talk to my sleep doctor. Any advice from people that have had the same surgery would be appreciated.

[ScrappinMom]

I personally would try to find someone to stay with me at least one night, after any kind of surgery. You'll need someone to drive you home, could that person maybe stay with you?

My husband had the turbinate reduction about 1 1/2 years ago. Just like after any general anesthesia, he needed someone there to help with meds, get drinks, help him in and out of bed to get to the restroom, etc.

[cflame1]

My ENT told me to either have somebody stay for 24 hours... or stay in the hospital for 23 hours. I picked the hospital as my friends are all married with kids... I really don't like intruding.

[Curious2]

Do you need actual surgery? I had coblation to shrink my turbinates--involved pumping in RF energy through a needle insured under the surface of the turbinate. Less damage to the surface and to the all-important cilia, etc. Also, no need for general anesthesia--over in a few minutes. ENT offered to do one side at a time, if I was worried about congestion during the healing, but I chose to have both sides done at once. There was increased congestion for a few days, but nothing that prevented me from breathing through my nose. Treatment was successful, and highly recommended for those who need it.

[cflame1]

I do... because what he's actually doing along with the Septoplasty/Bilateral Turbinoplasty is fixing the drainage in my sinuses. Trying to reduce the number of sinus infections that I've had in the past few years.

[ksp]

I had it done about a year ago and it helped a lot. You should probably either stay in the hospital or have someone to dote on you the first day. I stayed home form work a few days just because of the drainage and the guase under my nose. It really wasn't too painfull for me as I did not have to use pain pills after the first day or so. I would do it again.

[angela6]

I had turbinate surgery and a septioplasty in the middle of June. Surgery was on a thursday and friday I went in to have the plastic splints removed. I was given pain killers and antibiotics. I used one pain killer the first night to ease going to sleep. The ENT said to wait one week before using cpap. There was minimal blood staining the gauze placed under the nose for about two days. I did spend the night at someone's house "just in case" but nothing eventful happened.

I really didn't have any pain just a couple of days of uncomfortableness. There are several ways of getting rid of turbinates; I had them cut down and was told that they won't grow back like some other methods. My ENT said that the methods of dealing with nasal surgeries is quite advanced now as compared to twenty years ago. I did go back once a month for three months for the ENT to use a scope to look in the nose and make sure everything was going as expected. Nasal rinsing was suggested for me to do on a daily basis and I can really tell the difference. Nasal rinsing is safe to use daily and I get much less congestion during pollen season.

I was glad to have done the surgery.

[hrc54]

Hi-

I had mine on July 20. Turbinate reduction & Septoplasty at the same time. I had general anesthesia. It was REQUIRED by my insurance that i stay overnight in the hospital. No choice. After the operation & thru the evening I saw why. I needed an oxygen supplement to keep my oxygen at 96-97. You're weakened & the concern is that you'll get the required oxygen.

Bob

[fsmitty]

Just got off the phone with my ENT. Told them that since I live by myself that I wanted to have a 23 hour stay. they said that this would okay and for me to bring the CPAP machine. I am feeling a lot better that I will be under some observation after this surgery which is scaring me.