Question to those who have had successful rhinoseptoplasty

[McSleepy]

Prior to surgery, I could never breathe out of both sides of my nose at the same time. At night, I had to find out which side was clogged and then sleep on the opposite side. Prior to the surgery, sinus infections two or three times a year was the norm. Now, I seldom have sinus infections (less than once a year). It is easier to breathe during the day as well as at night.

This is precisely where I sit, I have an appointment coming up with a surgeon and I know it can get better if I go under the knife.

Sorry for intruding on this thread, just don’t often find someone that shares the exact same symptoms.

No problem, you are very much on-topic. I'm just not sure what exactly gives you the confidence that you can get better. My modest research so far indicates that there is a better chance of improving than not, but since my condition is not really bad, I don't know if I should take the chance, even if it is relatively small. Even my ENT surgeons feel the prognosis is nowhere near 100%. My problem is, if there is a small but realistic chance to actually get worse (septal perforation, empty-nose syndrome, etc.), whether it's worth the attempt.

I appreciate all of you sharing your experiences!

McSleepy

[jpop]

No problem, you are very much on-topic. I'm just not sure what exactly gives you the confidence that you can get better. My modest research so far indicates that there is a better chance of improving than not, but since my condition is not really bad, I don't know if I should take the chance, even if it is relatively small. Even my ENT surgeons feel the prognosis is nowhere near 100%. My problem is, if there is a small but realistic chance to actually get worse (septal perforation, empty-nose syndrome, etc.), whether it's worth the attempt.

I appreciate all of you sharing your experiences!

McSleepy

I’m always optimistic, and in part believe it’s a predictor of outcomes. I also have a high level of confidence in the surgeon i’ll be seeing at Cleveland Clinic. In my case it’s believed to be thickening and scar tissue from multiple traumas to the septum, and internal nasal valve issues. I can find temporary relief by pulling my cheeks away from my nose as well as gently lifting the tip of my nose. A gentle 1/8th” lift to my nose tip is enough to prevent the nasal valves from collapsing.

So yes, I’m pretty confident this will work although I’m not sure how they will opt to correct it. From my research the below video is along the lines of what I expect.

https://youtu.be/GuhsTfH904o

[McSleepy]

I’m always optimistic, and in part believe it’s a predictor of outcomes. I also have a high level of confidence in the surgeon i’ll be seeing at Cleveland Clinic. In my case it’s believed to be thickening and scar tissue from multiple traumas to the septum, and internal nasal valve issues. I can find temporary relief by pulling my cheeks away from my nose as well as gently lifting the tip of my nose. A gentle 1/8th” lift to my nose tip is enough to prevent the nasal valves from collapsing.

So yes, I’m pretty confident this will work although I’m not sure how they will opt to correct it. From my research the below video is along the lines of what I expect.

https://youtu.be/GuhsTfH904o

Thank you! When is your surgery? Please, keep us posted on how it goes.

McSleepy

[jpop]

Thank you! When is your surgery? Please, keep us posted on how it goes.

McSleepy

Thanks, MC!

No scheduled surgery yet, just the initial visit. The surgeon who did my septonasalplasty 25-30 years ago who has since become a good friend, did a brief exam and said I should really get it taken care of. He was of the belief it can be cleaned up a great deal and fix the upper nasal valve issue. Of course, I don't want him cutting on me despite him being more than competent, just need to wait for a plan from the other surgeon. Who knows, they may be of a completely different mindset as well.

[McSleepy]

Thanks, MC!

No scheduled surgery yet, just the initial visit. The surgeon who did my septonasalplasty 25-30 years ago who has since become a good friend, did a brief exam and said I should really get it taken care of. He was of the belief it can be cleaned up a great deal and fix the upper nasal valve issue. Of course, I don't want him cutting on me despite him being more than competent, just need to wait for a plan from the other surgeon. Who knows, they may be of a completely different mindset as well.

Oh, now I understand - you had the septoplasty earlier, but you are now considering a nasal-valve surgery. Out of several ENT/surgeons I've seen, only two (who are affiliated) feel I need my nasal valves corrected. Not that my valves don't collapse - they do; but it's not my main problem right now because I use the Breeze dilator pillows and, combined with the high pressures, they keep the valves open. When I wake up from breathing difficulties, I find I can barely move air through my nose, and it's not the valves.

Have you tried nasal dilators? If not, I am doing an experiment that you may be interested in. I recently tried a DreamWear mask and just couldn't use it. I suspect the problem was the collapse of the valves. I have some nasal dilators on order and I will try the DreamWare with those in place and see if it makes a difference. I'm happy with the Breeze, but it being discontinued, I'd like to have some alternatives.

McSleepy

[jpop]

Have you tried nasal dilators? If not, I am doing an experiment that you may be interested in. I recently tried a DreamWear mask and just couldn't use it. I suspect the problem was the collapse of the valves. I have some nasal dilators on order and I will try the DreamWare with those in place and see if it makes a difference. I'm happy with the Breeze, but it being discontinued, I'd like to have some alternatives.

McSleepy

Hey MC, Thanks.

To date, I have only tried the breathe right strips and they seem to do OK. They don't ever let me stop breathing from both nostrils, but quite often the one closest to the pillow.

I also do some other tricks to clear my sinuses, a Navage rinse to irrigate whatever gunk I can clear out of my sinuses, and pulling my jaw forward to promote any other drainage I can clear. Nothing gets to a point I feel clear and no matter how diligent I am I get congested and have the nasal collapses from time to time.

I do have a bit of anxiety over the surgeon I will be seeing, as from his profile video he does some very major reconstruction for cancer patients and other unthinkable trauma. I suspect his skills may vastly be beyond my needs and I'm fostering some insecurities about keeping from someone who needs more critical care than myself.

[dreamingofdreaming]

I had a Septoplasy and Turbinate reduction this past December. I guess I breathed ok while upright. It was hard to breath lying down. I use to get sinus infections a lot. It’s amazing how much better I can breath now. I use to always have a post nasal drip and would constantly have to clear my throat. Rhinoplasty is a different thing. They break bones during rhinoplasty. I didn’t have that.

[McSleepy]

It was of no value to me at all.

The only difference I noticed was that when I shower now water can run down the back of my nasal passage and it never did before.
However, the volume of air I can get through my nose has NOT changed. Unless I am calm, ...if I am in anyway short of breath, then I cannot breath in through my nose and out through my mouth successfully - not enough air.. need oxygen.. gasp!

.. and 6 years after the nasal surgery to enlarge the nasal passageways.. I am definitely saying: It didn't work for me.

Caveat: there are millions of different noses, you may well have a successful experience.

I just wanted to clarify something: since you only mention obstruction with high activity, and sleeping is as calm as it gets: do you get more obstructed when you sleep, to the point where you have to get up and do something about it? Because I am about to figure out what could be a good solution, from which you may be able to benefit from, and so I know if I should keep you informed.

McSleepy

[McSleepy]

Hey MC, Thanks.

To date, I have only tried the breathe right strips and they seem to do OK. They don't ever let me stop breathing from both nostrils, but quite often the one closest to the pillow.

I also do some other tricks to clear my sinuses, a Navage rinse to irrigate whatever gunk I can clear out of my sinuses, and pulling my jaw forward to promote any other drainage I can clear. Nothing gets to a point I feel clear and no matter how diligent I am I get congested and have the nasal collapses from time to time.

I do have a bit of anxiety over the surgeon I will be seeing, as from his profile video he does some very major reconstruction for cancer patients and other unthinkable trauma. I suspect his skills may vastly be beyond my needs and I'm fostering some insecurities about keeping from someone who needs more critical care than myself.

I have no problems with my sinuses (anymore, as my signature suggests), but my turbinates do swell to the point of complete blockage. If you don't have that problem and the nasal-valve collapse is your only problem now, you may benefit from that surgery. I wouldn't worry about taking the surgeon's time - if he were too busy, he wouldn't have offered. And, after all, being unable to breathe may actually be more serious (i.e., life-saving) than a cosmetic restoration. The only question should be, do the advantages outweigh the risks sufficiently.

On a different note, I got the nasal dilators yesterday and I feel they can be very helpful to someone with nasal-valve collapse. It'll only cost you $10-15 to try. I am now working on a contraption that may be an acceptable solution to my problems. Still ironing out the kinks, but if it works, I'll present here a detailed report. I'm very encouraged as last night it did the job on my right side (the more obstructed one), but I'm waiting on the left side NPA (two sizes bigger) to arrive. The solution is not for the faint of heart, but if one is desperate enough (like me), it could be a life-saver.

McSleepy

[McSleepy]

I had a Septoplasy and Turbinate reduction this past December. I guess I breathed ok while upright. It was hard to breath lying down. I use to get sinus infections a lot. It’s amazing how much better I can breath now. I use to always have a post nasal drip and would constantly have to clear my throat. Rhinoplasty is a different thing. They break bones during rhinoplasty. I didn’t have that.

Thank you for your feedback! Do you feel a great improvement? It is a bit soon to judge the success, though, as my turbinate reductions lasted almost a year each, but after that the pesky conchae enlarged right back up! Keep us informed, please!

McSleepy

[jpop]

On a different note, I got the nasal dilators yesterday and I feel they can be very helpful to someone with nasal-valve collapse. It'll only cost you $10-15 to try. I am now working on a contraption that may be an acceptable solution to my problems. Still ironing out the kinks, but if it works, I'll present here a detailed report. I'm very encouraged as last night it did the job on my right side (the more obstructed one), but I'm waiting on the left side NPA (two sizes bigger) to arrive. The solution is not for the faint of heart, but if one is desperate enough (like me), it could be a life-saver.

Hey MC, Thanks!

If I could have a Nasal Dialator disguised as a nose ring, I would wear it all day.

As for the surgeon I'm visiting, it's not as much cosmetic stuff that he does but rather full-blown reconstructions for people who have lost their sinus cavities to cancer or some other heavy trauma. Not much I could do about it now anyway, and it looks like there are two other surgeons that can perform nasal valve and turbinate surgeries at the main campus, just fortunate to have this kind of facility in my backyard.

Keep the faith MC!

[McSleepy]

I'm still working on this but it seems like it won't work for me and I'm now leaning towards getting a septoplasty (no valve correction or otherwise messing with my nose!) So, I got those nasopharyngeal airways and modified them so that they can be used with my nasal-pillows mask. I adjusted the length (by gradually reducing it) and the airflow is sufficient to breath through them. Even the discomfort level of having them in there all night is acceptable, and that's without even using the lidocaine gel that my ENT recommended. The problem I can't seem to be able to resolve is that the irritation from the tubes touching the top of the soft palate and the pharynx causes excessive formation of mucous and while during inhalation that's not a problem, during exhalation there is a gurgling sensation that is disturbing my sleep. Of course, the main indication that I should get the surgery is that my nasal passages are so narrow that I could barely fit the smallest NPA made - 20Fr (and 24Fr in my other nostril). Normal sizes are above 30Fr, especially for a large male specimen like me.

IMG_8259.JPG (556.31 KiB) Viewed 3478 times

jpop, the nasal dilators I use (on the photo) can be worn all day, and they won't even show, so - better than a nose ring! There is also another model available that is solid, i.e., not made of rings like mine. They are cheap (~$10 for a box of multiple sizes), so you should try them. I could wear those all day and they open my nostrils much better than breath-right strips.

I'll post an update, if I make any progress.

McSleepy