HELP! Has anyone had Septoplasy and turbinate reduction

[Cossette]

Hello Everyone-

I am newly diagnosed with sleep apnea - this is quite the challenge as you all know. I am planning on having Septoplasy and turbinate reduction as I was told by ENT specialist that on a scale of 1-10 - I rank at around an 8-9 (10 being the worst). I would like to hear about the pros and cons of this surgery by those of you who have experienced it. Also - I know that not all surgeons are created equal - and I'm wondering about how to do a good search of one. I am presently living in Long Beach, CA. Thanking you in advance for your help.

[aka fuzzy 96]

in the search window in thw upper left type in septoplasty you should find a ton of threads. grab some milk and cookies cuz ya got lots a readin to do.
good luck

[MoonBear]

Chec ou the Stanford Sleep department. There is a doctor Li (I think) who appears to be THE guy regarding sleep apnea surgeries. His testimonials are unbelievable, and I would see him if I could. Good luck. MoonBear

[Cossette]

Yes - you would think I would go through boxes of cookies and quarts of milk - BUT - when I typed in "Septoplasy" in the upper left corner I got only 7 matches and none of then addressed my question - any more suggestions?

[msla]

As an answer to 1/2 of your question, I had a septoplasty due to a deviated septum. When my nasal tissues would swell up, the septum pressed against the turbinate and cause a "hemispheric" headache. I would do the surgery again. I used to get very stuffed up in the affected nostril. Later I was diagnosed with apnea. During those years pre-surgery and pre-diagnosis, the headaches were debilitating. I feel that there was a synergistic effect with the two issues. Now my body/brain has "learned" that if I am going to have a headache, one of those miserable ones is the way to go. I cannot speak to the turbinate reduction.

Rolf

[andyw715]

I had septoplasty done as well for deviated septum along with turbinate reduction. Wand colbalation. I also had my sinuses roto rooted and my tonsils/adnoids removed.

As far as recovery, I really don't think the nasal surgery caused much pain, as most of it was due to the tonsils. I wounldn't expect more than 1 or 2 days of downtime if I ever had to do again.

[SleepingUgly]

Here is a thread I wrote about my surgery (septoplasty, turbinate reduction, and tonsillectomy):

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=53157&p=515188&hili ... al#p515188

In retrospect I should have kept updating it in the original post, as I did here:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=53426&p=495409&hili ... ly#p495216

Most of the information about recovery in that second link has to do with the tonsillectomy, as the nasal surgery was a piece of cake.

I don't think it is necessary to pay out of pocket for Dr. Li for a surgery like that, assuming you do a bit of leg work and make sure your surgeon is competent and that you're comfortable with what he/she will do.

[Cossette]

Thank you all for sending me your replies - I quess what I was most wanting to hear/know - is that the surgery had a good - maybe even great result - and that it improved your breathing and reduced your apnea - surgery is something to be avoided - however if it can really improve my quality of life - than I would do it. I am just nervous about going under the knife - and surgeons don't always talk about the things that can go wrong.

Thanks again!

[SleepingUgly]

I don't know how much is known about whether septoplasty reduces apnea. It should make you better able to tolerate CPAP, and more than that, it's hard to say.

I haven't had a repeat sleep study yet myself, plus I had the tonsillectomy, so even if I'm improved, we won't know whether it was due to the nose or the throat surgery. I can breathe much better from my nose.

[elena88]

Hi S.U..

when do you think you might have a new sleep study? Are you feeling better? sleeping better? Less daytime sleepiness?


are you wearing your cpap now, or have you still some healing to do?

[SleepingUgly]

Elena, thanks for your questions, reminding me to update my progress on my surgery thread... Hope to do that soon!

[mgrunk]

turbinate reduction surgery 5 years ago - best thing I've ever done for myself. Went from having colds that turned into URI's that lasted months of not being able to breathe through my nose w/o afrin and triggering severe asthma attacks, to normal 3 - 5 days colds. I am in love w/ being able to breathe through my nose. I would rate the scale about a 2 or 3. I felt like I had been punched in the nose this time - not a knock out punch but more sore when it was touched. The swelling was rough for 5 days or so.

[skylark40]

I had this surgery for deviated septum about 10 years ago and it was no big deal. Felt a little silly with the bandage across the bottom of my nose, and it hurt a bit, but nothing intolerable. I certainly seem to breathe easier since it was done.

[jonquiljo]

I had my lower palate reduced 14 years ago - but it was my upper airway that was the problem (stupid doctor!). I am wondering the same thing - i.e. - most of my problem is from not being able to get decent airflow through my nose even when I am awake.

Will clearing that out surgically perhaps make it better to the point where CPAP may not be needed?

I rarely get OA's - mostly hypopneas - now none with CPAP blowing air into my nose. It seems like it would do the trick. But how to find a good Dr. who really knows what they are doing? They all like to do surgery, but don't think about why a great deal of the time.

[bunty]

I had this surgery done about 6 months ago and it was the best thing I did , I can now use the pillar mask and keep my mouth closed. There is no knife used at all It is all lazer now ,they kept me overnight in the hospital because of my sleep apnea, I did not use a mask for a few nights after,no more stuffy nose and no more headaches,I would recomend it for sure,