Septoplasty yesterday

dataq1 · Post by **dataq1** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:07 pm

I took the plunge, upon the advice of my pulmonologist, went to Cleveland Clinic and had the septoplasty and turbinate reduction done.
I was in the surgical center at 11am and left at 1:30. Doctor tells me operating time is about 20 minutes.
For those interested, Lots of red blood drainage for about 6 hours, the nose is very tender and stuffy.
Didn't sleep much last night, actually didn't want to as there was no way that I could use a mask and if I miss a night without my xPAP I get terrific headaches that usually develop to migraines.
This morning I feel as if I had the worst cold, stuffyness, headache (behind the eyes), weeping eyes, running nose (mostly clear), and sneezing, lots of sneezing.

The doc called my home last night to check on me, and his nurse called this AM. The nurse said the symptoms I described (above) are completely normal, just work through it for 48 hours post surgery.

My observation at this point, 26 hours after surgery, not so bad.

I'll post updates as needed and report on the removal of the stents that will be next monday.

By the way, I'm not expecting a "cure" for OSA, but trying to become a nose breather. If keeping my mouth closed helps or aids my OSA therapy that will be the reward.

Cheers,

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:11 pm

Boy, I admire your bravery. And yes, please keep reporting on your progress.

Are you taking pain medication?

dataq1 · Post by **dataq1** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:15 pm

Thanks,
Doc did give me tylenol with codine, but I haven't had to use it. Just using reg tylenol for the "cold-like" headache.
JUST DON"T TOUCH MY NOSE , very sensitive right now.

cajapato · Post by **cajapato** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:39 pm

Sounds like you have a very positive outlook and quite the fortitude to take the discomfort with reg tylenol. You'll be in my thoughts for a quick heal and positive outcome to the surgery.

jackr · Post by **jackr** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:05 pm

I have had it done twice. The first time was a deviated septum and perferation. I was a mouth breather for years and it took a few months but I became a nose breather and it was sooooo much better.

A couple of years after that I broke my nose and a couple of years later I went under the knife again. That was 15 years ago and I have been a nose breather ever since. It is not perfect as I breathe through one nostril at a time now for some reason and it switches up me. Rarely do I breathe through booth at the same time but I am fine with it.

It take a while for your nose to clear. And it is pretty disgusting at first but it cleared up just fine.

I couldnt imagine doing it and being on cpap. All the best to you!!

dataq1 · Post by **dataq1** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 8:49 am

Day two, post op.
Still feel like I've got a really bad cold. Other than the nose still being very tender, the most aggraviting part is not being able to blow my nose.
Oh, I could blow it alright, but run the risk of delaying the healing process.

As that is my chief complaint (the nose fullness) I consider myself blessed. I'm really anxious to strap on my mask ASAP.

bookwrm63 · Post by **bookwrm63** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:03 am

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Mary

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:23 pm

Is the doc having you do saline flushes?

Do those RELIGIOUSLY. Your healing will go MUCH better!

I have been down the major nose/sinus surgery and felt it was well worth it.

Eat lots of iron rich foods, I found I actually lost a significant amount of blood during recovery. Not bad, but a bit of iron can go a long way.

good luck on a speedy recovery

dataq1 · Post by **dataq1** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 6:04 pm

Thanks snork,
Doc has me doing saline spray for right now, maybe flushes will come later?
I'm thinking your referring to using a netti?
For right now, even the spray isn't going very far into the nose, just seems to keep the lower part moist.

Boy, What I'd give for a good nose blow!

frapilu · Post by **frapilu** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:47 am

Hi dataq1,

I'm delighted to see your post since I've just been scheduled for a septoplasty for April 30. No turbinate reduction, though, whatever that is. Perhaps that turbinate thing is why you can't use your mask? I asked the ENT if I could use my mask and he said I could; in fact, he wants me to bring it to the hospital for after the surgery. Because I have apnea, they're keeping me overnight to monitor me.

I'm also not expecting a cure for OSA but I'm hoping to get back to sufficient nose breathing so that I can go back to my beloved HC406 nasal mask. I now have to use a UMFF, which is the best of the FF masks for me, but I still hate it. I can't sleep on my back (leaks) nor my stomach (forehead spike) so I just roll from side to side. My shoulders are so sore the next morning.

I definitely want to follow how you're doing so keep us posted.

France

dataq1 · Post by **dataq1** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 1:31 pm

Hi Frapilu,
I DO hope that you will be able to wear your mask right after surgery!
I just talked with the doctors office (now 72 hours post-op) to confirm that they recommend that I NOT try to use my mask. Other than the irritation and discomfort of a really stuffy nose and some occasional drainage and needing to spray saline water into my nose five times a day, and not being "allowed" blow my nose for a week. Other than all that, my biggest "pain" is the headaches I get if I don't use my xPAP therapy ervery night.

The printed instructions I got after the septoplasty say the weight of eyeglasses may cause the septum to shift position. So they recommend that eyeglasses, if they must be worn within four weeks, should be taped to the forehead.

Also, avoid sucking on a straw, kissing, whistling and other such that cause the nose to be moved for a couple of weeks. You must also avaoid getting the nose bumped for a month.

All this sounds like they don't want any pressure or unnecessary movement. Since my FP mask seals at the bridge of the nose, that would cause a problem. Same is true for the UMFF mask I've got, and of course my hybrid would be the worst. So for now, I've got to suffer through XPAP-less nights.

Please don't let my situation scare you off, but do have your doc look at your mask and then decide. Hope it works out well.

A couple of other thoughts. Talking, frankly it was irritating to talk for the first two days after surgery, so have pencil and paper (or hand gestures) ready. The other big thing I forgot to mention was that eating was a problem for me. Either very soft or very crisp foods were OK, but anytrhing that required chewing was an irritant. A big pot of homemade soup kept me going for the first 48 hours.

Best of luck, Like you I'm hoping that the surgery will improve the effectiveness of my xPAP therapy.

Cheers,

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 1:55 pm

Wow! I've had several surgeries, but this is such a sensitive area!

My brother spent one Thanksgiving weekend having a similar surgery done, back in the mid-70's at the University of Michigan hospital. (His ENT/surgeon was teaching everyone else at the Medical School.) I believe he spent 2 nights in hospital, and looked TOTALLY miserable. How times have changed.

Of course, he doesn't react well to Demerol, as it makes him feel all-out lousy. I believe that is what he was given.

I am thinking of you. Just watching my brother have his surgery has truly put me off having my deviated septum repaired. I have a very high pain threshold (crowns done with no anesthesia), but that smarts just hearing about it!

Hang in there, and keep us posted. Please continue to have a very successful recovery and I'll say a little prayer for a wonderful end result.

Karen

frapilu · Post by **frapilu** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:02 pm

Hi dataq1,

Wow. But that's actually what I was expecting since I had talked to the doctor's reception about a month ago when I made my appointment to see the doctor to set up surgery. She had told me no CPAP for a week and no eyeglasses for a week. When I saw the doctor on Wednesday this week, I told him that I had asked his receptionist some questions and that I wanted to confirm the answers. For the CPAP & glasses, he stopped me and asked "exactly what operation do you want?" He explained to me that a simple septoplasty didn't require that stuff but that if I wanted him to also break my nose to straighten it on the outside too (which he told me didn't affect the breathing at all), then it would be more involved. But if all I wanted was to be able to breathe and use my cpap more effective, a simple septoplasty was enough and for that, he wanted me to bring my cpap to the hospital to use after the surgery and for overnight. I had even brought my mask with me but he didn't look at it. Now I'm worried. Hmmm.

I don't have my post-op instructions here with me at work but they seemed very short and straight-forward too. I'll look them over again later when I get home.

Thanks for the info & keep posting. Heal well!!!

France

frapilu · Post by **frapilu** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:22 pm

Linda,

I get very sick with anesthesia so I warned the doctor. He said to tell the anesthetist. I don't know if I've ever tried demerol so we'll see how I react. Wow, now I have 3 months to think about all this

France

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:39 pm

Frapilu,

You may want to ask to speak to the anesthetist or anesthesiologist ahead of time. Even by phone, that could be worthwhile.

Giving a bit of warning to the anesthesia service could save you some real misery.

Mask

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