does surgery for deviated septum help?

natalian wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 24, 2019 4:15 pm

When I was diagnosed with a deviated septum I was advised that the only possible treatment was surgery. However, the side effects of the surgery are apparently pretty bad so the advice given to me was that it would be better to live with the deviated septum than to have it operated on. Ultimately, therefore, I think it comes down to a question of whether the side effects would be better or worse than the status quo.

What are the side effects?

Side effects ? Other than a couple of weeks of recovery, a competent ENT and anesthesiologist can fix your nose and improve your life, maybe dramatically.


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bigjack711 wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 25, 2019 12:03 pm

Other than a couple of weeks of recovery, a competent ENT and anesthesiologist can fix your nose and improve your life, maybe dramatically.

Yep, but recovery shouldn't be a couple of weeks. I've more than one friend who went back to work after two full days of recovery. They were cautioned about bending over to lift something heavy for two weeks due to the chance of nosebleed.

Thank you, all, for sharing your experiences! I'm not the OP but I started a similar thread earlier. I am now scheduled for May 31st for surgery and will let you know how it went. One reason it took me so long to decide was that all ENT/plastic surgeons that I've consulted, including the one who will be operating on me, have been very tentative in their responses to downsides: their estimate of probability of success is rather low (they all say something like "we think you may benefit from this surgery"), they all warn against a possible septum perforation (which would require another surgery), and of "empty nose syndrome", and they all admit a good chance of recurrence. This is why it was so important for me to hear all those favorable views here and - really - no true negative experiences. I know - a dozen cases does not make a statistically significant argument, but it sure is better than any random subjective opinions you find online. The ENT I chose is also a prominent plastic surgeon, so I think I'm in good hands (and - yes, my insurance - car and home, not health - is Allstate! )

McSleepy

I’m sure he/she will do a great job. Good luck and let us know how it goes !


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Post operative nasal drip is apparently the most common side effect.

I had a septoplasmy & turbinite reduction in 2017 & I hadn’t been diagnosed with sleep apnea (I noticed my nose was wonky & went to the drs & they saw one side was fully blocked so sent me to a consultant who operated). I was diagnosed with sleep apnea a few months ago so I’d say it’s made no difference to me.

Zokaluse wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 25, 2019 4:39 pm

I had a septoplasmy & turbinite reduction in 2017 & I hadn’t been diagnosed with sleep apnea (I noticed my nose was wonky & went to the drs & they saw one side was fully blocked so sent me to a consultant who operated). I was diagnosed with sleep apnea a few months ago so I’d say it’s made no difference to me.

Those are not surgeries for obstructive sleep apnea. Their purpose is to allow a person to breathe better through the nose. Nasal breathing is healthier than mouthbreathing. Your surgeries should have also made CPAP easier and more effective.

With obstructive sleep apnea, the blockage is in the throat between the tongue and soft palate. It's explained here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af0d_8wnEPI&t=98s

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 26, 2019 7:59 am

Their purpose is to allow a person to breathe better through the nose. Nasal breathing is healthier than mouthbreathing. Your surgeries should have also made CPAP easier and more effective.

And that is the fact of the matter! I had nose surgery before cpap. Made little to no difference in snoring, and no difference in what I now know are sleep apnea symptoms.
But it no doubt makes a BIG difference in cpap therapy as I can use a nasal type mask now. There was little chance I could have done that before. Since I found the nasal masks so much more comfortable to use, I have no doubt that nose surgery will help cpap users in most cases.

Just do it if you need it. I waited way too long.....

What Shelby said. My experience exactly.

Not a cure for SA, but enables me to tolerate PAP after 2 failed tries. Changed my life for the better, not sure I’d even still be alive if I hadn’t done Stanford protocol and started with nose.

And I got a little rhinoplasty I kinda always wanted at a discount to boot . Find a double board certified OTO/Plastic. Krista Olsen at Baylor/Methodist in Houston is fabulous.


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Correcting a deviated septum and a follow up turbinate reduction helped my breathing significantly. No regrets. It improved my awake hours immensely. Still need CPAP for sleep. Good luck.

Pre and Post-Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction:

Feb 8 - Apr 25

• Diagnosed with 59 AHI
• Started CPAP
• AHI, Usage and Sessions all over the place
• Pure torture

Apr 26 - May 16, (Pre-Septoplasty and T. Reduction)

• Took a Break from CPAP

May 17 - Jun 23, (Pre-Septoplasty and T. Reduction)

• Tried CPAP again, with Nasal Pillows
• Still couldn't tolerate CPAP

Jun 24 - Oct 14

• Went off CPAP Therapy
• Waited for Septoplasty and T. Reduction (and recovery)
• Slept in sitting position

Oct 15 - Present, (Post-Septoplasty and T. Reduction)

• CPAP Therapy successful
• 210 day continuous and counting
• Session and Usage consistent
• With the help of CPAPTalk, pressure is dialed-in
• AHI Improves from 3.69 (Mar 2019) to 0.35 (current)
• Note increased minimum reduced maximum machine needed to get to

Had it not been for the surgery, I'd still be sleeping sitting up|

Amen. In good competent surgical hands at a Tier 1 hospital, there’s almost zero downside here.

And if Chicago Granny says it’s OK, that’s all you need to know. She’s been a blessing and a source of knowledge here for a long time.

Do your own DD, get the best doc and hospital you can and just do it.


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I was diagnosed with moderate OSA in 2015 but have remained untreated for years since i cannot keep the mask on at night. I am more and more ever tired.

I have a stuffy nose all the time. I use Flonase spray and wear a Breathright strip at night, sometimes the clear one during the daytime when it annoys me. It helps but it isn't good enough, especially at night.

I was offered deviated septum surgery two years ago. I would love to go forward with it, but I have a mortal fear of general anesthesia and fear of not waking up , and also fear of being unable to observe or react to what's happening to me. It has not helped reading more about it, since I understand now that general anesthesia is actually a medically induced coma, though a temporary, reversible one. Maybe.

General anesthesia is much safer, now that they realize
the patient needs to be kept warm for best recovery.