Before the surgery, my allergies were terrible and I always had a sinus infection. After the surgery I have had no issues. I also perform a saline sinus flush at least once a day. I wish that I had went through with this surgery years ago, it makes that big of a difference. The only pain that I really experienced was when the splints were removed and that is due to me not taking pain meds before. Trust me, you want to take your pain meds before that.

Thanks for the response.
Did you have a spur ?
Did you have any of the nasal burning and runny nose with the deviated septum?
For the last 3 months I have times where all I do is sneeze and my just nose runs and of coarse this burninig sensation in my nasal passages.
I first thought it was the Cpap machine but now I thinking its from the deviated septum and bone spur.
Thanks for your encouragment I will keep an open mind.
thanks,
robing

It has been soooooo long since Ive been here.  I was just thinking about YOU and decided to come on and see if you were still around.

I hope this note finds you well.  I am still faithfully using my cpap and its certainly a godsend for sure.  Without it I get immediate head aches from lack of O2.  So I stick with it!  Is cool to hear your Dev.Sept.Surgery was such a sucess for you!  Thats great!  I am on Wed of this wk heading to Michigan for Gastric Bypass surgery.  Im hoping upon losing the weight I need to lose my Sleep Apnea will disappear! Gonna have to keep my fingers crossed on that one I guess.  And will likely have to be retested along my weightloss journey.  I really hope it stops the sleep apnea!  

Well, it is cool coming back here.  I had forgotten for a bit how it helped me coming here ...sharing with others who know what your going through is a very very useful and good thing to do when your struggling.  And my dear you have the gift of writing.  :)  I do hope you are keeping it up.  Let me know if you would like to chat sometime.  I would very much like to hear how things are going for you now....job....relationships...ect ect.

Take Care & Sleep Easy, Ti3

OK, my ENT wants to do all this at the same time: Tonsillectomy/Adenoidectomy, removal of sinus cyst (found on sinus CT) AND fix deviated septum.  Deviated septum will be done via endoscopy, sinus cyst will be done through my gums (he said that part would feel like a root canal for a couple days) and tonsillectomy normal.  The post-op instructions for the endoscopy and the tonsillectomy have several conflicts and I'm pretty worried.  Oh, did I mention that this is DAY SURGERY?  Oh yes, I'll be sent home in 3-4 hours afterward and including surgery day, I am taking 4 days off of work plus a weekend, so I'll have the surgery, then 5 days to recover and he says this will be fine.  I think this sounds pretty ridiculous and my head is going to spin off into another dimension and I'm going to wish I was dead.

Someone reply quick because this is scheduled for next Tuesday the 19th and I have a bad feeling about it... this just really sounds like too much at one time and I'm not comfortable with the recovery time.

HELP!  ''

~HOOK 'EM~

I had tonsillectomy, UPPP, turbinate reduction, deviated septum correction together, but I stayed at the hospital that night. My husband had all of the above plus genioglossus advancement. So I guess doing everything together is fine, though it did look too much to me at that time.

I too had surgery on a tuesday, I had to join a new place for work the following monday, it was a bit tiring, also couldn't talk much for a couple of weeks or so. My surgeon had advised me to work part-time the following week, but I couldn't afford to do it.

Wish you good luck

This is a really great thread with great info.  I am scheduled for septoplasty with turbinate resection on 9/9 and appreciate all the personal stories very much.  I have learned a lot and feel much more prepared (but still scared).

For Hookem (just above me) - I have a good friend who had the same roundup of surgeries done in a single procedure as you are having.  It was a lousy few days but he did not have any real complications and was glad it was over with.  He had the surgery on a Friday and took the whole next week off so he had a little bit longer recovery period.  He says he felt like he was rounding a corner by day 5 but was glad to have a few more days to recoup.  I have no advice to give on the procedures myself but you might make it easier on yourself if you can get just a bit more time off to rest up.  If not - maybe work part-time for a couple days?  I will be thinking of you on the 19th - and you have the comfort of knowing that it will all be behind you by end of the month!

Thanks for the replies.  

I decided to opt-out of the tonsillectomy this week and did the septum, sinus cyst and adenoids this week.  Man, am I glad I didn't do the tonsils too!  I have been in SO much pain.  The septum is by FAR the worst and they put these stents up my nose and just took them out friday afternoon, then I suddenly got really nauseated turned greenish-white and started sweating - no fun.    And I can't blow my nose, even still, and that's all I want to do... I've been cleaning it with saline spray and Q-tips, but I have to sniff everything back instead of blowing and that sucks.  I feel like I've coughed up a pint of blood since Tuesday and I don't know when that is supposed to end... or whether it's from my nose or from my adenoids?  My throat hurts so bad.  I'm not sure if hocking everything up (since I can't use my nose) is good for the adenoidectomy site.  I feel like I have strep, though I know everything is just uber-inflamed right now.  

But I'm on Day 6 of not smoking!  

And I have to go back to work tomorrow morning, Monday.  I may opt for a half day and then go back all the way on Tuesday.  Not sure how staring at a computer for 8+ hours is going to be right now.  We'll see!

Thanks again for all the info.  I can NOT imagine having to go through all this AND a tonsillectomy too.  Don't let your Dr.'s do this, peeps, unless you plan to take off at LEAST two weeks!  

I'm hoping none of this was in vain.  I've never had a problem with apnea or sleeping, just chronic sinusitis to the point where I was on antibiotics 5 times in 6 months this year.  Went to an allergist, got all the shots in the back and nothing.  Went to the ENT and he said this would fix it.  So far, I just feel like I have a sinus infection - lol!  The irony just kills me.

~HOOKEM~

Hi There - Glad to see your post and know the surgery is behind you now.  And congrats on those 6 days of not smoking!!  Whoo HA!!  It sounds like you have had a time of it and I sure hope the surgery ends the sinus battle.  Take it easy on yourself at work - maybe a couple half days?  Feel better as the week goes on!!

Joy

Hi all!

Alright, so I'm an 18 year old female who had septoplasty & rhinoplasty done two weeks ago today. I also had some polyps in the nasal cavities, and was extremely frightened when I read that they are basically tumours. DON'T FREAK OUT! Now being as young as I am, and having a huge fear of hospitals, my worry was about how I would feel/look after surgery. My surgeon was highly recommended, and his assistant was amazing. She would talk to me in her "appointment" office, and decorated on the walls were hundreds of thank you cards. I read each message, the majority of them thanking my doctor for his incredible work. My advice for those of you reading horror stories - KEEP POSITIVE. Read the most positive things you can get your eyes on, because if you think negative you'll psych yourself out and freak out over the little things. Okay so here's a diary of my last two weeks:

August 12th - Arrive at hospital for 6am. I had to get dressed in those thing paper hospital outfits (not particularly pleased). I was starving also, because I wasn't allowed food after midnight. Reached patient check-in point and got upto the waiting room. I'm petrified of needles I might add. When they stuck the IV into my hand the nurse was trying to distract me, and I knew what she was doing so that didn't help much. After the IV was in my hand, I felt like I had a giant bruise that someone kept pressing. I tried to keep a brave face on, and my mother was telling me it'd be over soon. My IV machine was named Evil. :) He wheeled around with me everywhere. After an hour had passed, the nurses called my name and placed me on this extremely comfortable bed. My mother had to leave at this point, so I kissed her goodbye. Evil and I were wheeled away. Unfortunately they brought me to this not-so-comfortable bed, where I layed face up for about 15 minutes. There was a male in front of me who was getting talked to by a doctor. We were all in the Operating Room Hallway. The male was getting his lung moved, and an incision in his chest. I honestly felt like my surgery was nothing compared to his.

Enter my anesthesiologist. Now they were originally going to keep me awake, and numbed during the surgery but my mother explained that I would have very bad anxiety, so I was put to sleep. When I was in the room, the anesthesiologist put morphine into Evil's tubing, and that is the last thing I remember. The doctor of course had written with marker on my nose to mark what he was going to be doing. I woke up dazed in a recovery room, but I was not opening my eyes. For me, the surgery had strengthened my other senses, especially my ears. I had a terrible recovery room experience, but nothing to do with pain.. mostly just other people. (If you'd like to know I'd be happy to tell you!)

To be honest with you, I didn't feel much of anything. I knew there was a cast on my face, and I knew I was drowsy (kind of dizzy). I could feel some sort of liquid building up in my nose. It would trickle down, and my mother would grab the nurse.. All I wanted to do was sleep in a bed.

The highway ride home from the hospital was a blur! I got home, and my older sister cried because she thought I was in so much pain. Again, I did not feel much of anything. I was put in my bed (I have no idea how). My mother and sister kept trying to talk to me. They even gave me a bell to ring incase I needed anything (Yes, I abused that bell..haha). It was very difficult to breathe at this point. I had gauze over my nostrils to stop the bleeding. For me, the sleeping part was the most uncomfortable part of the entire surgery. I got a maximum of 10hrs sleep during three evenings. I would wake up almost every hour. The rules after surgery were to sleep on your back, and only on your back. The bleeding continued the first night, and around 3am my mother had to change the gauze because it had magically fallen off somewhere in my bed.

I will post how the last two weeks have been, but not in as much detail.
Ask me any questions if you'd like.

Continued...

So I thought I should mention that during the surgery I stopped breathing twice. Don't worry, it's not as dramatic as it seems. I had never really known that I had a severe case of sleep apnea. My uncle has it, and he sleeps with a mask on. I thought most of my breathing problems had to do with asthma and my allergies. Anyhoo, I'll continue.

AUGUST 13TH:

Was able to eat. My sister made me eggs and toast for breakfast, and soup for lunch. I had plenty of fluids, but my favourite to drink was this fruit smoothie that basically cooled my throat, and tasted damn good. I HATED the gauze on my nose. I was told I could take it off in the afternoon- approx 24hours after surgery. I made a decision to simply not look at any mirrors. I was told that patients can become really depressed after surgery, and I wanted to keep my spirits high. I didn't feel much pain, but took naps frequently. I was able to watch some movies, and at some points I closed my eyes and listened to the movie. I did not like being too hot. I had an ice pack on the top of my head almost always. Going to sleep that night was of course a terrible experience. The gauze was off which made breathing slightly better.

AUGUST 14TH:

I peeked. I managed to get a good mirror look of myself, and was suprised because I was not black and blue. I was pale as hell though. I could see very faint discolouration under my eyes, and I was fed tylenol. I tried my best to stay off meds, and I was not allowed to take any type of blood thinner (i.e, advil). Blood thinners make swelling worse just so you know. The ice pack continuously was on my forehead. Every so often I'd feel slight pain in the nose.. sometimes I would scrunch without knowning and it would sting, but nothing terrible. The skin under my taped cast was beginning to become itchy. I was not allowed to bend over, and had to be very careful walking because there was still morphine in my system. My nurse assistant called daily to make sure I was alright. Sleep was frustrating.. I just wanted to be on my side, but I told myself I would regret it if I did so.

AUGUST 15TH-17TH:

You start to feel like your in a prison. You want to be up, and out living but your stuck, and need to get better. Lots and lots of fluids my friends. I developed a throat infection, and cancer sores ... which was worse then the nose pain at points. I remember a few headaches hear and there, but again I tried to stay off the meds. My swelling did not worsen! I was happy because there was absolouetely no black and blue. My eyes had yellow circles around them instead. On the 17th I participated in a family bbq, and was able to walk around. I also sneezed a total of 3 times during the recovery week, and it was not as life threatening as I thought it would be. In fact, I was not allowed to laugh but my best guy friend was continuously making me chuckle, and it simply felt like I was scrunching my nose, and only a fast sharp pain would occur. Went to bed early that night, I was so excited for Monday. I slept a good 6 hours.


AUGUST 18TH:  

CAST COMES OFF @ 1pm sharp!!!!! I went back to the hospital after 5 antogonizing hours of waiting. My sister was excited to see how I would look, and I was excited to get the stupid thing off my face. Lots of scratching. Now here's where I felt the most pain. The doctor first had to take the tape off, and this felt like a burning sensation.. picture waxing but slow waxing. The cast was practically glued on. My doctor used this scissor-like tool, and I felt like he was cutting into my face. I had tears in my eyes because it was so painful. He finally got that off, and I was trying to relax, but he wanted to take a look inside my nose to see how the healing was doing. A couple days back my sister washed off the blood that had been on my nose, and I wont lie.. occasionally I picked at a few scabs. Now when the doctor stuck the tool in my nose I could've cried all over again. I couldn't stay still, but eventually he got in there, checked, and was out. He told me I was healing beautifully, and that everything would heal up quick. I guess I have a high threshold of pain.

My nose was reshaped nicely, but it still showed intense swelling. It was not black and blue, but puffy. It also was sensitive to any touch. I could breathe a bit better, but it was still stuffy. I had the doctor check out my throat infection, and he told me to take more tylenol.

I wanted to go home and take a shower. The downside to this surgery is you are not allowed to shower, and believe me that's all you want to do after your hair is a ball of sweat. I got clean, and dressed up and went up to Pizza Hut with my sister. The swelling intensified, and I would continually ice it, but very very carefully.

I went back to work on the WEDNESDAY - AUGUST 20TH. Swelling was there, but again only the puffy swelling. Some people said they couldn't tell, but boy I could.

TODAY- AUGUST 26TH:

Well I have less than a week until I leave for University, so you can bet I'd be nervous about swelling. I have iced my nose almost everyday, upto 4 hours. The swelling is almost all gone, and the breathing is not particularly all there yet. My left side still needs to open up a little bit. It feels like there is a small bruise on my nose, but nothing more painful than that. I see some swelling still, but very little. I'm beginning to go outdoors more (I even went on a motorized scooter ride .. and raced for a little haha). I'm starting to feel alot better.

I should mention that my upper lip which is normally quite large became quite small during recovery time. If I try to stretch that area now it is very very tight. My face felt alot tighter today, and I'm not sure why that is. Other than that, I'm hoping the breathing starts to get a bit better.

This thread helped me quite a bit when I was researching in prep for my deviated septum surgery so I wanted to return the favor.  I had a septoplasty for a severly deviated septum (10 on a scale of 10 according to ENT) with turbinate reduction and some bone regrafting to stabilize the septum.   My surgery was last week (9/9) and today (9/16) I got the stents out so the procedure is fresh in my mind.  I found everything to be much easier then I expected.  My surgery was done in an outpatient "day-surgery" wing of a large hospital and I was there for a total of about 4 hours.  My doctor gave me nose stents with dissolvable stitches rather then packing and they were in place for a week.  I was instructed to use the Neil Meds nasal saline rinse 2 times a day starting the day after surgery and then swab my nose with neosporin.  I practiced before the surgery to make sure I knew how the saline rinses worked and was pretty regular about doing them.  My doctor prescribed Percocet for the pain and Keflex as an oral antibiotic.  (I would have asked for an oral antibiotic if none had been prescribed.)  I stopped pain meds after 2 days but finished the antibiotics (of course).

I am semi-retired and had the luxury of controlling my schedule so I did take it easy for the week following surgery.  If I had been working then I might have felt comfortable going to work by day 5 but not earlier.  The first day I was just groggy from the anaesthesia (they used a breathing tube) and I was generally sore the second day but able to get around well as long as I stayed quiet.  I have sleep apnea and did use my CPAP from the first night after surgery, but I switched from my Swift LT mask back to my old Mirage mask till the stent tubes came out since the Swift sits right in the nose.  I had some general drainage and discharge for 4-5 days but a lot of it ran through during those saline rinses so it was not as constant an issue as I expected.  The nose tubes stretch the nose and are a bit uncomfortable, but you do get used to it and they did not prevent me from doing anything.  My upper lip and top front teeth were sore for several days, but that has gone away at this point (7 days later).   I had been nervous this morning about having the nose tubes removed and that was also much easier then I expected.  They came out easily (bigger then I thought) with just a couple pinches around the dissolvable stitches. I think the use of the saline rinses helped smooth the way for their removal.  This afternoon my nose looks pretty much as it always did - swelling has gone down since the tubes were removed.  I was told to continue the saline rinses for several more weeks since that is the best way to clear out mucus buildup that might still be in the nasal cavity.  

So my bottom line advice is: 1) get the best ENT surgeon you can; 2) ask for an oral antibiotic if they don't automatically prescribe one; 3) use the saline rinse religiously; 4) take it easy for a several days afterwards, and 5) did I mention - get the very best ENT surgeon you can find.  

Lastly, I did not go into this surgery expecting it would have a significant effect on my sleep apnea.  I am going through orthodontics (again) as an adult now and as part of my treatment, my doctor suggested that getting my septum fixed might eliminate my mouth breathing/tongue thrusting (which pushed out my front teeth).  However, I have noticed that I need a LOT less air from the CPAP since the surgery. I am a bit reluctant to mention this because I don't know if it will hold up over time.  But I started with a CPAP Pressure 12 (AHI <5 at a 12 setting) and - with doctor's knowledge - have adjusted my CPAP down to pressure level 6 at this point with an AHI of < 2.   I have not yet lowered the pressure further, but will test it out as the internal swelling continues to go down in the next couple months and eventually get a formal sleep test to confirm.  Seeing this possible reduction makes me think that a serious effort to also lose weight may pay off finally.

So - if you need the surgery then dont let any fear of it get the best of you.  I should have done it ages ago and am most definetely glad I have done it now.  Just get the best doctor you can find and follow his advice.  I am in the Northern Virginia area and would be glad to refer my doctor to anyone in the area.

Best of Luck and thanks to everyone who shared their own experience - it really helped me a lot!!!!

Joy

Hi all,
I went to the DR.ENT on Monday 9/15 and after being examined I have deviated septum
and a septal spur.The ENT recommended having the spur removed and he will also correct the deviated septum.
Surgery date is not until 11/6/8.
I really appreciate your comments Joyful it is helpful.
I'm not near as apprehensive as before after reading your post.
I do not have to have packing or splints.
I will update when the surgery is complete.
thanks,
robing

Just a note to wish you good luck - I will check back in as your surgery gets closer. I am glad to help quell fears cause I put my surgery off way too long from unnecessary fear.  For a relatively short period of a little discomfort - the payoff can be quite significant!!  By the holidays your surgery will be all behind you!!

Cheers!

Joy

P.S.  I looked back at your earlier posts about a burning feeling in your nose with CPAP.  I had that issue until I got the heated humidifier so I want to make sure you have tried that (some people only seem to use the passover humidifiers but the heated ones are way more effective at delivering humidity.)  It wont address a deviated septum or bone spur, but it could be a tool to make the CPAP more comfortable long term.

I would do it again in a heartbeat!  My surgery was 9 days ago.  I had no pain and the only discomfort I had was a nose that felt 100% congested until the splints were removed.  I had quite a bit of heavy congestion prior to the surgery, so that part wasn't a biggie.   The whole thing was a walk in the park.  No pain, very little drainage.  I could not breathe through my right nostril before the surgery and now I'm getting a good air flow through both nostrils.  The doc removed the splints yesterday and there was not pain involved with that either.  My husband told me this morning that he hasn't heard me snoring.  WOOO HOOOO!
I highly recommend this surgery if you have any sinus problems.

Hey jubreu,
Thanks for the post I'm glad I made the decision to have the surgery.
I will keep you posted.
Thanks,
Robing