Surgery for deviated septum (kind of long)

[SirenSongWoman]

Has anyone had this? What was your experience?

Awhile back, a sister buckeye here posted about how she didn't feel the same exhilaration, post-exercise, everyone else seems to feel. I responded that I agree. Then I started wondering why. The next day I was doing Cardio Coach, coming down to the end and Sean says "...by now, you're probably breathing through your mouth" and I thought 'By now? I ALWAYS breathe through my mouth.' And it's true. I began to realize my tiny nose (and whatever obstruction was inside it) was starting to interfere with my breathing (and my LIFE), the more HIIT I did. So I was talking about my breathing issues with a my co-worker/friend, Patty, who had been watching me yawn and hearing me speak of how tired I always am for three years now. She suggested I get tested for sleep apnea and see a doctor about my inability to breathe because those are HER issues (she's actually off work right now, recovering from surgery for a deviated septum AND a tonsil removal). So I saw my doctor. I'm going in tonight for my second sleep study (with the CPAP machine) and the otolaryngologist(sp?) I saw yesterday has me scheduled for surgery for a deviated septum in October. He said my septum veers right, then takes a sharp left. He acted like he'd never seen anything like it and said the surgery would surely do wonders for my ability to breathe through my nose. I'd like to ask Patty about her surgery but she's so mad and in so much pain she's not talking. With the tonsillectomy (I had mine as a child so, thankfully, that's not an issue for me), she can't talk but she texted me and said she's in so much pain she would never have had the surgery if she'd known it would be like that.

So I have to ask. Those of you who've had surgery for a deviated septum, what was your experience with the surgery? Do you regret it? Did it help? I know my late mother (a REALLY bad snorer) had it and later said it helped a lot but I don't recall her feelings about the surgery. What I mostly want to know is 1) How bad was the surgery and 2) Did it help you to breathe better? I'm kind of nervous and could use some reassurance. Thanks.

 

[buckeyegirl]

My DH had his surgically repaired at Ohio State before he graduated from vet school. He opted on having it done awake so he wouldn't have to go through general anesthesia - dumbass! is what I said! He was sedated and they rubbed his nose with cocaine (I think -- it helps constrict the blood vessels - you nurses tell me if I'm wrong here) and they numbed it and then chiseled away at his septum.

He rolled out of there with what looked like two tampons up his nose that he had to keep in there for a few days. So, he was miserable for about 1 week and then kind of miserable for an additional week or so just blowing out all the crap...sorry to be so graphic. He does think it helped, though, in the long run.

I can't believe he did it with sedation and local anesthesia only -- brave (stupid?) man that he is...

Don't know if I helped or not...but that's my take on it

Heidi

 

[My2girls]

I just emailed my sister who had this done several years ago. She recalls her surgery was outpatient and recovery took 5-7 days, but does not think it was too bad. She said the worst part was when the dr. took the stuffing out of her nose! She then went on to say she can breathe a thousand times better and it was well worth it. She said a friend of hers just had it done and is very happy with results as well.

HTH

 

[NRG Woman]

I had this done about a decade ago. At the time I thought it was painful and the first week was hard. Of course that was my first surgery so I didn't know what to expect. After it healed I could breath SO much better I would do it again in a heart beat. I had such good success DH went on to have it done too. It really helped us both.

Good luck.

Shayne

 

[eminenz2]

I've had this surgery myself about twelve years ago. The surgery was outpatient, recovery was about a week - just like the above poster said.

It was worth it, but I will tell you that for a long while after the surgery, food didn't taste the same (duller) and breathing was not any better. I think although recovery was fairly quick, healing took a lot longer, at least for me.

HTH.

 

[SirenSongWoman]

Thank you all for cluing me in. People tease me about how much I go to the bathroom but it's because of my nose. Really. I go to the bathroom all the time because I drink so much water. I drink so much water because my throat's always dry. My throat's always dry because I breathe through my mouth. I breathe through my mouth because I can't get air in my nose.

I just got back from my second night in the sleep clinic, on the CPAP machine. A miserable experience. I could definitely breathe better but the mask pinched my nose and I know there's no way I'm going to have an air hose stretched between an air machine and my face every night for the rest of my life. I like a social life and no man's sleeping next to that! So my choices are 1) the CPAP machine (I keep wanting to call it the CRAP machine!) or 2) the surgery. I am so relieved to hear that the surgery has helped you all. I can't imagine what it will be like to be able to breathe through my nose like a normal person.

I've already been warned about the nose tampons. LOL.