Septoplasty: How did it impact you?

Posted by John, Volunteer Mentor @johnbishop, Sep 23, 2019

I have a deviated septum and was trying to find others that have had a septoplasty to see what it was like and what impact it had on them after having the surgery. I'm really trying to find out if it's worth pursuing at my age (76) since I've lived with it so long. I'm also wondering whether it may help with some of the obstructive sleep apnea issues I have with mouth breathing. My sleep medicine doctor didn't seem to think it would make a big difference but I've struggled somewhat with using my CPAP and consistently getting good results over the past year. Sometimes I am able to clear my nose and breathe normal but the times are few and far between.

If you have had a septoplasty, are you happy with the results? Also, would be interested in talking with anyone who has had a septoplasty and also has obstructive sleep apnea.

Thanks! John

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@bcgal, did you ever find out if your deviated septum was contributing to your obstructive sleep apnea?

@katielittle1, did you have your deviated septum fixed with septoplasty? Are you able to share any details on if it helped or information about the recovery and how the surgery went?

@alex20 and @stepherrs09 -- did you have the septoplasty surgery? Did it help with your breathing?

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@johnbishop and all - in my case, I had no idea I had a deviated septum till I had my very first allergy workup at Mayo. The allergist mentioned I might have to get my septum fixed to breathe better and sent me to the ENT.

I was a little worried, cause I'd just started a new job and to mention I'd need a week off for surgery in a couple months right after starting seemed a little much. However, everyone was gracious about it. I definitely thought doing the surgery to improve my breathing made sense.

My ENT surgeon also did rhinoplasty and mentioned I had a J hook in my nose and would I also like that corrected? This was also news to me, and I told him I only wanted to do what insurance covered.

The surgery was no big deal. My recovery was about a week on the couch, the first couple days needing some assistance getting over the anesthesia, some pain and quite a bit of discomfort from having long cotton tubes in my nostrils. Those cotton tubes made breathing more complex immediately after surgery (totally doable, though), especially trying to sleep. My breathing is now much better, and I'm thankful I took the time and trouble to do the surgery.

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@lisalucier

@johnbishop and all - in my case, I had no idea I had a deviated septum till I had my very first allergy workup at Mayo. The allergist mentioned I might have to get my septum fixed to breathe better and sent me to the ENT.

I was a little worried, cause I'd just started a new job and to mention I'd need a week off for surgery in a couple months right after starting seemed a little much. However, everyone was gracious about it. I definitely thought doing the surgery to improve my breathing made sense.

My ENT surgeon also did rhinoplasty and mentioned I had a J hook in my nose and would I also like that corrected? This was also news to me, and I told him I only wanted to do what insurance covered.

The surgery was no big deal. My recovery was about a week on the couch, the first couple days needing some assistance getting over the anesthesia, some pain and quite a bit of discomfort from having long cotton tubes in my nostrils. Those cotton tubes made breathing more complex immediately after surgery (totally doable, though), especially trying to sleep. My breathing is now much better, and I'm thankful I took the time and trouble to do the surgery.

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Thanks Lisa! @lisalucier - I think I will see if I can discuss it with my primary care for a referral to ENT at Mayo.

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I think that @dk007 @jrsigurl @johnj101 @healthiswealth1 @rachelanne @mcd415 @elainelucero, who have mentioned septoplasty for themselves personally or for a loved one, may also have some input on how this surgery impacted them or the one close to them who had a septoplasty.

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It helped me, recovery took 2 weeks with the first few days afterwards being somewhat miserable. It did not stop my snoring but it helped quiet it.

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@dk007

It helped me, recovery took 2 weeks with the first few days afterwards being somewhat miserable. It did not stop my snoring but it helped quiet it.

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Thanks @dk007!

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Hi there I had a septoplasty about five years ago and I am 72 and it was absolutely wonderful I even paid another $2000 and had my nose fixed because I always hated my nose but the breathing was was just amazing how much better breathing I had and it was a not very much downtime it was wonderful!!

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@judyhodgern

Hi there I had a septoplasty about five years ago and I am 72 and it was absolutely wonderful I even paid another $2000 and had my nose fixed because I always hated my nose but the breathing was was just amazing how much better breathing I had and it was a not very much downtime it was wonderful!!

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Thank you Judy! @judyhodgern. Now I'm really thinking about getting one scheduled after the first of the year when I retire from my second career. I was thinking it might be too much to go through at 76 ☺ I do get tired of a stuffy nose that nothing helps clear up.

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@johnbishop

Thank you Judy! @judyhodgern. Now I'm really thinking about getting one scheduled after the first of the year when I retire from my second career. I was thinking it might be too much to go through at 76 ☺ I do get tired of a stuffy nose that nothing helps clear up.

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@johnbishop - are you still thinking seriously about scheduling a septoplasty?

@judyhodgern - what was your post-septoplasty recovery like?

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@lisalucier

@johnbishop - are you still thinking seriously about scheduling a septoplasty?

@judyhodgern - what was your post-septoplasty recovery like?

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Hi Lisa @lisalucier, I actually have a few things to look into after I retire and my schedule can be easily managed. Septoplasty is definitely one of them and had I been more proactive when I was diagnosed with sleep apnea last year I would have pushed to have it done then. Thank you for asking! I will definitely provide an update when it's scheduled and after it's done.

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