Septoplasty: How did it impact you?

I never had a sleep study but I was a very loud snorer.

I had difficulty breathing all the time.

In my mid 50s I became aware that I was suffering from this condition.

My difficulty breathing made me especially concerned with any respiratory illness.

Since I had the surgery, though, my life is significantly better.

I can breathe all the time, pretty much.

I was energetic right after the surgery but found that I would run low on energy by mid afternoon even a couple weeks afterwards.

I had my surgery on a Wednesday and was able to return to work on Monday, although I left slightly early for a few days.

There is a lot of blood to deal with at first, and the first week is very uncomfortable, but it gets better quickly. It is a little disconcerting to go through.

But it was totally worth it.

I am very happy with the results so far.

I would have done it sooner if I had known.

This surgery really has been a miracle so far.

Use good post-surgical self-care.

The over the counter saline rinse has made everything move first to tolerable and now to good. Use as recommended for relief.

This surgery has worked great for me so far.

I can breathe, my snoring is better, I feel more calm without having to struggle for each breath, I can eat more quietly, I can sing more fully.

I am very pleased.

I had septoplasty for a deviated septum in Feb. My main issue was a scab on my septum that wouldn't go away... dealt with it for over 20 years and doc felt the surgery would help. It has and the scab has not come back, going in 4 months post op. I am 60 and would say the recovery is very rough. I couldn't breathe out of my nose for the first week which was extremely uncomfortable, my passages were so dry and crusty. It has taken a 4 months for my nose to fully heal. Also, it triggered a TMJ issue from being incubated. If I knew what recovery would be like and that I'd end up with TMJ issues, I wouldn't do it again. Just my experience. I'd say, really think about how bad your current situation is before proceeding.

It helped me exactly how I hoped it would

My condition previously sounds similar to yours

My ENT tells me I have a deviated septum -- I went to see him after I was diagnosed with a mild case of sleep apnea. I was prepared to learn about mandibular devices, but also learned about septoplasty and turbinate reduction surgery. Does anyone have experience with those procedures, were there lasting side effects (like a change to your voice), and is the outside of your nose affected? My daughter is getting married in several months, so I'm wondering if I should wait until after the wedding to take care of this. Any advice would be appreciated.

@tucsonnancy-

Do your research. Most sleep apnea has nothing to due with the architecture of the nose.

Do not rely heavily on an objective observation of deviated septum.

If you have zero breathing issues throughout the day and have never noticed a breathing issue with in your nose, then I will be blunt- don’t touch your nose.

However even still- I of course am not a doctor, but do your own research on the causes of sleep apnea which are many.

And definitely don’t do a surgery like this before a wedding. It’s elective. It can wait.

Hello @tucsonnancy. You will notice I have moved your post into an existing discussion on septoplasty, which you can now find here:
- Septoplasty: How did it impact you?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/septoplasty-how-did-it-impact-you/

I did this to allow you to better connect with members like @newgrowth @mcorland and @nrd1

Have you had other breathing issues?

Hello,
I wonder if someone can provide their opinion on this, whether based on personal experience or of someone they know who have had a septoplasty and turbinate reduction surgery (no rhinoplasty).
Now, I had both done approx. 2 months ago. I know and I was told that the swelling should subsede after a few days and that the shape of the nose would not change.
After two months, and comparing pre- and post- photos, I think that my nose looks wider (not just the nostrils but also the "body" of the nose). Has that happened to anyone else and would more time be needed (more months?) for the nose to fully heal and to be able to judge whether there's been any unwanted change to its shape?
Many thanks.

My husband had both done and there's no noticeable change in the shape of his nose but his nose is still quite sore after 6 months. And he sounds congested all the time but when he blows his nose or dose a nasal rinse there's nothing there.

I had surgery with both and have no change in my nose size. My nose has been very dry since the surgery and I have a nose whistle at times. I use a saline nose spray sometimes at night to be able to breath and sleep better. I was disappointed that the surgery did not help the excessive mucus in my throat! I have constant throat clearing that is difficult to live with.
In your situation I would give it more time to heal. I hope it helps.

God Bless!

@phyllisg -

Hi. Curious if your husband has any other complaints? Just soreness and feeling stuffy?