What is septoplasty surgery? Is it necessary?
For those with genetically crooked noses or folks who have sustained an injury to the face, septum surgery can be the ultimate fix to associated breathing problems. Bent noses and uneven nostrils can impede airflow and make breathing a chore.
If you feel your nose laboring to keep air moving, deviated septum surgery in Houston could be just what you need to correct those structural problems. A deviated septum carries a higher risk of sinus infections and can affect the quality of your sleep. To fix a deviated septum, make an appointment with a specialist near you to discuss your options.
Septorhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, fixes an individual’s deviated septa and is often performed as an outpatient procedure. That means you don’t have to stay overnight in a hospital; you walk in, get anesthetized, and the surgeon performs the procedure right in their office.
Much like with a regular rhinoplasty surgery, your surgeon will take a few “before” pictures of your nose and discuss how the procedure works. Septum surgery focuses mainly on improving the internal structure of the nose, as opposed to the outer aesthetic appearance.
Before your deviated septum surgery in Houston, follow your surgeon’s pre-op instructions. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, and aspirin starting a week or two before your procedure. Make your surroundings comfortable for your recovery, as you’ll be too tired to do so right after the surgery.
Your procedure begins with either local or general anesthesia. The process generally takes one or two hours. To fix the deviated septum, your surgeon will make small incisions inside your nose, lightly cutting at cartilage and bone to fix the structure. They may use spreader grafts, which are small pieces of cartilage, to reinforce the nose’s new structure.
To further strengthen your “new” nose, the surgeon may also use silicone splints to hold your nostrils in place. The idea is to restructure your nostrils so that they’re even and open enough for proper airflow. Their goal is to keep that fixed-up septum in place!
After your surgery, expect to sleep sitting up for the first couple of weeks. In the days following your septum surgery, you may see some bloody discharge dripping from your nose; don’t worry about it. The blood will clear up within a couple of days. In the meantime, wipe your nose—don’t blow it. Avoid any excess strain on your face or body for a few weeks.
For the best deviated septum surgery in Houston, call Allergy & ENT Associates. Our specialists and surgeons will listen to your goals and concerns, and we’ll work with you to get your nose working the way it should.
