The septum is the cartilage that divides the nose into two nostrils. If you have a crooked or deviated septum, a doctor will most likely recommend you get surgery to allow better airflow through the nose and possibly improve your breathing. If you’re planning on getting surgery to fix your septum and are curious about the healing process, here’s what to expect from the septoplasty recovery process.
What Is Septoplasty?
A septum is considered deviated if bent or crooked instead of straight. Deviated septums can block one or both nostrils and interfere with airflow. Septoplasty is an outpatient surgery inside the nose to straighten a deviated septum. During surgery, your nose is not broken; the doctor reshapes the septum’s bone and cartilage. The surgery is relatively short, taking about 30 to 90 minutes.
Why Is Septoplasty Necessary?
Septoplasty is the only solution to correcting a deviated septum. Deviated septums can make it harder for you to get a good night’s rest. When you have a deviated septum, breathing through your nose can be difficult, and you’re more likely to breathe through the mouth. Mouth breathing can cause dry mouth and bad breath.
Sometimes septoplasty is part of another procedure, like sinus surgery or removing nasal tumors.
What To Expect After Surgery
So what should you expect from the septoplasty recovery process? Since the procedure is done entirely through the nostrils, you don’t have to worry about scars or black eyes. However, patients may experience tenderness or pain at the front of their noses, congestion due to swelling, or nasal drainage. Swelling may last for about 48 hours, and drainage may last two to six days.
When you first get the procedure, you should get as much rest as possible. Do not rub, touch, or blow your nose. Apply an ice pack covered with a cloth to the nose and eye area to reduce pain and swelling. Also, you should avoid taking a shower or bath the first 24 hours after surgery.
Doctors will prescribe over-the-counter or prescription pain medicine to help reduce tenderness and swelling. They’ll also prescribe saline spray to clear nasal congestion. If your doctor placed stints in your nose, the stints would stay in for about one to two weeks. However, if the doctor puts packing in your nose, it will stay in for about 24 to 36 hours. In this case, you will have to breathe through the mouth until it’s removed. For maximum clearness, it will take about three to six months.
Septoplasty is a simple outpatient procedure that involves a few tiny cuts to help your airflow. As with all surgeries, make sure to do your research and find the best facility for you. At Allergy & ENT Associates, we provide various sinus treatments in Houston, from septoplasty to balloon sinuplasty. We ensure our patients have options on the road to a healthy and comfortable life! Contact us at (713) 561-3504 to talk to ENT specialists and make your appointment today!
