Deviated Septum, anyone had the operation?

[CuriousMama]

I have yet another bout of sinusitis. Head pains and blockage. I have deviated septum on my left side and have heard there's an operation to correct it? Has anyone had it? If so do you regret it?

Yes I had it about 12 years ago.

It was well worth it, I had bout after bout of infected sinuses and it was agony.

I haven't had sinusitis since - it has been a complete revelation.

The op is fine and not particularly painfiul, but can be quite distressing when you come round as you bleed very heavily from the nose. You also have a lot of packing in each nostril which gets soaked and feels uncomfortable - your nose won't look like your own tbh. And it hurts when the packing is removed, I won't lie. But that is the worst bit, the recovery was very easy, I was at home the day after the op (so stayed only one night). I didn't get black eyes but the woman in the bed next to me who had the same op had slight bruises.

I really recommend it - infected sinuses are bloody awful.

Thanks GOML that's a vote of confidence. Did your nose stay different?

My DH had it done along with turbinates for sleep anpnoea.
He recovered well, had no black eyes and is fine.
If it will improve your quality of life, do it.

Oh no, my nose was only swollen and looked awful because of the sheer amount of packing material in each nostril! When that was removed and the swelling had gone down my nose went back to normal and it looks no different than it did before.

Thanks for that you two. I'll make an appointment and get the ball rolling

I had that op about 10 years ago and I thank God I did.

Like GOML I only stayed in hospital one night. The amount of packing that came out of my nostrils was amazing, I wish I could have kept it, it didn't seem possible that all that was up my nose. I had plastic splints inserted and 1 set came out a few days later but the 'highest' set had to be removed the next morning under a general, but that's just me, the drama!

I had the most amazing black eyes and even worse I developed a 'Viva Zapata' moustache because blood leaked under my skin and due to gravity made it's way downwards either side of my mouth, very attractive!

But I have never had a single bout of sinusitis since, and it used to rule my life. I'm forever teling people to have it done, you won't regret it, good luck.

Thanks maybe, bit worried about the Viva Zapta though! Nice to hear positive stories. I just hope the dr thinks I'm deviated enough? It's not obvious.

I hasten to add that the moustache cleared in about 3 days, just sent my DH into hysterics, grrrrr!

I also had this recently, about 5 weeks ago now. It hasn't (yet) made any difference to my sore face but it's early days and I'm still not 100% convinced the septum was the problem in the first place, but we'll see. The operation itself was fine though, they give you the good painkillers for afterwards and although I was sore it was nothing awful (once the drugs kicked in, anyway. I'd not have liked to do it without those). I was also bunged up, but I can't breathe through my nose most of the time anyway so that wasn't as much of a hardship as it would be for some people.

I didn't have to stay in the hospital at all. I was told to show up at 8am, they did all the pre-op malarky, they knocked me out with GA by half past 10, I was awake 40 minutes later and drinking tea by noon. They let me out at the end of the afternoon. GA aftereffects hit me pretty hard though and it took me nearly two weeks to recover fully but I respond funnily to sedation and anaesthetic, so that's just me rather than to do with the specific surgery.

Thanks for your posts. Sorry it didn't help you Naoko? I hope the soreness goes though. Will you go back and tell them?

I'll be back to my GP, certainly. I personally think the problem is in my ear, not in my nose, but finding someone who'll listen is the trick. My GP is sympathetic, ENT less helpful. We'll see.

I hope you get sorted out Naoko. I have an unerupted wisdom tooth on the same side which doesn't help.

Well I was back in today and the GP has prescribed antibiotics because she thinks there's some wound infection present still, and will refer back to ENT if it keeps up with strict instructions to look at my ear instead. Result!

That's good Naoko

HI,

I have just had results of a ct scan and been told I have sinus inflammation on the right side and a deviated septum. It's only taken a year of moaning to gp and hospital and ent for them to figure it out......but i have problems with my eyes and wondered if any one else suffering sinus problems have eye issues too?
I am glad you have posted as the op had been mentioned to me, thanks
Amy

Did anyone have a deformed nose due to their deviated septum and did you look diffferent post-op? Obviously, I only look weird at a certain angle.

Anyone had a Septoplasty? Had mine done on Tuesday and I am convinced my nose is f'ed. It's SO swollen on one side and looks very crooked. Really hoping this is just swelling and not the final outcome.

Advice please!