Septoplasty - FAQs

1. What is Septoplasty?

Septoplasty is the surgical procedure to straighten a deviated, twisted, bent or crooked septum to improve breathing, function, sinus infections, comfort and possibly, cosmetic.

2. How succesful is the surgery?

Septoplasty is a common nasal surgery, and most people recover well.

3. How do I know if I need a septoplasty?

It is best to have a good nasal exam by an Otolaryngologist. There are some medical treatments that can reduce nasal swelling.

4. When and why is a septoplasty done?

A septoplasty is done if the septum is so crooked that it interferes with breathing or causes other problems. Few people actually have a perfectly straight septum, but in most cases the amount of bending is not large enough to be noticed.

5. Will I be able to breathe better after surgery?

The surgery improves the patient's ability to breathe through their nose.

6. How long will I have swelling and bruising after nasal surgery?

With current techniques used there can be minimal swelling and bruising after the surgery. If the patients do have a small amount of bruising after surgery it is usually for a period of 1-2 days.

7. Will the structure of my nose be altered after surgery?

No if Septoplasty is the only procedure that was performed then it would not alter the basic structure of the nose.

8. What is the medication that would be prescribed?

Antibiotics, Codeine or hydrocodone, Phenergan suppositories are some of the common medications used.

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ulanda - Jun 25, 2014

I'm 5 days post op. I must admit the pain level is around 2 or 3 minimum. I watched a lot of videos that were all saying how painful it was going to be. I'm pleasantly surprised at the pain level. Especially, since I had a tonsillectomy as well. I believe the key was to overlap the pain meds. I was given codeine and Tylenol to be taken every 4 hours. So, basically I was taking pain meds every 2 hour for the first 3 days now as needed.

mike27 - Feb 02, 2014

I am day four into my recovery post op male in 50s I was not encouraged to take too much pain relief Im not in much a pain more stuffy the fifth day can feel worse , be patient not sure if I have splints if should be cleaning a little hydrogen peroxide on the outside at least or using saline spray for moisture of the muscosa. I have been taking 1000mg of vitamin C and a throat lozenge [strepsil] occasionally...

thetruthwillsettheliesonfire - Jan 10, 2014

Its January 10th 2014 and I'm spending my first night at home after my septoplasty.definitely not the best feeling in the world right now however finding out that the prescriptions I was given may have something to do with the way I feel. As I read one of the stories below, the woman with the 17 year old. I realize this is about 550ish days late and a bunch of dollars short. I'm feeling similar and I've cut back on the prednisone and this is totally reducing the spinning feeling. They prescribed anywhere from 2 to 10 mls and I started with the max. This was a mistake. I cut that in half and kept going with the antibiotic. Feeling a lot better now. Iguess the lesson here is. If the pain meds are making you feel terrible try adjusting them or changing to something else. Im not a dr. Nor could I ever afford to be one but hey some advice on this page and issue is better than nothing. Ill check back for any other opinions tomorrow

ajayuk - Aug 19, 2012

i ha septoplasty and sinus both together after 3 weeks i was feeling more uncomfortable as i coud not breath through my nose because septum was more bent and there was no void between the septum and cartillage, i had an appoint with surgen after 3 weeks and he asked me how r u feeling, i said worst then i mentioned as i cant breath through my nose as i feel the septum is mre bent he replied can't be may beother problem, i said please check it then give ur remarks , as he checked then sais yes u r right the septum s bent there s adhesion and we have to do again surgery , i said why again he said we ll put splint this time , i said if only splint then y did nt u before he said we dont use to put unless some one got post op problems nd said splints r painful aswell , i said , r u joking me , i think there was excuse as i think he missed spilnt to put in ,actually he has given me new date for again surgery, so i would actually know , not putting splint is it the part of there NHS policy or his mistake not to put splint as i think he missed to put in those splint,
please furnish

justmom - Jun 12, 2012

my 17 year old son had Septoplasty a week ago. He had focal seizures 2 hours post op and low vitals. Was told that was a side effect of Versed? He's been dizzy all week, vomited and had a focal seizure at school. Seeing blue dots, cold and clammy but BP ok seems a little confused.