Nose Job + Deviated Septum Surgery

claudette2 · Jul 15th, 2008, 12:18 AM

Has anyone here had the sinus surgery to correct a deviated septum? I am seriously considering this because I broke my nose many years ago and since, I have not been able to breath as well and I have been much more susceptible to congestion to the point that today I am nearly always congested and always have puffy eyes.

Anyhow, I'm curious to hear feedback about that surgery, how you went about interviewing your doctor, what type of recovery to expect, etc.

The second thing is I am thinking of combing that with a nose job to straighten my nose (it curves to one side ever since I broke it). But that makes me a bit more nervous and I'd like to hear about people's experiences.

Thanks!

maybeimeow · Jul 15th, 2008, 04:26 PM

3 of my friends had nose jobs less than 2 months ago (they did it together), and each of them took 10 days off from work. After that, about 70% of the swelling was gone with the remainder of the swelling expected to go away within 6 months.

One of them is not completely happy with her results, but she still has to wait it out because since the swelling isn't completely down it could still look different in 4 months time.

Not alot of info, but I hope it helps.

courtneyh · Jul 15th, 2008, 08:37 PM

i have the same problem, but i have heard both good and bad things about it.

a few of my friends have had it done for the deviated septum part.... one said it worked great and the other said she really doesnt notice a difference....i think it really depends on the person...

its a very painfull surgery from what i am told, very uncomfortable....

i have thought about it for years, and i still dont know if i want to do it... its a 50/50 chance it will make a difference and for me that isnt good enough to go through all that pain and not have it work...

lorihmatthews · Jul 15th, 2008, 08:40 PM

My dad had a horrible snoring problem and sleep apnea due to a deviated septum. There was nothing wrong with his nose, though. The good news is that after the surgery he never snored again. The bad news I won't share because of a medical mistake made by the doctor that does NOT happen when things are done correctly. Please don't let my dad's doctors' bad decisions affect yours.

amanda · Jul 15th, 2008, 08:43 PM

my best friend in the world had this exact thing done (deviated septum correction and nose job to fix the bump from previously breaking his nose) a few months ago and he's happy with the results. since it wasn't a completely cosmetic procedure, it didn't turn out completely perfect looks-wise, but still better than it was before (and imo, people with perfect noses look kinda weird and unnatural). he said it was amazing how much better he could TASTE food afterward (since smell is so linked with taste), and the week that he took off work was apparently plenty, since he didn't complain much about pain (and, like all men, he's kind of a baby when it comes to those things). i'd go ahead and try it, particularly since you have a medical reason for doing it.

bunnymasseuse · Jul 18th, 2008, 11:21 PM

I broke my nose in high school and had a deviated septum repaired, however I have had consistent unhealed wounds in the nose where the scab has never healed since that time (over 10 yrs ago). I also broke it again at a later date, and never had it repaired again. I still know that one side is bigger than the other due to the damage and it does make breathing difficult at times. Unless I break it a third time, I'll probably leave it as it is for now. Surgery went well AFAIK, but I did have a large amount of swelling and pain for a few days, so it was done in the summer.

Roo · Jul 19th, 2008, 02:38 AM

I had that surgery about 15 years ago. I looked very carefully for a doctor that specialized in otolaryngology (ENT) AND plastic surgery. I found an excellent guy who did my surgery. I had a very hard time after the surgery though. I do not tolerate pain killers well at all in my stomach and I was in a lot of pain. It felt like a truck was sitting on my face. The first week was very hard. It was worth it though, I can breathe better and no longer snore either. I had very minor plastic surgery at the same time to shave down a bump on the bridge of my nose (softball injury as a kid) and to narrow the tip just a little. My insurance paid for all but $500 of the surgery for the cosmetic stuff he did. Be VERY VERY careful to find someone who is both an ENT and a plastic surgeon. The doctor I use only does surgeries from the neck up.

RowdyAndPete · Jul 19th, 2008, 03:56 AM

I had a deviated septum surgery and it was one of the best things I've ever done. I found a top notch ENT surgeon who also specialized in cosmetic surgery (above the neck). I also got my cleft tongue fixed. The pain was minimal. I was on pain killers but it wasn't horrifying. It was about the same as when I got my tonsils out. To be honest the thing that hurt the most after my surgery was my throat. From the tube going down it. They put straws in your nose to drain the blood, and then put bandages on your upper lip to catch the blood. The removal of the straws is a tad painful because they are stiched in there but other than that it was fine. Quick and easy recovery. I don't know where you are located but I have a great surgeon in the La Jolla, California area. PM me if you need information.

kimberf · Jul 19th, 2008, 05:39 PM

I had deviated septum surgery and a sinusotomy about 10 years ago. I had a severely deviated septum that veered both ways and basically blocked off all the drainage from my sinuses, leading to massive, chronic sinus infections that were either going to require surgery or long doses of IV antibiotics. So, my surgery had to address the other sinus issues as well.

I had asked him to do some cosmetic work to reshape the tip of my nose at the time, but my surgeon, who was an ENT but does do a lot of nose jobs, refused, since he felt it was cosmetically unnecessary.

I found the surgery to be pretty rough, but not horrible. I react badly to anesthesia, so the first couple days were rough. The packing in my nose afterward was probably the worst part. I also had some massive nosebleeds during recovery. In terms of breathing, I think it did improve somewhat after the surgery. I was disappointed that it didn't resolve the sinus problems as much as I expected -- ended up with another sinus surgery a few years later, and it took probably a year after the second one for everything to settle down so I have fewer problems.

RowdyAndPete · Jul 20th, 2008, 01:30 AM

I just wanted to add that I can breathe so much better since the surgery. I still snore, but its unbelievable how improved my breathing and taste buds are!

Jul 15th, 2008, 12:18 AM	#1
claudette2 Member Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 538	Nose Job + Deviated Septum Surgery Has anyone here had the sinus surgery to correct a deviated septum? I am seriously considering this because I broke my nose many years ago and since, I have not been able to breath as well and I have been much more susceptible to congestion to the point that today I am nearly always congested and always have puffy eyes. Anyhow, I'm curious to hear feedback about that surgery, how you went about interviewing your doctor, what type of recovery to expect, etc. The second thing is I am thinking of combing that with a nose job to straighten my nose (it curves to one side ever since I broke it). But that makes me a bit more nervous and I'd like to hear about people's experiences. Thanks!

Jul 15th, 2008, 04:26 PM	#2
maybeimeow Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 300	3 of my friends had nose jobs less than 2 months ago (they did it together), and each of them took 10 days off from work. After that, about 70% of the swelling was gone with the remainder of the swelling expected to go away within 6 months. One of them is not completely happy with her results, but she still has to wait it out because since the swelling isn't completely down it could still look different in 4 months time. Not alot of info, but I hope it helps. __________________ Goal: Raise $5,000 for Team in Training for the race for a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma. Join me in the ONE DOLLAR EXPERIMENT! Donate just $1 at my Team in Training page, and pass it on! http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/nikesf08/raheela

Jul 15th, 2008, 08:37 PM	#3
courtneyh Just Married!!! Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Bucks County! Posts: 2,234	i have the same problem, but i have heard both good and bad things about it. a few of my friends have had it done for the deviated septum part.... one said it worked great and the other said she really doesnt notice a difference....i think it really depends on the person... its a very painfull surgery from what i am told, very uncomfortable.... i have thought about it for years, and i still dont know if i want to do it... its a 50/50 chance it will make a difference and for me that isnt good enough to go through all that pain and not have it work... __________________ My small but growing LV collection! Mono Speedy 25 Cabas Piano Damier Zippy Wallet Damier Key and Change Holder My Wishlist! Damier Neverfull MM Something in Azur

Jul 15th, 2008, 08:43 PM	#5
amanda I Bleed Georgia Red Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 9,395	my best friend in the world had this exact thing done (deviated septum correction and nose job to fix the bump from previously breaking his nose) a few months ago and he's happy with the results. since it wasn't a completely cosmetic procedure, it didn't turn out completely perfect looks-wise, but still better than it was before (and imo, people with perfect noses look kinda weird and unnatural). he said it was amazing how much better he could TASTE food afterward (since smell is so linked with taste), and the week that he took off work was apparently plenty, since he didn't complain much about pain (and, like all men, he's kind of a baby when it comes to those things). i'd go ahead and try it, particularly since you have a medical reason for doing it. __________________ PROUD TO BE A UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA BULLDOG! Read my blog: http://graduationday.wordpress.com

Jul 18th, 2008, 11:21 PM	#6
bunnymasseuse Rescuer of Rabbits Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1,201	I broke my nose in high school and had a deviated septum repaired, however I have had consistent unhealed wounds in the nose where the scab has never healed since that time (over 10 yrs ago). I also broke it again at a later date, and never had it repaired again. I still know that one side is bigger than the other due to the damage and it does make breathing difficult at times. Unless I break it a third time, I'll probably leave it as it is for now. Surgery went well AFAIK, but I did have a large amount of swelling and pain for a few days, so it was done in the summer. __________________ -------(\(\---------- -------(-.-)--------- ------( (")(")------- Come see my semi-current Collection! Looking for the following: 40946, 11481, 40885, 11420, 11419, 40887, 90052, 40708, 40826, 40706, 40674

Jul 15th, 2008, 08:40 PM	#4
lorihmatthews Luv my Persian Joined: Oct 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 6,625	My dad had a horrible snoring problem and sleep apnea due to a deviated septum. There was nothing wrong with his nose, though. The good news is that after the surgery he never snored again. The bad news I won't share because of a medical mistake made by the doctor that does NOT happen when things are done correctly. Please don't let my dad's doctors' bad decisions affect yours.

Jul 19th, 2008, 02:38 AM	#7
Roo Up to the Minute Mod Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Rue Roo Posts: 9,086	I had that surgery about 15 years ago. I looked very carefully for a doctor that specialized in otolaryngology (ENT) AND plastic surgery. I found an excellent guy who did my surgery. I had a very hard time after the surgery though. I do not tolerate pain killers well at all in my stomach and I was in a lot of pain. It felt like a truck was sitting on my face. The first week was very hard. It was worth it though, I can breathe better and no longer snore either. I had very minor plastic surgery at the same time to shave down a bump on the bridge of my nose (softball injury as a kid) and to narrow the tip just a little. My insurance paid for all but $500 of the surgery for the cosmetic stuff he did. Be VERY VERY careful to find someone who is both an ENT and a plastic surgeon. The doctor I use only does surgeries from the neck up. __________________ Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.

Jul 19th, 2008, 03:56 AM	#8
RowdyAndPete Sofa King Banned Joined: Apr 2008 Location: 12 10 Baby! Posts: 357	I had a deviated septum surgery and it was one of the best things I've ever done. I found a top notch ENT surgeon who also specialized in cosmetic surgery (above the neck). I also got my cleft tongue fixed. The pain was minimal. I was on pain killers but it wasn't horrifying. It was about the same as when I got my tonsils out. To be honest the thing that hurt the most after my surgery was my throat. From the tube going down it. They put straws in your nose to drain the blood, and then put bandages on your upper lip to catch the blood. The removal of the straws is a tad painful because they are stiched in there but other than that it was fine. Quick and easy recovery. I don't know where you are located but I have a great surgeon in the La Jolla, California area. PM me if you need information.

Jul 19th, 2008, 05:39 PM	#9
kimberf Member Joined: Mar 2007 Location: California Posts: 2,152	I had deviated septum surgery and a sinusotomy about 10 years ago. I had a severely deviated septum that veered both ways and basically blocked off all the drainage from my sinuses, leading to massive, chronic sinus infections that were either going to require surgery or long doses of IV antibiotics. So, my surgery had to address the other sinus issues as well. I had asked him to do some cosmetic work to reshape the tip of my nose at the time, but my surgeon, who was an ENT but does do a lot of nose jobs, refused, since he felt it was cosmetically unnecessary. I found the surgery to be pretty rough, but not horrible. I react badly to anesthesia, so the first couple days were rough. The packing in my nose afterward was probably the worst part. I also had some massive nosebleeds during recovery. In terms of breathing, I think it did improve somewhat after the surgery. I was disappointed that it didn't resolve the sinus problems as much as I expected -- ended up with another sinus surgery a few years later, and it took probably a year after the second one for everything to settle down so I have fewer problems.

Jul 20th, 2008, 01:30 AM	#10
RowdyAndPete Sofa King Banned Joined: Apr 2008 Location: 12 10 Baby! Posts: 357	I just wanted to add that I can breathe so much better since the surgery. I still snore, but its unbelievable how improved my breathing and taste buds are!