Nasal Septum and Turbinate Surgery

Before having this surgery, I read numerous forums and blog posts trying to get more information on the surgery, recovery etc. There was very little organized information and I decided to post my experience to help the next person who might be interested.

First a little background on my condition: I have always had nasal problems as far back as I remember. I tended to catch the cold often, had dust allergy and had perennially runny nose. When I was about 15 and was living in India, I was diagnosed with a Deviated Nasal Septum and the doctor indicated that was the cause of my chronic nasal issues. An operation was performed which did little to alleviate my condition. In fact, the deviation got worse as time went on and after a few years, I was markedly congested on the left side.

Now after 15 years from the initial surgery, I thought I had had enough and went to see another ENT specialist, this time in the US. I was told that the deviation in my septum was moderate but my turbinates were greatly enlarged blocking the nasal passages. I was prescribed a nasal spray which did not work. Following that, the doctor advised surgery for turbinate reduction. I was a bit wary of the surgery and decided to forgo it having learned to live with my condition.

Another year passed and I was back at another ENT specialist. This was at a top 10 ENT hospital in the US. The diagnosis was almost the same - enlarged turinates, which along with the deviation in the septum was blocking the left side almost completely. I also had crusting and bleeding, which the doctor thought was because of infection due to poor air flow. Surgery was the suggested solution again and this time I was ready.

The plan was to correct the septum deviation and reduce the turbinates on both sides. The surgery was going to be a "Microdebrider Assisted" outpatient procedure, which was minimally invasive, had lower recovery time and was supposed to be the most effective procedure available.

My account of the surgery and recovery follows: 

• Day 0: Arrived at the surgery center at 9 am. Went to the Pre-Op at 9:15 am and was ready for surgery by 9:40 am. The surgeon had arrived, I was administered general anesthesia and the surgery started right away. The procedure took about an hour and I was in Post-Op by 10:45 am. When I woke up, I felt moderate pain, a 4 on a scale of 10. I was given some snacks - cookies, pudding and juice. I was also given pain medication and I was allowed to go home at about 12:30 pm. By this time, the pain had reduced to just a mild throbbing. I also had some bleeding, most of the which was going down my throat. Whatever came out of the nose was caught in a gauge taped underneath my nose. No packing or splints were placed in my nose. When at home, I just rested on my recliner. I had to change the gauge every two hours and the bleeding continued at a moderate pace. I did take another prescription pain medication around 10 pm before trying to sleep. I was pretty congested in both nostrils and was hardly able to get any substantial sleep but I did doze off for a couple of hours. The pain was about a 2.
• Day 1: Mild bleeding continues the next day. Pain is at a minimum. The surgery center nurse and doctor's office both checked on me over phone. The only issue I have is the congestion and the blood starting to crust in my nostrils. I was advised to start rinsing my sinuses to help with the healing. Thankfully, I was already doing the Sinus Rinse / Nasal Irrigation / Neti for the last couple of years, so it was easy for me. For a beginner, this should probably be learned before the surgery. Now, because both the nostrils were congested (due to swelling after the surgery), sinus rinse was a bit of a challenge but I was able to do it nonetheless. Another rinse in the evening was easier with some blood and gunk coming out. I didn't have to take any painkillers but was not able to sleep properly due to congestion. Breathing through the mouth was a bit of a challenge. I did use a lip balm to help with the dry lips/mouth. I ate normal food and drank plenty of fluids (water, juice, soup). This is very important to help with the recovery. To make things easier, I also used a straw to drink the fluids. I was also prescribed antibiotics (perhaps to avoid post-surgery infection), which I am taking twice a day.
• Day 2-3: Bleeding has almost slopped. Occasionally do feel some blood in my mouth, which I just spit out. My "right / good" nostril has opened up more but the "left / bad" nostrils is still congested like before the surgery. Perhaps there is still swelling due to more  septum/turbinate work on that side. Continuing the Sinus Rinse / Neti and not taking any painkillers. I have scheduled a follow up appointment with my surgeon for the 7th day from surgery.