If you have trouble breathing due to a deviated septum, nose surgery might be a good option for you. Some people are born with a deviated septum. Others suffer due to an injury to the nose. In many cases, patients with deviated septums have one nasal passage which is significantly smaller than the other. This can cause some difficulty breathing. The only way to fix a deviated septum is through plastic surgery. While most cosmetic surgery exists to fix the appearance of the patient, there are some cases where it can be functional. Specifically, a plastic surgeon can perform a septoplasty to help the function of the nose.
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure to correct a deviated septum. Septoplasty straightens the septum, allowing for better airflow through your nose.
What is a septoplasty?
Septoplasty is a procedure that improves a patient’s breathing by correcting a deviated septum.
The septum is the wall of bone and cartilage that divides your nose into two separate nostrils. A deviated septum is when your septum moves to one side of your nose. A deviated septum occurs when the wall between the two sides of the nose becomes crooked, most commonly due to an injury or trauma during birth. A mildly deviated septum is most common. However, some patients suffer from continuous blockage of one side of the nose. Septoplasty straightens a deviated septum, creating an open airway for nasal breathing.
What to expect before, during & after the procedure
Before your procedure, you will meet with your plastic surgeon to discuss your desired results and answer any lingering questions you may have. He or she should put your mind at ease and make you feel as comfortable as possible with the medical choice you have made.
Once you are in the operating room, a doctor will administer anesthesia. This is for your comfort during the procedure. Typically, with septoplasty, the plastic surgeon makes the incisions within the nasal cavity. In some cases of difficult septoplasties, a small incision is made across the columella. The surgeon will then lift the membrane that covers the surface of the septum at one side and then the other. Finally, the surgeon removes or repositions the deviated septum bone.
After the surgeon completes the repositioning, he or she will close the incision using stitches or sutures. Your medical team will then move you to an observation room to ensure you wake up safely from the anesthesia, monitoring your vitals.
What are the risks of a septoplasty?
As with any invasive medical procedure, there are risks. However, most patients in good health who choose experienced plastic surgeons rarely experience complications. It is important to note that patients who are unhappy or unsatisfied with the results of the first septoplasty may require a second procedure. Other risks are rare, but they include the following.
- Scarring
- Bleeding
- A change in the shape of the nose
- Perforation (when a hole forms in the septum)
- A decreased sense of smell
- Discoloration of the nose
Excessive bleeding and infection are possible risks of any surgery. Remember to keep your nose clean post-procedure and always wash your hands. These two steps can frequently may reduce these risks of nose surgery for breathing issues.
What does the recovery timeline look like?
Typically, septoplasty is an outpatient procedure. This means that you’ll be able to go home on the same day as the procedure, once the anesthesia has worn off. Your nose will be swollen, painful, and packed with cotton to control bleeding. Additionally, your doctor will tell you when you can remove the cotton and prescribe pain medication as needed.
Your doctor will likely ask you to avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, and other drugs that thin the blood. This lowers the risk of bleeding problems after the procedure.
You should also limit your physical activity for several weeks after surgery to minimize swelling and promote healing. This includes most forms of intense exercise. These activities can increase your blood pressure and lead to heavy bleeding.
For a faster recovery, try some of the following tips.
- Elevate your head at night.
- Do not blow your nose for at least three days post-procedure.
- Do not wear clothes that you need to pull over your hear. Buttons are preferred.
The wound on your nose will heal fairly quickly, and your breathing is likely to improve shortly after the procedure. Cartilage and other nasal tissues can take up to a year to fully heal and show the final results of the surgery.
Most patients do not experience ongoing symptoms after the procedure. However, in some cases, the nasal tissues shift over time and eventually block airflow through the nose again. In these cases, a second surgery will be needed to reshape the nose and septum further.
Dr. Anthony Berlet Can Help You
If you are looking to have nose surgery for breathing issues, finding the right surgeon is crucial. The best doctor for you will have experience with the procedure you are looking for and he or she will be able to answer all of your questions. Dr. Anthony Berlet serves the northern New Jersey and New York City area, helping patients with both rhinoplasty and septoplasty procedures. For over 20 years, he has helped patients achieve their goals. Reach out to our team to learn more!