Septioplasty - Deviated Septum

[Engine]

Hiya guys,

So, a few years back I knocked my nose on a subway turnstyle (not broken that I know of, just bloody, and bruised for a few days). Ever since then, I've had trouble breathing nasally... usually I can only breathe through one nostril or the other, not both. The breathable nostril goes back and forth throughout the day, which seems odd to me. Anyway, I've become a mouth breather, and I hate it.

This week I visited an ear/nose/throat doctor, and he told me that my cartilege is crooked, and asked me very matter-of-factly if I wanted to fix it.

Has anyone had septioplasty before? I've heard from a few people that it either did nothing for them or even had negative effects. I'm trying to get a general feeling of whether this is worth doing...

[xbrit]

Had mine done back in 1986, the time before the wheel was invented. I'm sure it's changed somewhat since then but I never regretted getting mine done.
Apart from being able to breath from both sides, which is a bonus, it makes for a good party piece of squashing your nose flat without that troublesome cartilage there.

[Cthulhu]

The breathable nostril goes back and forth throughout the day, which seems odd to me.

I thought I was the only person who had this problem. I caught an elbow playing basketball years ago, and my nose has been this way ever since. I've never been motivated enough to get it fixed. Just lazy I guess.

[Modas]

I've had it done and quite frankly, I would rather be disembowled.  It was a brutal, barbaric procedure.

I was waterskiiing and fell foward and caught the ski in the face  .  The procedure itself took about 50 minutes, the painkillers I was given, while really potent were only good for about 30 minutes, so the last 20 minutes or so were pretty bad.  I was concious during the procedure and they had me hooked up to a BP monitor to make sure I didn't go into shock.  I closed my eyes was able to "check" myself out during the procedure and as such, my BP didn't move at all, even during the last 20 minutes when the pain killers were more or less gone.  The doctor was pretty impressed.

If you want the actual details of the procedure, I can share, but in the end, the cartiledge was so mushed up from the impact, it didn't stay in place (straight) after the procedure (even with a splint).  On the follow-up visit, when the doctor pulled the splint and the packing inside my nose (which was in there for about 3 weeks and was starting to rot, which was REALLY pleasant), he offered to try again.  I just laughed and walked out.  I was gonna pee on his desk, but figgered that would get me DC charge   .

My regular doctor has told me now that the cartiledge has "healed" up (accident was about 10 years ago), they could possibly go in there an rebreak it and possible straighten it out.  Not a freaking chance. 

Depending how bad yours is, the procedure may not be as bad as mine.  I was pretty messed up and the doctors were afraid the cartiledge would just collapse and heal that way blocking my nasal passages which is why I had it done.  They probably could have just packed it and saved me the grief and I would have most likely had the same end result. 

have fun

[Maverick]

My step son had it done about 2 years ago. He said he will never ever even think about going through that situation again because of the pain post surgery. He also got minimal improvement.

[Fulmar]

My nose hurts just reading this thread.

[Cthulhu]

From what you guys are saying, I'm not lazy, I'm just smart and didn't know it.

[Engine]

See, this is what I'm talking about... half the people I speak to say it was they can breathe normally again and they're glad they did it, and the other half say it was torturous and they got no improvement.

Arrrrrrgh. At least with wisdom teeth extraction you know what the outcome will be. This isn't a decision I'm looking forward to.

[mechanic]

real men wear broken noses with pride! (especially if it was thier misses who hit them)

[ZetaNine]

I heard the worst part is after it's over and healed up...and they have to remove all the gauze ....

I swear I am not making this up...a buddy of mine's wife had this done.......and long story short.......she is a crack (I guess that word is edited here) well....she sells herself for crack..... I am NOT making that up.  the surgery was so bad...as was the post surgical pain...that she got hooked on pain pills........and when they stopped working.......yada yada yada........ and finally rock bottom.  she was a great wife and mom.....and within two years........gone....

[lambo31]

My step son had it done about 2 years ago. He said he will never ever even think about going through that situation again because of the pain post surgery. He also got minimal improvement.

 I had it done about 3 years ago. I feel the same way as your step son. No improvement but a nightmare of a recovery.

 But, my brother had it done also with good results after he got over the surgery.


 Lambo

[Engine]

lambo, if you don't mind, what was the situation with you and your brother? Which one of you was breathing worse, and were they both injuries that caused you to get the surgery? I'm hoping against hope that his situation matches mine: slight injury, annoying problems breathing.

Zeta: I'd make a great crack potato.

[myelo]

My mom had one about 10 years ago. She had good results and didn't think it was particularly painful. Of course women aren't as tough as YOU guys.

[Captfish]

My brother did it and is super thankful he did. He was hit with a baseball during practice. He breathes fine now, even does a lot of scuba diving and has had no problems. He was a mouth breather for about six months before he decided to do it. he could make his whistle sometimes.

[lambo31]

lambo, if you don't mind, what was the situation with you and your brother? Which one of you was breathing worse, and were they both injuries that caused you to get the surgery? I'm hoping against hope that his situation matches mine: slight injury, annoying problems breathing.

Zeta: I'd make a great crack potato.

Mine was due to being broke several times in a 4 year period doing martial arts (never did learn to duck). My brothers wasn't due to injury, his was due to sinus problems.

Edit:  I really think it goes back to how good the Doctor is, I'm thinking about getting it looked at again by a different one.
Lambo