Septoplasty

flying after deviated septum surgery
flying after deviated septum surgery

What happens before septoplasty?

You’ll meet with your healthcare provider to discuss your septoplasty. They’ll give you a list of preoperative instructions, which you should follow closely.

Your provider will need to know about all medications you’re currently taking, including nonprescription drugs, supplements and herbs. Before surgery, you should stop taking drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and certain herbal supplements, which make it harder for blood to clot. You should also tell your provider if you have allergies or bleeding problems.

What happens during septoplasty?

Septoplasty is usually performed on an outpatient basis, so most people go home the day of their surgery. In most cases, a healthcare provider will place you under general anesthesia. This means you’ll be asleep during the operation. Local anesthesia, which numbs the part of the body targeted for surgery, might be an option.

The procedure takes place entirely inside your nose. Your surgeon creates an incision (cut) on one side of your nose and lifts the mucosa (a thin membrane that covers and protects the septum). This allows your surgeon to reshape the septum’s bone and cartilage. Sometimes your surgeon will remove parts of the bone and cartilage, then reshape and reposition your nose’s underlying structures. Afterward, they’ll reposition the mucosa back over the septum. Your nose is not broken during surgery. The operation takes between 30 and 90 minutes.

Afterward, your surgeon may insert splints or soft packing to hold nasal tissue in place, prevent nosebleeds and reduce the risk of scar tissue. Usually, the splints stay in one week. Sometimes, your surgeon might leave only dissolving stitches, which disappear on their own over time.

How painful is a septoplasty?

Following septoplasty, you can expect mild to moderate discomfort. Many people compare the feeling to a sinus infection — with some pain and pressure around the eyes, across the forehead and across the cheeks and upper teeth. These side effects are normal and generally fade within a few days.

What happens after septoplasty?

After your septoplasty, your medical team will keep a close eye on you while the anesthesia wears off. Once you’re awake and doing well, you’ll be able to go home.

Your surgeon will give you a list of postoperative instructions, which will help you manage pain, bleeding and swelling after your septoplasty. You should avoid exercise and heavy lifting during your recovery. This is because an increase in your heart rate and blood pressure could lead to additional bleeding, pain and swelling. Your surgeon will tell you when it’s safe to resume your normal routines.

(Note: Read more about postoperative care below, in the section “Recovery and Outlook”.)

This post was last modified on December 10, 2024 7:47 am