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.
There is usually little pain after surgery. If you experience discomfort, your surgeon may suggest over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen. People who've had septoplasty can expect very little swelling in the days after surgery.
Your nose may be sore and will bleed. This may last for several days after surgery. The tip of your nose and your upper lip and gums may be numb. Feeling will return in a few weeks to a few months.
The unpleasant part of this procedure is postoperative nasal packing and the pain and discomfort during removal of the nasal packs.
Nasal pain after septoplasty and septorhinoplasty is expected acutely, and numerous studies have been conducted looking into the optimum analgesia to manage short-term pain [4–6]. However, the length of postoperative pain is usually a few days rather than months or years.
Crying can grow swelling and inflammation around the nose and result in mucus-forming inside the nostrils. The swelling of the internal lining inside the nose caused due to crying can also damage or in severe cases burst the stitches.
Nasal saline irrigation
Your physician may recommend mechanically cleaning the nose and sinuses with saline. This can remove blood and mucus from the nose and help with healing after surgery. Nasal saline spray (such as Ayr or Ocean spray) is available over-the-counter. You may also make saline solution at home.
Postoperative Septoplasty and/or Turbinate Surgery (without Sinus Surgery) Instructions. Sleep with your head slightly elevated for 2-3 days. No heavy lifting or straining for 7 days.
Avoid heavy lifting and hard physical activity for 1 to 2 weeks. You should be able to go back to work or school 1 week after surgery. Do not take baths or showers for 24 hours. Your nurse will show you how to clean your nose area with Q-tips and hydrogen peroxide or another cleaning solution if needed.
Since the procedure is done entirely through the nostrils, you don't have to worry about scars or black eyes. However, patients may experience tenderness or pain at the front of their noses, congestion due to swelling, or nasal drainage. Swelling may last for about 48 hours, and drainage may last two to six days.
Septoplasty, a surgical procedure aimed at correcting a deviated septum, is often associated with its potential to enhance sleep quality. However, ENT physician Marc Error, MD, says the surgery is not a reliable treatment for sleep-related concerns.
For the septoplasty, a small cut is made on the inside of your nose on the septum and any bent or obstructing bone/cartilage is removed or straightened. The reconstructed nasal septum is secured with internal stitches.
Deviated Septum Surgery Recovery Time Off Work
People who underwent septoplasty are advised to take at least one or two weeks off work for recovery, depending on the nature of their job.
Pain control: Your surgeon will prescribe you pain medication to take as needed. If you feel that you don't require the prescription pain medication, you may take plain Tylenol. Do not take prescription pain medication together with Tylenol, as this may be too much acetaminophen.
Patients who undergo nasal reconstruction, septoplasty, turbinectomy, or sinus surgery usually have their nose packed at the end of surgery with a special soft sponge that has a string attached to its end. In some ways it is like a feminine tampon.
Activity: It is important to refrain from any strenuous activities for the first 2 weeks after surgery. After 2 weeks, you may engage in light activity (i.e. light walking). By 4 weeks, stretching, yoga, or light-weight exercises can be resumed. Heavy weights and all pre-surgery activity may be resumed after 6 weeks.
Avoid foods requiring prolonged chewing and avoid excessive facial movements for one week. Brush teeth gently with a soft toothbrush only. Avoid manipulation of upper lip to keep nose at rest. You may have some numbness in your upper lip and upper teeth for about a week.
Change Your Routine to Avoid Strain and Stress
If you usually sleep lying flat, then change your sleeping position to one where your head is elevated above the rest of your body. This will reduce the amount of swelling that can occur over night.
The use of saline irrigation eight to ten (8-10) times per day in each nostril can be quite helpful to moisturize the nose and clear debris. Also, if you can take decongestants, these will help. They can be either in a spray (Afrin) or pill form (Sudafed).
After discharge it is advisable to take at least one week off work and attempt to rest indoors for at least the first 3 to 5 days, avoid touching the nose, smoky atmospheres and exposure to people with colds. Sneezing should be done with the mouth open!
Persistent Nasal Obstruction After Septoplasty
This can be due to several reasons, including obstruction caused by issues other than the deviated septum that was repaired, individual factors that may cause tissue and cartilage to reshape over time, or problems with the initial procedure.
With gentle pressure, push the solution into your nostril. Let the solution run into the sink/tub from your nose and mouth. Irrigate each nostril with a full bottle of solution 3 to 4 times daily for the first week after the surgery.
Don't blow, pick or rub the nose for 7 days (this can cause bleeding or infection). Walk at least 10 minutes three times a day. Avoid vigorous exercise.