Your surgeon will make a cut on the lining of your nose over your septum and lift the mucosa away from the cartilage and bone. They will remove the parts of the cartilage and bone that are bent and they will put the rest back in a straight position. Your surgeon may place some packing in your nose to prevent bleeding.
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.
In severe cases, a deviated septum can cause difficulty breathing, frequent nosebleeds, and difficulty sleeping. That small bit of bone and cartilage can have a big impact on your life. Dr. Marc Error highly advises a septoplasty for patients experiencing any breathing difficulties to improve their quality of life.
Septoplasty is a minor surgery that offers major benefits for many people. It can open your nasal passages and improve your breathing. While septoplasty is a common procedure, it might not be right for everyone. So, if you have difficulty breathing through your nose, your healthcare provider will need to determine why.
You will probably be able to return to work or school in a few days and to your normal routine in about 3 weeks. But this varies with your job and how much surgery you had. Most people recover fully in 1 to 2 months.
Surgeon's fees – generally between $5,000 AUD and $ 15,000 AUD, depending on the procedure. The fee will normally include pre and post-operative care. Fees will vary depending on the experience and qualifications of the surgeon and the techniques required to achieve your expectations.
If your deviated septum is making breathing difficult and the surgery is required to improve function, Medicare may pay for it. However, if you wish to get rhinoplasty only to improve the appearance of your nose, Medicare will not cover it.
You had septoplasty to fix the problems in your nasal septum. This surgery takes about 1 to 1 ½ hours. You may have received general anesthesia so you were asleep and pain free.
In most cases where the septum is deviated inside the nose, with no external deviation, a septoplasty does not change the shape of the nose. However, depending on the location of the deviated septum, a septoplasty may need to be combined with a rhinoplasty to get the best breathing and cosmetic results.
An untreated deviated septum can cause obstructive sleep apnea. When left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, heart attacks, diabetes, depression, worsening of ADHD and headaches.
Once they have recovered, septoplasty patients breathe better than they ever have, and they realize just how poor their breathing was before the surgery. Better sleep, more comfortable breathing, and fewer problems like congestions, nosebleeds, and snoring all help patients lead better lives.
Those with a deviated septum may favor sleeping on one side of their body for easier breathing.
Deviated septum surgery without insurance coverage generally range from about $4,000 to $6,000, if one is not also getting a rhinoplasty. With insurance one's copays and deductibles decide the actual cost to the patient; thus it could be completely free or a nominal cost of $500 to $2500.
Most people receive general anesthesia for septoplasty. You will be asleep and pain-free. Some people have the surgery under local anesthesia, which numbs the area to block pain. You will stay awake if you have local anesthesia.
"During septoplasty, we put you to sleep and correct the structural problem(s) in the septum using traditional techniques or endoscopes, both using special surgical instruments," explains Dr. Bressler. "We enter through the inside of your nose, so there are no incisions on the outside of your nose."
You may also wonder: Can you feel a deviated septum with your finger? If you have a severely deviated septum, you may be able to feel that the nasal septum is off-center when you run your finger down the center of your nose. But, in most cases, a deviated septum can't be identified through touch.
You will have to sleep with your head elevated for 24-48 hours after surgery to help the bleeding slow down and help the swelling resolve. Prior to surgery, set up your bed with at least two pillows so you can prop your head up at night.
Complications that may arise from this procedure include excessive bleeding; cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea; extraocular muscle damage; wound infection; septal abscess; toxic shock syndrome; septal perforation; saddle nose deformity; nasal tip depression; and sensory changes, such as anosmia or dental anesthesia.
You should not drive, operate machinery, drink alcohol, or make any major decisions for at least 24 hours after surgery. Your anesthesia may make you groggy and it will be hard to think clearly. The effects should wear off in about 24 hours. Limit activities that could make you fall or put more pressure on your face.
After birth, a deviated septum is most commonly caused by an injury that moves your nasal septum out of place. Risk factors include: Playing contact sports. Not wearing your seat belt while riding in a motorized vehicle.
After 7-10 days, patients can begin to use other sleeping positions. Be careful to avoid putting pressure on the nose, and if you can sleep comfortably on your back while elevated, continue to do so. This position is the best for avoiding swelling and congestion for the first few weeks.
Typical costs
For patients with private health insurance who had a Septoplasty in a private setting across all of Australia, 78% had an out-of-pocket cost. Of those: Patients typically paid: $620, Medicare paid: $770, Insurer typically paid: $850. Typical specialists' fees: $2,500.
For patients with private health insurance who had a Sinus surgery in a private setting across all of Australia, 71% had an out-of-pocket cost. Of those: Patients typically paid: $550, Medicare paid: $1,100, Insurer typically paid: $1,200. Typical specialists' fees: $3,000.
Your doctor may advise you to stay off work and away from groups of people for a few days or up to 2 weeks after the operation, depending on the risk. Do not exercise, have a hot bath or bend down for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities sooner.