Septoplasty Recovery - Time, Tips, How Long?

asked 2 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Jon Sattler, MD
Question viewed 17,721 times
Tags: downtime, pain, pain medication, recovery

Quite sure I need a septoplasty surgery but worried about the recovery process. I saw on realself about rhinoplasty recovery, is it similar with septplasty? What do i need to consider about recovering: downtime, medications, pain, etc? thank you so very much for your expert opinions.

6 answers to Septoplasty Recovery - Time, Tips, How Long?

Septoplasty recovery

I routinely recommend the following: If surgery occurs on a friday you will feel under the weather through the weekend. By monday you will feel very comfortable with normal activities and answering texts, emails, and phone calls if you choose. Ideally, take one full week off from work. At the end of that week the splints (plastic pieces that hold the septal lining back together) are removed. At this time, resume full work schedule and consider light activity only... more

Shepherd G. Pryor, MD
Scottsdale Facial Plastic Surgeon

Septoplasty- what to expect

Generally speaking a simple septoplasty is fast and relatively painless. Sometimes they can be complex and involve more extesive cartilage and bone work. Either way there you may have a minor ''packing" , a piece of cotton or gauze. This usually comes out in 24-48 hours. Should the septum require silicone plates for stability these are usually removed in a week by your surgeon.Initially you may still feel the air is not moving through your nose because swelling... more

Jon Sattler, MD
Glendora Plastic Surgeon

Septoplasty Recovery Time

A nasal septoplasty is primarily performed for breathing purposes. On occasion, a badly deviated septum can contribute to a deformity of the nose where the nose bends to one side. In competent experienced hands, the deviated nasal septum is often easily corrected intranasally within approximately one hour. Although surgeons differ, I place cotton in both sides of the nose and remove it the next morning in virtually all cases. There is usually mild discomfort... more

Sigmund L. Sattenspiel, MD
Freehold Facial Plastic Surgeon

Septoplasty

Usually, your nose will be "stuft up" for about 10days and you probably will not be able to breathe through it for that long. Pain is usually minimal. You should be able to go back to almost full activity after two to three weeks.

Edward J. Domanskis, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Septoplasty Recovery for Deviated Nasal Septum

Deviated septum surgery (septoplasty) is an outpatient surgical procedure. Many patients return to work within a few days, but some enjoy a week off from work for recovery. A small cotton pad may be placed inside the nose for the first day. Generally, I like to see patients both the next day and one week following surgery. While nasal breathing may improve immediately, normal swelling inside the nose after the procedure takes some time to resolve. Unlike rhinoplasty (nose job surgery),... more

Houtan Chaboki, MD
Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

Recovery form septoplasty

Septoplasty surgery usually does not cause external swelling or bruising. The nose feels congested and may bleed for two days, and pain medicine is necessary for about 3 days. Most surgeons do not use packing, but many use stents inside the nose. Most patients can breath fairly well after two weeks, and majority may return to work after 3 to 5 days. Some patients complain about upper tooth numbness for about two weeks. Good luck.

Maurice M. Khosh, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

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