When Will I Be Able To Breathe Properly After Deviated Septum Surgery?

I'm 5 weeks post-op. My right nostrel is now NARROWER & no air comes through it! My left nostrel is ok unless I'm lying down. It feels like there's an OBSTRUCTION in upper part of my nose where the bone is. It aches. I also have ear-ache when I'm lying on my sides. My surgeon said it can take 6 months for swelling to go down & recommends antihistamines, but I'm wondering if I have enlarged turbinates? Or whether he's right and this is normal & I will get better?!

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1 Doctor Answer | Asked by Jenni1072

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Septoplasty Recovery

Dear Jenni, Did you have Septorhinoplasty or just Septoplasty? Your nostrils should not be altered by the Septoplasty alone? Typically when I do most of my nasal procedures from Rhinoplasty, Septorhinoplasty or Septoplasty I will do turbinate surgery if necessary. If you do not correct deviated septum's and turbinates even if the patient had no pre existing breathing problems they may develop them after surgery due to the nose being made smaller. Your surgeon knows best what... more

Michael Elam, MD

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Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

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Comments (2)

NoseIssues 31 Aug 2012

Hi Jenni. Just wondering how you feel now? I'm in a similar situation, except my breathing is worst when I stand up, better when I lie down. How are you breathing these days?

Jenni1072 21 Aug 2012

Thank you. In reply: I only had a deviated septum straightened. My ENT Dr. says the airways are clear, turbinates not enlarged, but there is swelling at the bridge on the right, the right nostril entrance is thinner than the left & tip has dropped slightly. Surgeon says this cannot be caused by the surgery.

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