Turbinant Reduction 1 Week Ago; Have Congestion, When Will This Go Away?

Question

I had turbinant reduction on the left and a septoplasty 6 days ago ...I am still very congested and stuffy ..when will I be able to get rid of this conjestion

William Portuese, MD · Answer

In our practice, we tell patients who have functional nasal surgery such as deviated septum and turbinate reduction that they will not be  able to breathe out of the nose for one week, have restriction the second week, and you start breathing better by the third week after the surgical procedure. This is simply due to the swelling that is present on the inside of the nose.  It's always best to check with your operative surgeon. For more information, please see the link and the video below

Matthew Richardson, MD · Answer

Swelling after nasal surgery can last many months. At one week after septoplasty and turbinate reduction, nasal obstruction is completely normal. As the swelling and crusting inside the nose resolves, the breathing improves over time. Be sure to address post-operative concerns with your surgeon.
All the best,

Donald B. Yoo, MD, FACS · Answer

There are a multitude of different techniques for reducing the size of the turbinates, but all of them result in some swelling and crusting to a degree. After 3-4 weeks you should notice an improvement in your breathing as the swelling resolves. Touch base with your surgeon, but typically nasal saline irrigations will help the process in the early period.

Julian W. Dixon, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. It is very common to have congestion for the first week after a corrective nasal surgery and turbinate reduction. Usually at around 1 week you will see your surgeon and they will "clean" out the nose. You may frequently experience a brief period of congestion even after the first appointment for the first week or so as the swelling subsides. Hang in there, hope this helps.

Michael R. Menachof, MD · Answer

Everyone is very congested ( many can't breathe at all through their nose) for the first week after surgery. Often there is some "debris" that needs to be removed after the first week that is blocking the airway. By 2 weeks most people are breathing fairly well. It may take several more weeks to get the point of great breathing. Be patient, you are well on your way to better breathing.

Shashidhar Kusuma, MD · Answer

Nasal physiology is a very complex process.  If you had work done on one side such a short time ago, the swelling will take some more time to go down. In addition there are times when you have to maintain the patency of the airway with some nasal steroid sprays.

	There may be some crusting and some clots some times. So using salt water sprays can help. 

	sometimes the other side can also get enlarged as a compensatory response, so your physician will have to look at that and also do some medical maintenance.

	 

	You may never have complete relief and have periodic congestion but over time it should improve.

	 

	SK

Michael Elam, MD (retired) · Answer

It is common to have congestion after septoplasty and turbinates. It takes a few weeks to get better and each day after you should have more relief. Ask your surgeon about using a saline or steroidal nasal spray. These will reduce swelling and add some moisture to the inside  of the nose. Have your nose cleaned properly by  your surgeon and you are on the road to recovery. Best regards,

Richard Ellenbogen, MD (retired) · Answer

Relax it should be clearing up as you read my answer. I tell patients 2 weeks to breath better. ^ weeks to breath great. Also there is dried blood and mucus which must be cleaned

Turbinant Reduction 1 Week Ago; Have Congestion, When Will This Go Away?

Answers (8)

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