Rhinoplasty, Septoplasty, Turbinoplasty Etc Etc - Perth, AU

Hi there. Thankyou!! I am so nervous! I am with HBF and am waiting to hear back from them on how much (if any) they will cover. To be honest, I wasn't prepared for them saying I might not get much back as I have private health... It is so expensive.. Are you looking at the Rhino, Septo and Turbinoplasty as well?

Thanks for your support, it really helps. I am wanting to improve my breathing on the left side and overall improve the harmony in conjunction with my face... I hope things go smoothly.

Thanks for that!! I am worried about it all really - swelling, bruising etc... Would you mind sharing your experience? and any tips/what you did to make things go well? Did you have the Total Rhinoplasty?

I had hardly any bruising/swelling at all. I will post some pics of what I looked like the day after and a couple days later. The next day everything turned yellow - very quick healing. Yes, I had several procedures - turbinate reduction, septoplasty, rhinoplasty with grafting and valve repair. The side with the grafting is still slightly swollen, but only myself and the surgeon can tell where it's swollen. None of my coworkers believed I had surgery until I showed them pics of the cast the day after! I really think the Arnicare and lots of water/ice helped me. Several soft ice packs and humidifier at night. I also did not go in to work for a week - tried to keep physical and mental stress to a minimum. I am very meticulous at cleaning everything and moisturizing - but not too meticulous to be the point where it is irritated. My surgeon was very positive throughout the whole process - I think his reinforcement that I would have a smooth recovery, painless and minimal swelling/bruising helped me mentally prepare. I'll find some tips I've written before and post here. :)

You will not be able to breathe through your nose until he removes the stents. For me, I couldn't breathe through my nose before the surgery anyway so it really didn't make a much of difference - I was already stuffy... your body will adjust and you just have to breathe through your mouth for a few days. The only thing I struggled with was the additional amount of mucous that my nose produced due to the healing/stents/etc. The pain meds helped me relax so I didn't think about the mucous as much. As soon as he removed the stents, though, I could breathe perfectly clear and the mucous went away. I had surgery on a Thursday and the stents were removed the following Wednesday. I know this sounds silly - but practice putting a clothespin (or something similar) over your nostrils and breathe only through your nose. That's what it will feel like for a few days. If you mentally prepare yourself and remember to avoid breathing through your nose - you will be fine for those few days. If you haven't already, check into "Arnica Montana" tablets. They really helped me. I started them 2 days prior to surgery & have been on them ever since. I had previously been on NSAIDs for my nose problems/allergies/etc. I have been NSAID free for about a month now thanks to the Arnicare. I hope it is something I can continue long term. I had packing removed from my nose on Day 2. It was Telfa non-adherent dressing.. not painful at all. I was really leaky post-op... sorry to be gross, but I experienced a large amount of bloody drainage. I had a previous surgery back in 2007 so I was already mentally prepared for that. Everyone is different - it is just the way my body reacts to 'trauma' of any kind. I made sure to stock up on gauze ahead of time. I ate a lot of fruit Popsicles - I found the coolness to be soothing to my face. :) I did eat soup probably once per day for a few days... I pretty much stuck to my regular diet. ((I wish I lost my appetite, lol!)) Make sure you have straws... you do NOT want to bump your nose on a cup!!! And definitely button up clothes for a few days. I barely bumped my nose today on a shirt and felt instantly inflamed - your nose will be sensitive to these type of things for a few months (from my understanding). I also drank a TON of water.. I think that helped speed my recovery. The house I was pet sitting at during recovery had a steam shower. I used it daily... the rotating of steam heat and cool compresses on my nose/face really seemed to work. I have been using a warm mist humidifier at night regularly.

You are so wonderful... I am going to stock up on things I think. How long ago did you have your surgery and which Dr did you have? It sounds like your recovery was quite speedy though.. For some unknown reason I thought I read that you don't use ice packs on your face - am I wrong? I really appreciate your help so thanks again :)

I had surgery on 3/12/15 - just a few weeks ago. Dr. Sumit Bapna performed my surgery in Dublin, OH. My post-op instructions advised to place crushed ice in a glove or bag resting across my face/eyes for at least the first 48 hours. I routinely use "Imak ergobead eye masks" (http://www.imakproducts.com/product.php?s=30131) across my eyes, cheeks and nose. I rotate a few so I always have a cold one. The mask is very lightweight and gentle across the nose. :) Is your surgery soon?

That is recent! When did you find you could get up and walk around etc? I am scheduled for May.... I just wish I could get it over with and start recovering already!! lol.

I was fine to get up and walk around that night. I was the same way - I haven't looked back since!!! You will be so happy. I am still taking it easy at work... normally I put away big bags of food but I haven't been lifting much just to be sure. And I'm super paranoid a dog is going to hit my nose.. but it's been fine. :)

That's good.. and did you feel ok and "with it" within yourself? I keep thinking that the more you walk etc it might bleed! Thank you so much for everything. I am so glad I stumbled onto this website as it has put my mind at ease (as much as it can be for now). I hope you don't mind all the questions!!! Please stay in touch and let me know how you get on. By the time my op comes around I bet you will be feeling amazing!!! Thanks again x.

Yes - I was able to give my mom directions to drive me home after surgery so I was feeling fine and "with it". I had a gauze taped below my nose to absorb any bleeding (gross, lol). Sometimes I had to change it often, sometimes I didn't. I did not need the gauze after 24 hours. I was super nauseous the next, tho, when the nausea patch wore off. My husband called my surgeon late at night and he advised us what to do. Some people react to the pain medication.. we weren't really sure what the cause was. Maybe pain meds, maybe the amount of mucous/drainage I was having. I would avoid doing much at all post-op...The more you rest, the better. I got up to get water and bathroom breaks - that's about it. If you are on good pain meds you will want to be active... but don't do it. You need lots and lots of R&R! ;) Glad you are chatting on here and taking the time to read other people's experiences. All of the information is so helpful! Everyone is very nice on here. I look forward to reading about your experience!! I hope your surgeon is amazing!!

That's good advice so thank-you. My only reservation is that I have kids.. the youngest is only 10 months so I am going to have to be really careful!!!! I will definitely keep you updated and fingers crossed everything is amazing! I still cannot believe it's really happening. Take care x.

Awesome! Are you have the same total Rhino? We can share our journey together.. Congrats!