If you’re considering a nose job, you need to know more about Rhinoplasty surgery. It’s…
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Living with a deviated septum is a constant challenge, and something which is all too familiar for many people who suffer from it. For those who may not know, a deviated septum is a condition where the section of cartilage and bone which keeps your nostrils apart is improperly positioned. In many cases, you may not even know you’re suffering from the problem until you start experiencing symptoms. In more extreme circumstances, the condition can cause a crooked appearance in the nose, difficulty breathing, or other serious symptoms.
The good news is that there are multiple medical options available to correct these problems. Read on to learn more about a septoplasty for correction of a deviated septum and what the procedure entails. As you’ll see, undergoing a septoplasty can help you experience relief from pain and other issues associated with the condition.
Believe it or not, many people may have a deviated septum to some degree – up to 80% of people, in fact. While minor cases of a misaligned nasal septum are asymptomatic, more serious cases will require surgical intervention or other procedures to correct them.
There are several causes for this condition:
Symptoms can vary greatly between patients, but they often include some or all of the following:
If you have experienced these problems, a consultation with an Ear Nose and Throat specialist like Dr. Shahidi may be in order. Your doctor can help identify the issue and develop a septoplasty treatment plan if you are diagnosed with a deviated septum.
If you decide to have a septoplasty, you can expect the process to follow these steps:
Your doctor will determine whether a septoplasty is right for you. From there, your individualised treatment plan will be developed.
You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to two weeks prior to your septoplasty. Examples include ibuprofen, aspirin, and related blood thinners. You may also have your nose photographed prior to the operation. This gives you a point of reference to see the septoplasty before and after results.
Most septoplasty patients are placed under general anaesthesia which simply means you’ll remain asleep through the process. In these cases, you should not eat or drink anything the night before your operation.
In minor instances of deviated septum, you may only need local anaesthesia. In these cases, follow your doctor’s instructions in the days leading up to your septoplasty.
For most patients, it takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes to complete the operation. Typically, your doctor will make an incision on the side of your nose. Your mucous membrane will be lifted to reveal the septum. Then, the septum will be adjusted to sit in the proper position within your nasal cavity.
Your mucous membrane will be replaced after the correction. You may also have internal and external stitches placed to hold everything together.
Initial septoplasty recovery time can take approximately 7 to 10 days for major pain and swelling to subside and up to 12 months to fully heal. You may have a splint placed on your nose which can usually be removed after a week. You may also have an internal splint, which is often removed between 1 after the procedure.
If you had external stitches on the area of your nose incision, those are generally removed within 7-10 days after the operation. Bruising and swelling will slowly diminish within the first month.
Long-term healing can be initially determined after about 3 months of recovery. However, you may not have a full recovery until your nasal tissue has softened – which can take around 12 months.
Specific timeframes and recovery steps will vary based on your exact medical situation, your overall health, the extent of the corrective procedure, and other factors. Your doctor will help you understand what to expect for your septoplasty recovery time when you review your treatment plan.
Many prospective patients are curious about what the total septoplasty cost will be. The answer to this question will vary depending on your precise medical circumstances. Typical factors which influence the overall cost are as follows:
In medically-necessary septoplasty correction, your insurance often covers many of the costs of the procedure. However, you need to verify this prior to confirming yourself for the operation.
Additional corrective procedures (such as cosmetic rhinoplasty in addition to a septoplasty) usually will not be covered through your medical insurance. You can learn all the details about what to expect for your septoplasty cost and insurance coverage during your initial appointment and consultation.
Patients who have undergone this procedure enjoy a variety of benefits, which develop at different points along the septoplasty before and after timeline. Many issues can be corrected, ranging from a better aesthetic appearance to improved breathing and comfort. However, just like any medical procedure, it’s important to work with an experienced medical professional who you know and trust.
Dr. Shahidi and his staff bring you a wealth of experience in a variety of cosmetic and corrective procedures – septoplasty included. During your consultation, he will help you determine whether or not this course of treatment will be right for you. You’ll also learn about what to expect for your specific circumstances such as recovery time, risk factors, and overall cost.
To learn more about how a septoplasty can work for you, contact Dr. Shahidi’s office today. Their professional and friendly staff looks forward to hearing from you.
06/06/15
Dr Shahidi is an Australian trained and qualified Specialist Surgeon in Facial Plastic and Ear, Nose & Throat surgery.
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