Hi, I'm Jason. In November of 2003, I had a septoplasty — surgery to correct a deviated nasal septum. Before I had my surgery, I spent many hours searching the web to find personal stories of what it was like to recover from a septoplasty. Almost everything I googled just covered the technical aspects of nasal obstructions and surgeries but didn't help me understand what my life would be like for the days, weeks and months after I left the hospital. So as I went through the experience, I documented my story for the benefit of others out there. In the months that followed, other people facing the same procedure contacted me with questions. Others sent me their stories to share. I hope the information on this site helps you prepare for or recover from your septoplasty.
My story: In 2001, I had a bad cold. My nose plugged up, the pressure built, and I couldn't keep my nose clear enough to breathe through it. That's always bugged me, and I used nose spray for several years growing up to keep unplugged, but this time was worse. After one night where I didn't sleep at all and experienced something the closest I ever had to a panic attack, I went to see the doctor. I was diagnosed with a sinus infection and put on antibiotics. He also asked me if I had broken my nose as a child, and told me I have a deviated septum. Read my story →
Holly's story: After years and years (and years!) of struggling with debilitating allergies and sinus infections, I was referred out by my physician to an allergist/ENT. From the get-go, he kept asking me if I had ever broken my nose... Read Holly's story →
Bill's story: First off, my name is Matt and I am 18...I live in Michigan and would just like to say that I have one of the greatest doctors ever! Doctor Benn Gilmore of Novi, MI...he's the president of the Ear, Nose, and Throat committee in Michigan. I hear a lot of storys of people being sore for months and having fevers and splints stitched to there noses but mine was virtually pain free thanks to his expertise! Read Bill's story →
David's story: For many years I have suffered from sinus problems and finally, at the age of 61, decided to have something done. My GP thought I had a perforated septum and referred to an ENT specialist in May. He diagnosed a deviated septum and suggested saline inhalers which had little effect By the beginning of August we decided that a septoplasty could be the solution and it was arranged for Wednesday August 27... Read David's story →
Rob's story: I had my septoplasty done feb. 25th, and almost 1.5 months later, things are coming along. After the operation: Could not breath very well, and didn't really "sleep", but was rather knocked half KO'd by the drugs; which gave me the worst nightmares. Couple of weeks later, the nose was clogged with massive blood clots... Read Rob's story →
Christine's story: I had my septoplasty carried out in Glasgow (Scotland) on 29 September 2010. I'd had increasing problems with nose-breathing for about, oh, 10 years or so. I don't ever remember bashing my nose or having some kind of injury, so it's a mystery how the septum came to be so deviated. I'd used nasal sprays for a long time - who knows if that contributed. Anyway, it was most problematic at night; I could only sleep on my left side, because if I lay on my back I snored appallingly (according to my husband), and if I lay on my right side the 'good' nostril closed over completely and I'd start gasping like a fish out of water. I was waking up with headaches of varying severity almost every day, which I attributed to the mouth-breathing and dry throat I got, as well as pressure building up in my sinuses when I lay down. Enough was enough, I thought... Read Christine's story →