Numerous factors can affect the healing process following nasal surgery, which might take several weeks.
You should start by thinking about the kind of operation you have performed. You should be able to return to work in a few days if your surgeon has merely opened your nose and hasn’t done any major surgeries. You’ll probably just need to follow a few simple guidelines, including keeping your head up at all times, avoiding blowing your nose, and avoiding getting water up your nose. The healing time for nasal surgery, the duration of post-septoplasty congestion, the stages involved in the procedure, and how to shower following septoplasty are all covered in this article.
Healing of your nasal tube will take longer if you have a more complicated surgery done, like a polypectomy or removal of polyps. Saline spray or another type of humidification may be advised by your surgeon for a few weeks after surgery. Additionally, if edema is a problem, they could advise taking decongestants for approximately a week following surgery.
How long does nasal surgery take to heal
The duration of a rhinoplasty treatment can reach three hours. Most patients are able to return to work within two weeks, and recovery can be swift. However, it may take up to six months for the bruising and swelling to completely go away. We’ll go over the different phases of healing following nose job surgery in this post.
You will soon feel better.
Once the first week is over, you’ll feel better. While many patients report being able to resume their jobs in a week or two, others may require up to six weeks to regain their sense of self.
You can anticipate that your nasal swelling will go away in two months, and the pain will subside after the first week.
You might be experiencing nosebleeds or nasal pain.
You might be experiencing some nosebleeds. This can last for up to two weeks following surgery and is a typical aspect of the healing process.
You could find it hard to breathe through your nose. Try not to blow it too hard or use a straw until around three days following your surgery, as you’re better off sucking via a straw.
You might be experiencing pain in your nose. It just aches, and it could be caused by edema, irritation from packing within the nose, or any other cause unrelated to anything severe happening inside! If your morning soreness doesn’t go away within 24 hours following surgery, try taking ibuprofen before bed; stay away from aspirin and acetaminophen because they thin blood too much and may cause bleeding; and use warm compresses. Please get in touch with us very away so we can check on any swelling that persists for more than two weeks following surgery, especially if there is pus!
It’s possible that you have crusts in your throat or nose that need to be cleaned out once a day with saline solution until they fall out on their own (this should happen within 7–10 days). Please don’t try to remove these yourself if using tweezers to gently peel them off hurts; some people find this really uncomfortable! Instead, let us know when you visit our office so we can take care of it for you.
Expectations following surgery
You should feel better shortly after the procedure. There can be some soreness or nosebleeds. Following your doctor’s advice and taking care of yourself following surgery, which includes resting and consuming lots of fluids, is crucial.
Within three weeks of the operation, you should feel substantially better, but it may take up to six months for all of the swelling to go down.
When will your nose feel normal again?
Up to six months may pass during the recuperation phase. It will take two to three months for your nose to feel normal again. As you recover, the swelling will go down and your breathing will get better. If you work a desk job, you should be able to return to work in four weeks; if you work a physically demanding job or exercise frequently, you may need up to eight weeks.
The whole healing process to restore your nose to its pre-surgery appearance takes at least six months. Depending on the type of implant material utilized and the amount of work done on your nose during the procedure, this may change.
When can you return to physical activity?
During your recuperation from your rhinoplasty, you might be urged to refrain from specific physical activities. Avoiding these activities will give the nose and surrounding tissues more time to heal:
1. Overexerting oneself. Taking it easy throughout your recuperation can hinder or even stop the healing process of your nose.
2. Hefty lifting or too demanding exercise. Blood flow to a section of your nose that is already healing may be impacted by such activity, which puts a lot of tension on the muscles surrounding your neck and upper body.
3. Spending a lot of time (more than ten minutes) in a sauna or steam room, swimming, or participating in contact sports. If any bacteria are introduced into the body through incisions in the skin near locations like the ears where water enters during bathing or swimming, excessive humidity can aggravate an open wound, causing discomfort and swelling as well as an increased chance of infection.
Most of the things you enjoy can still be done.
Exercise, sports, and going to work, school, or social events are all still possible. You can even attend a movie! Maintaining your lifestyle during the healing process after nasal surgery is very crucial since it helps minimize bruising and edema.
how long does congestion last after septoplasty
You might be wondering, “When will I be able to breathe after septoplasty?” given that congestion will be felt right after the surgery.
After the surgery, tissue edema and temporary nasal congestion may persist for seven to ten days. Depending on how invasive the surgery was, recovery times vary from patient to patient; however, you can expedite the process by adhering to your doctor’s post-operative instructions.
Additionally, your doctor might apply intranasal splints during the treatment or implant a special nasal packing in the nose after the procedure. Both of these can speed up the total recovery even though they will increase overall congestion. At one of your follow-up appointments, if necessary, the packing and splints will be taken off of your nose.
Patients who have had septoplasty or turbinoplasty will still find nasal congestion to be a frustrating experience, even though it is only temporary. After surgery, a stuffy nose can be relieved in a few different ways:
Even though decongestant nasal sprays are sold over-the-counter, it’s crucial to remember that using them excessively can result in enlarged turbinates.
Recovery and treatment for nasal congestion following turbinoplasty and septoplasty
Immediately following surgery, temporary congestion is anticipated as part of the full six- to eight-week healing period. You can get rid of your stuffy nose more quickly if you follow your doctor’s post-operative advice and take good care of yourself.
After turbinate reduction and septoplasty, what should I eat?
After a septoplasty or turbinate reduction treatment, there are no special dietary requirements. Patients must refrain from ingesting hot foods and beverages, though, as this could increase their risk of bleeding.
.png)
septoplasty procedure steps
Nasal obstruction is one of the most common problems that brings a patient into a physician’s office, and septal deviation is a frequent structural etiology. As a result, surgical correction of septal deviation (septoplasty) is the third most common head and neck procedure in the United States, and it generally is performed to improve quality of life.
Workup in septal deviation
Presently, a variety of additional indications exist for septoplasty, from intractable epistaxis to harvesting cartilage for use in rhinoplasty (see Indications).
While septal deviations are readily apparent on computed tomography (CT) scans, obtaining a CT scan is not necessary in a patient in whom no other pathology is suspected (e.g., concomitant sinus disease).
Plain films are not indicated in most instances; they do not help because the cartilaginous portion of a deviated septum is not easily visible. Direct examination always is best.
Management of septal deviation
With a history of recent nasal trauma (< 7-10 d), the nasal bones and deviated septum may be reduced by lifting and realigning the structures with the patient under local and topical anesthesia. If the deviated septum cannot be corrected in this manner or if the septal deformity is long-standing, a formal septoplasty is recommended.
Intraoperative details of septoplasty include preoperative injections, technique via endonasal and external nasal approaches, elevation of the mucoperichondrial and contralateral mucoperichondrial flaps, correction of deviation, and closure.
History of the Procedure
3500 BC: The Ebers Papyrus, which contains the first known mention of rhinologic surgery, was written around this time in Egypt. Most of the procedures depicted in it were reconstructive because rhinectomy was a frequent form of punishment.
1757: Quelmatz was one of the earliest physicians to address septal deformities. His recommendation included daily digital pressure on the septum.
1875: Adams recommended fracturing and splinting of the septum.
Late 19th century: The most common operation in the United States was the Bosworth operation to correct nasal obstruction from nasal septal deviation. Using a specialized saw, the deviation was removed along with the corresponding mucosa. Results were suboptimal.
1882: Ingals introduced en bloc resection of small sections of septal cartilage. Because of this innovation, he is credited as the father of modern septal surgery. Around the same time, cocaine was becoming widely used in surgery. With its advent, anesthesia and hemostasis for nasal surgery improved significantly. Longer and more technically refined operations became feasible.
1899: Asch was the first to suggest altering the tensile curve of septal cartilage instead of resecting it. He proposed the use of full-thickness cruciate incisions.
1902 and 1904: Freer and Killian described the submucous resection (SMR) operation. This procedure is the foundation of modern septoplasty techniques. They advocated raising mucoperichondrial flaps and resecting the cartilaginous and bony septum (including the vomer and perpendicular plate of the ethmoid), leaving 1 cm dorsally and 1 cm caudally to maintain support.
1929: Metzenbaum and Peer were the first to manipulate the caudal septum, using a variety of techniques. The classic SMR was less effective in correcting this area of deviation. In addition, Metzenbaum advocated the use of the swinging door technique, and in 1937, Peer recommended removing the caudal septum, straightening it, and then replacing it in the midline position.
1947: Cottle introduced the hemitransfixion incision and the practice of conservative septal resections. Long-term follow-up studies of patients who had undergone SMR occasionally revealed dorsal saddling, retraction of the columnella, and alar widening; therefore, conservative resections during septoplasty were designed to avoid these complications.
How to shower after septoplasty
Expect oozing of blood for up to 24 hours. Change the dressing as needed for drainage. Elevate your head and upper body at least 30 degrees for 48 hours after surgery. Apply an ice bag over your nose and face on and off for 24 hours.
A heavy flow of blood from the nose or mouth should be reported to ENT, day or night. An on-call physician is always available by phone. If heavy bleeding occurs, remain upright and apply pressure to the soft part of the nose.
Long-acting over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays such as Afrin may be used to help reduce nasal congestion and bleeding during the first week after surgery. Use 2-3 sprays in each nostril every 8-12 hours as needed.
DO NOT attempt to blow your nose. After 24 hours, you may start to use over-the-counter saline spray (non-prescription) to ‘sniff and spit’ to clear secretions and prevent crust build-up.
Drink plenty of fluids for good hydration. Diet may be increased as tolerated the day after surgery.
NO ASPIRIN, NAPROSYN OR OTHER DRUGS THAT MAY CAUSE BLEEDING until further advised at your post-op appointment. You may use Tylenol or prescription drugs as ordered for throat pain. Also, be sure to take any antibiotic medication as prescribed.
No exertion or heavy exercise for at least 10-14 days after your nasal surgery.
Pain is expected to be mild to moderate after nasal surgery. Please call ENT if the pain is severe or excessive.
You may bathe or shower as needed but avoid “long, hot” showers or baths.
Conclusion
Nasal obstruction is a common complaint, and the prevalence of septal deviation in the general population is significant, with the literature reporting wide ranges from one-third of the population to 76%.
In 1974, Vainio-Mattila found a 33% incidence of nasal airway obstruction among randomly chosen adults. Septal deviation was found to be the most frequently encountered structural malformation causing nasal obstruction. Clinically significant septal deviation was found in 26% of patients with nasal obstruction in this study.
Septal deviation from traumatic impact can occur in childhood or adult life. Childhood trauma can cause severe nasal obstructive problems in an adult because any degree of septal deviation usually becomes more pronounced with time, particularly as the midface develops from adolescence to adulthood.
Depending on the direction and force of the nasal injury, septal cartilage can fracture horizontally or vertically, with single or multiple fracture lines, and can be accompanied by damage to the nasal bones or to the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid. In addition, the cartilaginous septum can subluxate from the vomeral sulcus. Usually, the junction of the bony and cartilaginous septum is the area of greatest deviation due to trauma.