Revision Rhinoplasty

Before we understand what septoplasty is, we need to see what a nasal septum is. You should know that it is the partition located inside our noses, which separates the right nostril from the left one. It is made out of cartilage. In most cases the nasal septum is upright and straight, conveniently located exactly in the middle of our nose. If this area is not straight it will cause breathing problems and a lot of complications. Septoplasty is performed in order to correct eventual problems noticed with the nasal septum.

When surgery is performed, the patient is usually put under general anesthetic. The doctor will make a small incision in your skin, right over your septum. Then the cartilage is straightened and eventually positioned in the middle of your nose (in the event that it was deviated or placed badly). You need to know that the cartilage will change into bone as we move further inside the nose. If the bone is crooked, it will need to be corrected. This is usually done by cutting parts of the bone. In most cases the doctor will utilize dissolvable stitches so that no signs remain after the recovery period is over. You will be happy to know that during septoplasty you will not feel a thing. This is because you will be asleep thanks to the effects of anesthesia. Splints and nasal packing can be used in order to fix the new position of the septum. Thy will be removed the second day after surgery in most cases. Most patients are fit enough to go home after nasal packing is removed. Unfortunately you do need to prepare for at least one night spent in the hospital or clinic where the operation is performed.

In some situations septoplasty is not necessary. This can only be determined after the doctor will perform some tests. If surgery is not needed you will have to take nasal drops or use nasal sprays in the event that you have a blocked nose. Unfortunately, in some situations the operation can not be avoided. In this case all you can do is choose the best possible doctor and make sure that you respect everything that he/she tells you. Before septoplasty it is highly recommended that you stop smoking. Also, if your weight is higher than normal, you should lose weight. Any blood pressure problem needs to be reported and do not hide anything from the doctor. The surgeon will also perform various tests and will let you know what you can expect after septoplasty. Then the surgery ends you might need oxygen for some hours, especially if your past showed chest problems. You can expect the nose to feel uncomfortable and be sore. Remember that you will also get special indications for what to do when you get home. Painkillers might b needed and antiseptic creams or nose drops might be needed. As time passes all breathing problems will disappear and you will start to feel a lot better. We recommend that you pay attention to blowing your nose as it should be done in a very gentle manner. Do not get scared if you see blood stains in the handkerchief. In most cases they are just marks from the surgery and will eventually disappear. Physical exercise needs to be avoided and you should avoid any area that is filled with smoke. Most patients will be able to return to work in around 2 weeks after the septoplasty surgery.

Keep in mind that every individual is different. This basically means that complications can appear. It is crucial that you keep a close relationship with the surgeon even after septoplasty is over.