septoplasty/turb reduction

[waker]

I'm scheduled for less than 2 weeks and having serious second thoughts is it worth it. I've never been under before the most serious i've done is pillar procedure 2 months ago

[aj]

I finally had this done in November. First time for surgery for me too (I put it off for several years). It was well worth it. My only regret is that I didn't have it done sooner. My allergies and sinus infections have all disappeared. I havent had an antibotic, antihistimine, of allergy pill for several months now.

[snork1]

I had this (and some other nose stuff) done around the first of the year.
It worked out GREAT for me.

I fought CPAP for a year of frustration. NOW after ther surgery it WORKS!

My opinion....if your nose doesn't work, CPAP won't work.

Based on my experience anyway.

Just make sure to do the saline flushes religiously, as directed.

[dizzy]

It's not that big a deal even afterward.

However, I would make SURE to meet the anesthesiologist who is to put you under, I would tell him/her that you have obstructive sleep apnea and that he/she needs to keep your airway open even during lunch

You can write this down on the forms, but sometimes they don't read that stuff, if you tell them to their face the will usally respond with how they intend to keep your airway open.

[Billinseattle]

The septoplasty, turbinate reduction is usually well-tolerated and worth it for most people.

It takes about 20-30 minutes. In the world of anesthetic and airway risks...the shorter the time, the better off you are. An exception , of course, is how your airway looks. For this, you will have to meet and have your airway (mouth opening size, neck flexibility, what is visable in the posterior airway, etc...) looked at by your anethesia person. That should give you some solace.

When I had my nose work done last fall, I had a very "difficult" airway. Friends of mine actually did my anesthesia and were very concerned. Equipment and extra help were there...loaded for bear...and nothing unusual happened. Since then, I 've had three further procedures (one 5 hours long) to eliminate my apnea. In retrospect, the 20 minutes in and out nasal surgery was the easiest both in the OR and afterward.

I don't think you'll regret doing it. Please bear in mind though, that it will not cure your OSA, it will make CPAP use easier and breathing through your nose better.

Good luck,

Bill