Surgery Recovery Time

[NappieTime]

For anyone who has been through this; how long did it take you to be "normal" after having septoplasty and turbinate reduction?

And, has anyone had their tonsils and adenoids removed for snoring?

[Billinseattle]

Typical recovery is 10-14 days. Although, it may take longer to reap full benefits. Please remember septoplasty and turbinate reduction WILL NOT CURE YOUR APNEA. It will make nasal breathing and CPAP use much easier.

A tonsillectomy is a common adjunct to a UPPP. I've had both. A tonsillectomy can be helpful particularly when one has large tonsils...having them will always put any other device/procedure in doubt. Getting them out isn't a bad idea...but generally a tonsillectomy will also not cure your apnea. I do believe that it is much better than a UPPP( but that is my personal opinion and not based on any research or text).

A T &A in children, though, may actually be curative because of the relative disproportion of their throat anatomy. As adults, a T & A isn't nearly that effective.

Bill

[NappieTime]

Thank you, Bill!

I have been unsuccessful with CPAP because nasal mask leaking. My pressure was quite high (1 and evey mask I tried leaked! They even lowered the pressure down to 14, with no luck. I gave up and now I don't sleep.

Now, however, if I have this surgery, I think maybe the CPAP will actually be able to work! And maybe I might even need a lower pressure.

I appreciate your info!

[Billinseattle]

Nappie,

I think the septoplasty/turbinate reduction is a pretty good and well-tolerated procedure...as long as you realize that it will not cure your OSA, but just help you use your CPAP better.

Generally there isn't a lot of pain. Mostly there is bad stuffy nose congestion for several days after the surgery. Things improve when the packing (if used) comes out...then gets better when the plastic "splints" come out in about 5-7 days. Until then it is stuffy nose miserey...but doable. Afterwards, you'll be amazed at how well you'll breathe through your nose. This is likewise reflected in improved CPAP use.

If this doesn't do the trick. After surgery you may want to look into autopap for adjusting pressures and comfort. There's plenty of debate and comments on this topic here. It all starts with the ability to nose-breathe...and for you, this procedure may be helpful.

Go through this one step at a time, don't get talked into multiple procedures at this point. For example, taking your tonsils out may help if you're not improved and are looking at multiple procedures down the road...but it won't help with your CPAP use and certainly won't cure your OSA. Don't combine it with your nasal procedures. Don't do it as an isolated procedure...it won't help that much as an isolated procedure.

Best of luck,

Bill

[NappieTime]

Great advice, Bill!

I truly appreciate all your input!!

[Mr Mango]

I do support Billinseattle in his approach to surgery.

I had a night sleep study ( wife couldn't sleep because of snoring ) not requiring CPAP was the result.

Now the ENT said we cant have you falling asleep at traffic lights and keeping your wife awake.

UPPP, adenoids out, tonsillectomy and nose reconstruction. Made my eyes water for a week. Kick butt pain.

And Bill is on the money when he said the difference between children and adult result from having a tonsillectomy. Children yes but adults it does stop snoring and may reduce mild sleep not requiring CPAP but you will remain on that fine line. Weight increase or age muscle tone loss can see you requiring CPAP.

Life is like that for some.