Septoplasty
When you breathe in through your nose, do you find it difficult or feel like you are not getting enough air? If so, you may have a deviated septum. Individuals who suffer from a crooked or deviated septum often have difficulty breathing through one or both sides of their nose. A septoplasty is performed to help correct a deviated septum, creating a clear nasal passage for better breathing capacity. Our office is conveniently located 19 minutes from Downtown Atlanta and 12 minutes from Brookhaven.
What is a Septoplasty?
The nasal septum is the midline structure inside your nose that consists of cartilage, bone, and mucosa. The septum separates the two sides of your nose and provides structural stability to your nasal bridge and framework. A septoplasty is a procedure performed to correct a deviated septum, thereby alleviating breathing issues caused by reduced airflow of the nasal passageway. A deviated septum occurs when the septum is crooked or leans towards one side of the nasal cavity. This might be congenital, developmental, genetic, or previous trauma.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Septoplasty?
Individuals who are experiencing breathing difficulties may be able to benefit from a septoplasty. Dr. Walker will examine the inside and outside of your nose to establish a proper diagnosis and discuss treatment options with you. Generally, good candidates for this procedure include those who:
- Are physically healthy.
- Have a deviated septum that causes breathing difficulties.
- Snore loudly, making it hard for you to sleep through the night.
- Have diminished exercise tolerance due to nasal obstruction.
- Have frequent dry throats from chronic mouth breathing.
- Have failed conservative treatment with nasal sprays or other medications.
Dr. Walker will discuss your candidacy during your consultation appointment at our Atlanta office. This appointment is important to determine your medical history and your desired goals.
How is the Septoplasty Procedure Done?
A septoplasty procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. It may be performed as an isolated procedure or as part of a rhinoplasty (nose job), sinus surgery, or other nasal procedures such as an inferior turbinate reduction. When a septoplasty is performed alone, incisions are made inside of the nose, while a septoplasty performed as part of a rhinoplasty operation may involve an incision on the bottom of your nose between the nostrils. During the procedure, Dr. Walker will lift the nasal mucosal lining away from each side of the septum to gain access to the deviated cartilage and/or bone underneath, which gets then straightened into the desired position, and the nasal septal lining is repositioned and sutured back together.
Septoplasty Recovery
As an isolated procedure, septoplasty recovery is quite straight forward with essentially no pain. Nasal packing is not routinely placed by Dr. Walker. There is no external swelling, no bruising, and no external incisions. No cast needs to be worn. Essentially, your external shape does not change at all and nobody would know you had this procedure done, to begin with. If the septoplasty is performed as part of rhinoplasty, the recovery is quite different. Be sure to elevate your head while sleeping to help reduce internal swelling. Any discomfort, if present, can be controlled with Tylenol. You may also be instructed to irrigate your nasal cavities with saline to wash away any surgical debris. Dr. Walker will provide you with specific instructions on when you can return to strenuous activities, typically after 7-10 days, unless you had a rhinoplasty performed as well.
What does a septoplasty do?
How can I prepare for septoplasty?
How long does it take to recover from septoplasty?
Can I wear glasses after septoplasty?
Who is a candidate for septoplasty?
Do you have to sleep upright after septoplasty?
Is septoplasty surgery painful?
Will a septoplasty help me breathe better?
What is the fastest way to recover from septoplasty?
Schedule Your Consultation
If your physician has recommended that you undergo a septoplasty, contact Dr. Thomas Walker today! As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with surgical training in head and neck surgery as well, he has the necessary training and credentials to perform a septoplasty procedure for long-term results. Our team will be happy to schedule your consultation appointment to get started on your journey towards an open nose!
