Recovery from septoplasty is associated with minimal to no discomfort. You will have minor internal swelling and discomfort that can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication. Some patients experience temporary and self-limited numbness of their palate, upper teeth, or upper lip.

Most patients only need two main appointments: the initial consultation and the surgery itself. You’ll also have a follow-up visit scheduled shortly after your procedure so Dr. Walker can assess your healing and ensure everything is progressing as expected. If the septoplasty was performed alongside another nasal surgery, you may require additional check-ins to monitor long-term results.

You may start to notice easier breathing within the first few days after your procedure, once any immediate internal swelling begins to subside. For most patients, optimal airflow is achieved within a few weeks, with continued improvement as the tissues fully heal over the following months. If septoplasty is performed as part of a combined procedure, such as rhinoplasty, your final outcome may take longer to appreciate due to external healing.

Yes, septoplasty is often performed in combination with other nasal procedures to enhance both function and aesthetics. It’s commonly paired with rhinoplasty to address cosmetic concerns or with functional rhinoplasty surgery to improve airflow further. Dr. Walker will evaluate your anatomy and symptoms during a consultation in Atlanta to determine if a combined approach will deliver the best and longest-lasting results for your needs.

Septoplasty is a safe and routine procedure when performed by a skilled Facial Plastic Surgeon like Dr. Walker, but like all surgeries, it does carry some risks. Possible complications include bleeding, infection, or a small hole in the septum (known as a septal perforation), though these are uncommon. In rare cases, patients may feel that their breathing hasn’t improved as much as they had hoped, which can typically be addressed with additional treatment.

A septoplasty straightens your septum, the vertical structure consisting of bone and cartilage that divides your two nostrils and nasal airways.

Before septoplasty, you need to stop anti-inflammatory medications, aspirin, and herbal supplements for 1-2 weeks. These substances can increase your risk of bleeding. Always check with your healthcare provider first, though, to see if it’s safe to stop these medications.

After your septoplasty surgery, most of the swelling will reduce in a few days, but it can take up to three months for your nose to fully heal internally, although it usually heals faster.

Yes, you can wear glasses. Results are invisible, but your final breathing results may take 3 months to be apparent, although you should expect improvement after 2 weeks.

Patients who are physically healthy and have difficulty breathing due to a deviated septum are candidates for septoplasty. Some people are born with a deviated septum, and others acquire a deviated septum from nasal trauma.

To minimize swelling and bleeding from your nose, you should sleep with your head elevated for the first one to three nights after septoplasty.

Yes! A deviated septum might be impacting your nasal airways, and correcting the deviation with septoplasty will open up your nose and help you breathe better.

After septoplasty, make sure to keep the surgical site clean and avoid strenuous activities (including exercise and sports) for 10-14 days. Do not blow your nose and avoid bending over or heavy lifting.