Deviated Septum Anyone? (Septoplasty/Rhinoplasty)

[Rissask]

Has anyone ever had this surgery?

I have always known I had a deviated septum, but in the last couple of years I have noticed it getting worse and worse; it seems like my left nostril is constantly plugged.

I just had my first appointment with the ears, nose and throat guy yesterday- it went fairly well. He said I had obviously broken my nose at one point, he could feel the fracture points- must have been that volleyball someone spiked into my face in grade ten, I told him.


So I am on the waiting list for surgery, a year to a year and a half, he said. I was hesitant after he described how bad the reovery is, apparently the first two weeks are pure hell, but I think it should be worth it in the end? Assuming it is fixed, of course.

What he said is, it might not be unbearable yet- but one day it will be, and the operation will be the same then, so why suffer for the next ten years with it, why not do it now.

One bonus is he will do the outside rhinoplasty at the same time, for no extra cost- whoo hoo- free nose job! I even got him talked into trimming 4 mm off (what I see as) my bulbous tip.

So- any experiences with this?

[Heather]

Suuuure it's a deviated septum. Isn't that what all starlets say when they get a nose job?

[Rissask]

I know, I thought of that.
But, no, really and truly, I can't breathe properly. It's funny, because Don is on the wait list to get the exact same surgery, he broke his nose in hockey a couple of times, and the cartilage is blocking both passages. But he isn't as vain as I am, so he isn't getting the rhinoplasty part- which means his nose may end up even more crooked looking, though, but his recovery will be easier than mine.

Boy, once you get to be a certain age...it's just patch, patch, patch.

[Rissask]

54 hits and no one has had it done....or knows anyone who has....or wants to admit they have?

Am I over-sharing again?

[Babaloo]

i know nothing about deviated septums..
...but a year and a half wait?
That's typical up there?

[Mikefrost]

Ris,

My Father-in-law is an ENT doctor in North Battleford. I can get some horror stories from him if you like!

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

i know nothing about deviated septums..
...but a year and a half wait?
That's typical up there?

For non-essential, elective surgery yes, very typical. You just have to be organized and get on the list well before you really 'need' something done. Don has been on the wait list for a new hip for almost a year now, by the time they call him, it will be just the right time he thinks.

Thanks Mike, sure....I think. See what he says- my doctor is be Rick Gore-Hickman. Apparently it is normal to charge $$ for the difference for the cosmetic part- but since he does both surgeries (he says he does the most rhinos in Sk every year) then he won't charge me anything. Which I was really happy to hear- I thought it would be at least a grand if I wanted to get that done.

[Mogley]

Originally Posted by Rissask

Has anyone ever had this surgery?

I have always known I had a deviated septum, but in the last couple of years I have noticed it getting worse and worse; it seems like my left nostril is constantly plugged.

I have always noticed a little twang in your post

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by Mogley

I have always noticed a little twang in your post

a leetle nasal inflection?

It would sure be nice to be able to breathe other than when I go somewhere humid for 2 weeks every winter....in Mexico I am in heaven....it is SO dry here!

[Rissask]

I just figured something out....apparently people's perceptions of a doc's personality are just like when you read hotel reviews on Trip Advisor.....to one person he is 'arrogant and condescending' and to the next person he is 'professional and hilarious, with a pleasant personality'!

This is a handy site by the way.
Dr. Rick Gore-Hickman | RateMDs.com

[4wheeled]

Originally Posted by Rissask

One bonus is he will do the outside rhinoplasty at the same time, for no extra cost- whoo hoo- free nose job! I even got him talked into trimming 4 mm off (what I see as) my bulbous tip.

So- any experiences with this?

no experiences but i believe i learned in school that our ears and noses continue to grow as we age. wonder how long it'll take for your bulbous tip to grow back?

[gottago]

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[gottago]

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[Rissask]

Originally Posted by 4wheeled

no experiences but i believe i learned in school that our ears and noses continue to grow as we age. wonder how long it'll take for your bulbous tip to grow back?

Paul....hopefully, a few decades?


Thanks gottago....that is what I heard, the first two weeks are a real bitch .... packing in the nose, can't breathe through it, dry mouth, trouble sleeping, pain ... and I will have the black eyes and stitches to boot. Fun.

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by gottago

...or messages on this site.

Very true, dat ...can you believe, some people think I am an annoying and condescending disloyal know-it-all , and others think I am really pretty cool, with a great sense of humour.