Septoplasty in Istanbul

Septoplasty Recovery Time

You will not notice any scars after the procedure. The surgery incisions will be internally inside the nostrils. First few days, you will experience tenderness in the tip of the nose and swelling. The bandages will make it hard for you to breathe through the nose; you will have to breathe through the mouth.

Your doctor will prescribe pain relievers to manage the pain. You can return to sports after one month and follow your doctor's instructions. Expect to see final results and complete recovery three months after the surgery.

Alternative Treatments

• Rhinoseptoplasty
• Turbinate Reduction
• Nasal Polypectomy

How is The Deviated Septum Procedure Performed?

The surgeon makes an incision in the nasal passage on one side of the septum. Then the surgeon repairs the nasal passage, shapes the bone and cartilage, and performs other necessary treatments based on your condition. 

The surgeon will insert bandages into the nostrils to prevent bleeding. If the incision is large, a support splint may be required to hold the cartilage.

1. Consultation for Septoplasty

As in every process, you will take an online consultation to make sure that you’re a suitable candidate for the septoplasty surgery. During this consultation, your complaints and story will be learned in detail and you will be asked if you have had any current health condition or any surgery that you have experienced before, as well as the photos showing the deviated septum of your nose, or internal nasal imaging if any.

Thus, we can better evaluate your case and prepare a customized treatment plan for you.

In light of all the information you provide, it will be decided whether you are eligible for this treatment and if you want to continue the process, the second phase will begin.

2. Planning Your Trip and Choosing the Clinic

This is the stage where you choose one of the clinics and doctors we offer you according to your needs, and also where we arrange the date and trip plan that suits you upon your preferred clinic/doctor. 

3. Final Consultation with Your Surgeon

When you arrive at the clinic, you will have a face-to-face consultation with your septoplasty surgeon. Everything about your surgery will be discussed between you and your surgeon during this consultation.

The surgeon will ask you some questions to try to understand your expectations and goals better and also make you understand what you should expect from your treatment and the potential risks or complications of the procedure. You will also decide together on the individualized surgical and recovery plan that can be followed, especially during the first 24 to 48 hours after the surgery.

The surgeon will explain the whole process clearly and try to simulate it as much as possible, to feel comfortable and well-prepared. 

4. Medical Examinations

Before the surgery begins, your surgeon will conduct physical and blood tests to make sure that you are in acceptable health status for the surgery. Every patient is required to undergo medical tests to ensure that nothing can impair recovery. 

5. Surgery

After the whole preparation period, the surgery will consist of the following steps:

• Administration of Anesthesia: Some medications are used for your comfort during the septoplasty procedure as in every surgery. The choices provided for anesthesia in septoplasty procedures include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia.  Your surgeon will recommend the most suitable option for you and the scope of surgery.
• Correction of the Deviated Septum: First, the surgeon makes an incision in the nasal passage on one side of the septum. Then the surgeon removes the substance that blocks the nasal passage, shapes the bone and cartilage, or performs other necessary interventions based on the patient's needs. If the nose curvature is not only related to the internal structures and there is a bone curvature from the outside, the technique called "open technique" is performed and the skin of the nose can be opened.
• Closing the Incision:  Finally, the tissue covering the nasal septum is sutured with small gauze strips and inserted very tightly into the nostrils to prevent bleeding. If the incision is large, a support splint may be required to hold the cartilage in place. The operation may take 1 hour to 1 hour and a half.

What Should I Expect from Septoplasty?

• Post-operative nose bleeding is very common. In this process (for several days after surgery) nasal pads are used, which are often replaced.
•  The patient needs to breathe through the mouth. This can cause some discomfort because it causes dryness.
• Even if your nose is clogged, be careful not to blow your nose, as this can cause bleeding. If sneezing is unavoidable, try to sneeze from your mouth.
• There is a feeling of a vacuum that creates ear pressure in the throat during swallowing. This is a symptom similar to the common cold that will improve within a few days.
•  After removing the dressing, the splint remains in the nose and is removed 5 to 10 days after surgery. Removal can relieve the patient, but it can cause some pain.
•  The nasal mucosa naturally irritates after septoplasty surgery and produces a large amount of nasal discharge.
• There may be swelling on your face for 2-3 days after surgery.
• There are also sores in the nose during the first 14 days after surgery. 
• Home care consists of elevating your head while sleeping, a light diet, painkillers, nasal ointment, and sometimes salt water rinses. Your clinic and doctor will explain their use to you in detail.
• Typically, approximately two to four follow-ups are required for two weeks after surgery, and at least one final check (approximately three months after surgery) after wound healing is complete.
• Painkillers prescribed for pain and discomfort during the recovery period can be used. You should avoid using aspirin products or ibuprofen for 2 weeks after surgery. Antibiotics will also be given during the recovery period and should be taken unless the nasal packaging material is removed.
•  If you develop a fever, sudden severe nasal pain, or abnormal bleeding during this process, you should call your doctor.
• The healing procedure is not very painful, it is more like a severe cold. However, patients are unable to work for about 2 weeks.

Cosmetic Procedures Related To Septoplasty Surgery

Some patient prefer to have other cosmetic procedure that complements the nose surgery; these complementary procedures include:

• Rhinoplasty 
• Septorhinoplasty
• Piezo rhinoplasty
• Revision rhinoplasty

Septoplasty Side Effects 

Some of the possible reactions you can develop after deviated septum surgery include:

• General anesthetic risks
• Changes in the shape of your nose
• Bleeding
• Septum damage (septal perforation)
• Reduced sense of smell
• Infections
• Excessive scarring
• Numbness of the tip of the nose or upper incisors
• An accumulation of blood around the surgical site (septal hematoma)
• Drug Intolerance

Nose Surgery Results

Most patients report a high satisfaction rate, and septoplasty surgery has a success rate of 85% - 90%.

How To Prepare For The Septoplasty 

• A week before the procedure, you should stop taking Aspirin and any other medication that causes blood thinning.

• If you are allergic to drugs, you should inform your surgeon as soon as possible.

• Avoid smoking before the surgery.

• Consuming any alcoholic beverages can affect anesthesia. So it would be best if you did not take anything alcoholic before surgery.

• Follow your doctor-prescribed medication that adjusts your current medicines. 

Septoplasty Quick Facts 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is septoplasty invasive?

If your surgeon uses the latest method (endoscopic septoplasty), the surgery is minimally invasive to correct the deviated septum. The endoscopic camera guides the surgeon in performing the surgery. After the surgery, you will experience minor swelling and slight pain.

Is the septum removed in septoplasty?

No, your surgeon will correct your nasal septum and reposition it into the center. Your doctor might remove some parts of your nasal septum to correct its position. Once it is healed, you will breathe better.

How long does septoplasty last?

The deviated septum surgery takes 30 - 90 minutes. The effects of correcting the deviated septum should be permanent unless the initial surgery wasn't performed correctly.

Is Septoplasty Procedure Painful?

You may feel pain or soreness after the procedure is done. However, your surgeon may prescribe painkillers to relieve this pain and discomfort.

Does Septoplasty Leave a Scar?

To avoid causing an external scar, the surgeon often makes an incision from natural folds (endonasal incision or bottom of the nose incision)

What Are the Main Differences Between Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty?

The main differences between the two operations are related to the purpose of the change in your nose. Rhinoplasty is performed to change the size, symmetry, and shape of your nose, the surgeon improves the appearance of the nose while reshaping it during rhinoplasty.

The purpose of septoplasty is however more limited, this procedure is performed to correct the septum inside the nose. It includes a more structured and functional approach. These two procedures are often combined because they can have two interconnected objectives.