Turbinate Reduction Surgery- My New Nose
When I decided to have turbinate reduction surgery, I did not turn to google to learn more about the surgery. I didn’t want to know the details of how the surgery would take place or the horror stories of a few people on the internet who had less than fantastic experiences. I knew the ENT that I respected said it would help me feel like I had a permanent solution to the nightly nose spray I used to open my airways. I was sold.
If you are planning on having the surgery and want to know what I bought that helped the most keep reading or skip to the end. These are the only things I wish I knew ahead of time.
My Symptoms:
I have always complained of being congested, but thought I had seasonal allergies. I live in the Midwest and just assumed it was pollen or dust or something in my house. I’ve been tested for allergies and came back with being allergic to dust mites. I have the protective pillow cases and mattress protectors. I vacuum regularly and dust. I do all the things, and was still stuffy.
I have been on a mission to get my family breathing better this year. I’ve talked about my tongue tie and lip tie surgery. We’ve done oral myology with daily exercises for my lip and tongue. While this was all incredibly helpful, I still was not experiencing everything the dental and mouth specialist claimed would happen. My tongue was not wanting to stick to the top of the roof of my mouth like it should. My digestive issues weren’t exactly solved and I struggled to breathe easily through my nose.
How I Learned about Turbinate Reduction:
My seven year old son was scheduled to get a laser tongue and lip tie release, but after the flu shot we knew that was not a possibility. He has an extreme fear of needles and basically pain. We’ve seen a therapist to help with these fears, but knew he needed to have surgery. Because of a poor experience in Omaha we decided to drive to Kansas City to see an ENT who was recommended for tongue and lip tie surgery.
I can not say enough wonderful things about they way we were treated by the staff at Acentist Healthcare. At my son’s appointment Dr. Walls suggested he needed a turbinate reduction surgery. I was expecting tongue, lip and adenoids, but had never heard of this. His P.A. stayed to explain the procedure and why he needed it. While she was talking, I said “I need this. I’m always stuffy. Can you look at me?” She agreed to check and confirmed that I need the surgery and asked the doctor to come back in to do a full exam.
I told Dr. Walls that I had done the tongue and lip tie surgery and expected better results with my breathing. He said that was an interesting way to go about a nose problem, with a smile. Which I agree, but you don’t know what you don’t know. I have been to ENT and allergy specialist and never heard of this procedure before.
After our appointments the front desk was very surprised when I told them I needed to become a new patient and had already been seen with my son. But I am so thankful the doctor saw me since we drove 3 hours for the appointment.
My son and I were scheduled for surgery on the same day! Like I said I did not prep and just trusted they would tell me what to do for follow up.
So much better! I wish I had a before.
The Surgery:
If you are curious here is my perspective of the in office turbinate reduction surgery. First they gave me ibuprofen and placed cotton rolls with strings attached in my nose and left me to wait about 15 minutes. When my front teeth went numb we knew that it was working.
The doctor and assistants came in and leaned me back in the chair. I closed my eyes and didn’t see what they were doing next. I have no idea what kind of tools were used, or how he saw what he was doing, but I believe it was all done on a screen behind me. They inserted something into my nose to numb me more. That I could feel go down my throat and they said would make my heart beat faster. (It had epinephrine to reduce bleeding, but is also adrenaline so that is why my heart beat. I only wish my apple watch was set to record how fast my heart beat!)
Then the doctor started pushing around my nostrils and up in my nose. It didn’t hurt but I could feel it, kind of like getting dental work. It was not comfortable, but not unbearable, and I knew it was a fast surgery.
After a while I heard, “Are you doing okay?” to which I responded, “Sure.” And the doctor laughed because it wasn’t what he expected. Then he asked if I was in pain and I confirmed I was not in pain.
I got a bonus surgery, because he found a nasal spur. I heard, “You’re going to feel a little pressure.” Anytime a doctor says a little pressure, that’s a lie! I felt like he was trying to break a bone in my nose. Again bearable, but not comfortable. And it was over fast. They did warn me I would hear crunching, and I did. Afterwards, I just wondered where that broken up spur went, but I guess my body took care of it.
Then he was done. They taped gause pads under my nose and I was able to take the heavy dose Tylenol. I walked out and waited for my youngest son’s appointment with Dr. Walls. (He got two surgeries and one first appointment with us that day.) We will return for tonsils being removed for my youngest
It was uncomfortable until the Tylenol kicked in. That was about 20 minutes.
Recovery:
I am nearly three weeks out from surgery. I am definitely taking ibuprofen night and day. I’ve tried to wean off and not been successful. But I am not taking both Tylenol and ibuprofen like the first few days. The first three weeks are supposed to be the worst.
I feels like my nose is alive. Or like a sore throat, but instead a sore nose.
The first day I had to wear the gauze. It was not a nose bleed, but a bleeding nose. I could breathe out of my nose and could tell I was breathing better.
I slept elevated the first night and was supposed to the first 3 days, but couldn’t.
I did nasal rinses 3 times a day and they felt wonderful. They sent me home with a NasoPure kit. It is like a Neti Pot, but you force the water through. It was able to loosen up and remove what blowing my nose could not. Think what you produce with a cold.
I found that 1 cup of filtered water in the microwave for 38 seconds was perfect amount and temperature. I started with coffee cups and then realized that a measuring cup had a spout and would pour much better.
I have a considerable amount of drainage and disgusting nose gunk. It was produced all day and night for the first two weeks and has tapered down to just mornings.
Everything felt congested and I just wanted it out. Then I remembered that at my cooking club favorite things Christmas party I received a facial steamer. Thank you Jesus! I started steaming my face for 3-5 minutes before doing the nasal rinse. That helped loosen everything up!
But that wasn’t enough. I wanted to massage to help break up whatever was stuck more, but using my fingers to massage hurt. Enter that jade roller I got year back. I gently rolled along my nose while steaming and found the best results.
I know this is strange, but having caffeine helps too. I love a strawberry refresher, and after the caffeine is going, everything feels better.
At my two week check up Dr. Walls numbed my nose again just with gauze and went in with a tool to remove debris that was high in my nasal passage. I remember him saying, “Welcome to your new nose. Don’t get high on the feeling, I can see you going there.” He was right. I closed my eyes and it felt amazing to breathe better than I can remember in my life. They told me I would still have scabs coming off and to do nasal rinses.
While my nose is still hurting and healing I don’t regret getting the surgery. I can breathe better than ever in the day time and know my body will continue healing. (My son doesn’t hurt at all and didn’t experience any of the same symptoms. Thank goodness. He was not a happy camper after his mouth and nose surgery the first few hours and days. Quote: “This is the worst!” yelled at the top of his lungs in the car.”
Take Away:
If you are thinking about having the surgery, I had a good outcome. I can breathe better and know it is going to improve my sleep and quality of life. I can already see that the dark circles under my eyes are becoming less and less!
What to Buy:
I don’t have affiliate links, this is just so you can know what I used.
Extra nasal rinse packets (Whatever brand you like)
Chapstick
Jade Roller
Ayer Gel- I didn’t know about this one until my two week appointment, but it is like chapstick for your nose.
Nasopure nasal rinse system: If your surgery center isn’t going to provide one.
Ibuprofen
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional at all. This is not medical advice. You should speak to your doctor about what is best for you and what you might experience.
