Have you had Nasal Turbinate Surgery?

[Corie]

I've been having alot of trouble breathing through my nose. Always have.
I have really bad allergies and my nasal area always feels swollen & tight.

I finally made an appt. with an ENT doctor. He suggested something called
Nasal Turbinate Surgery.

I don't really know much about it but he said that his patients love how
they feel/breathe after having it done.

Can anyone tell me more?


Thanks!

[ArizonaGirl]

Sorry I'm at work so quick response.

I had it several years ago and would never turn back. The best way to describe it is the permanent Afrin treatment (only helps if you have ever used Afrin ).

Go for it and never look back!!!

[Corie]

Sorry I'm at work so quick response.

I had it several years ago and would never turn back. The best way to describe it is the permanent Afrin treatment (only helps if you have ever used Afrin ).

Go for it and never look back!!!

Really?? That sounds wonderful! I can never breathe out of my nose!

I can easily see how I could form an addiction to Afrin. Just a few squirts
and I can breathe.

That would be so awesome!!

[crazydiamond]

I had nasal surgery many years ago due to frequent breathing problems and sinus infections. I never had more than one side of my nose one open at a time.

It helped dramatically. Only side effect I have had is occasional bloody noses - I think because my sinus is so open and cleared out - it dries out too much during winter months.

[denvergal]

my husband had it and recovery was pretty hard for him and took longer than expected. afterwards though he felt incredible! he said he felt like he never knew what it was like to breathe that well and that easily BUT his ent warned him that in some cases the turbinates grow back and in his case it did, in less than a year's time so for him it was so short-lived that the recovery wasn't worth it. you may want to confirm this with your ent. hth and good luck!

[mecawa]

DH just had this in July, and says he would never ever do it again. The recovery was awful and took a lot longer than they said it would. It has helped him breath through his nose though, at least a little better than he could before. He's still having some problems though.

[ArizonaGirl]

I can't speak for anyone else but my recovery was really no big deal. I was back to work the next day, the only thing that I would suggest is to ask the doctor for a Medrol dose-pak because the swelling afterward can get a bit uncomfortable (like a head cold).

As for the turbinates growing back, it can happen but fwiw it's been over 3 years and I can still breathe great.

HTH

[elephantmeg]

In my experience (our unit does a lot of ENT surgeries) the regrow rate is pretty slim-less than 5% I would say. The first day is bad for some, a peice of cake for others. Our docs usually put tampons in your nose and trying to breathe around them is impossible.

[Corie]

In my experience (our unit does a lot of ENT surgeries) the regrow rate is pretty slim-less than 5% I would say. The first day is bad for some, a peice of cake for others. Our docs usually put tampons in your nose and trying to breathe around them is impossible.

What do your patients say after everything has healed? Are they pleased
with the results??

I just can't imagine breathing freely through my nose.

[Claki]

I had it ten years ago when I had my deviated septum fixed. My breathing problems are 99 percent improved. However I have had other nasal issues since the surgery that no doctor has ever been able to help me with since. My nose drips constantly all year round and I no long can control it or stop it by "sniffing." I can't say for sure it was caused by the surgery, but I do wish I didn't have this problem. It's embarrassing and annoying. And the worst thing is when doctors tell me it's allergies. It's not.

I recommend you do some research on something called "empty nose syndrome' before you do the turbinate reduction. I don't think I have it, but in my research about my problems I have read about others having complications from the turbinate surgery.

Good luck!