Endoscopic sinus surgery

[cherylsteele]

I have been told by my ENT yo make an appointment to schedule this surgery. I have a chronic sinus headache and can't seem to shake it with antibiotics. I have done the X-Ray and CAT-scans and all. It is covered by my insurance.....thank god. I also need to a have a deviated septum corrected.

Has anyone eles gone thorough this procedure and how long were you out of work? I have been told anywhere from 1 week to nearly a month.

[spurs=bling]

I have been told by my ENT yo make an appointment to schedule this surgery. I have a chronic sinus headache and can't seem to shake it with antibiotics. I have done the X-Ray and CAT-scans and all. It is covered by my insurance.....thank god. I also need to a have a deviated septum corrected.

Has anyone eles gone thorough this procedure and how long were you out of work? I have been told anywhere from 1 week to nearly a month.


my aunt got it done. and she was out for a month.

[Carie]

What exactly is involved besides fixing the septum? Is it that part that will keep you out for so long? I had sinus surgery but was only out of work for a day (a Monday, the surgery was done Friday morning). They just had to poke holes in between my nasal passage and the nasal cavaties beneath my eyes. It seems I lucked out. Either way, best thing I ever did. I was in pain daily as I had a constant infection for several years. I didn't realize how much pressure there had been until I woke up without it. Very dizzy for a while. But the difference it made was amazing. I'm sure it will go well for you!

[cherylsteele]

What exactly is involved besides fixing the septum? Is it that part that will keep you out for so long? I had sinus surgery but was only out of work for a day (a Monday, the surgery was done Friday morning). They just had to poke holes in between my nasal passage and the nasal cavaties beneath my eyes. It seems I lucked out. Either way, best thing I ever did. I was in pain daily as I had a constant infection for several years. I didn't realize how much pressure there had been until I woke up without it. Very dizzy for a while. But the difference it made was amazing. I'm sure it will go well for you!
My doctor said the same thing, but the septum is also the bad thing.....except she told me it would be at least a week....she did say however if I felt better I could get her to allow me to return to work sooner.

The septum is just about as clsoe to a nose job without actually getting one....however I have talked ot others who say they can include a nose job and get insurance to pay for it. I may just look into that.

I have a constsnt headache almost like a ongoing hanover....but I don't drink hardly at all...at least in the last several months.

[boutons_]

The same instruments for sinus work are used for colonoscopy.

[Vashner]

Snort some coke...

[Marklar MM]

Rule #2...Don't get high on your own supply.

[cherylsteele]

The same instruments for sinus work are used for colonoscopy.
As long as they don't go the "scenic" route to get to the sinus area. :lol

[boutons_]

OK, what I meant was;

The very same instruments used in colonoscopy are RE-used for sinus work.

:lol

[cherylsteele]

OK, what I meant was;

The very same instruments used in colonoscopy are RE-used for sinus work.

:lol
I knew what you meant....many medical instrument are used for more than one procedure.

I was being silly.

[Carie]

Hey Cheryl, who is your ENT? If you're looking for a referral for a surgeon I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Brown. I don't remember his first name anymore, but I bet my husband will if you want me to ask. He used to be head of a hospital here in town, and he's the guy all the doctor's go to for these problems.

[cherylsteele]

Hey Cheryl, who is your ENT? If you're looking for a referral for a surgeon I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Brown. I don't remember his first name anymore, but I bet my husband will if you want me to ask. He used to be head of a hospital here in town, and he's the guy all the doctor's go to for these problems.
It is McManus at ENT S. Texas consultants. As long as it is on my insurance plan (Cigna).

[ShoogarBear]

I knew what you meant....many medical instrument are used for more than one procedure.

I was being silly.Moreover, ENTs and gastroenterologists don't share equipment.

[cherylsteele]

Moreover, ENTs and gastroenterologists don't share equipment.

I am not sure who uses what instrument....I am not that concerned with that as long as it is done correctly and I can get rid of these damned headaches.

[cherylsteele]

Well....tomorrow at 9am is my Sinus suregery date....I am nervous, anxious, hopeful that it will help my headaches go away.

[Shelly]

I hope so too!

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Cheryl--What causes a deviated septum?

[SpursWoman]

Fact Sheet: Deviated Septum


The shape of your nasal cavity could be the cause of chronic sinusitis. The nasal septum is the wall dividing the nasal cavity into halves; it is composed of a central supporting skeleton covered on each side by mucous membrane. The front portion of this natural partition is a firm but bendable structure made mostly of cartilage and is covered by skin that has a substantial supply of blood vessels. The ideal nasal septum is exactly midline, separating the left and right sides of the nose into passageways of equal size.
Estimates are that 80 percent of all nasal septums are off-center, a condition that is generally not noticed. A "deviated septum" occurs when the septum is severely shifted away from the midline. The most common symptom from a badly deviated or crooked septum is difficulty breathing through the nose. The symptoms are usually worse on one side, and sometimes actually occur on the side opposite the bend. In some cases the crooked septum can interfere with the drainage of the sinuses, resulting in repeated sinus infections.

Septoplasty is the preferred surgical treatment to correct a deviated septum. This procedure is not generally performed on minors, because the cartilaginous septum grows until around age 18. Septal deviations commonly occur due to nasal trauma.

A deviated septum may cause one or more of the following:

Blockage of one or both nostrils
Nasal congestion, sometimes one-sided
Frequent nosebleeds
Frequent sinus infections
At times, facial pain, headaches, postnasal drip
Noisy breathing during sleep (in infants and young children)
In some cases, a person with a mildly deviated septum has symptoms only when he or she also has a "cold" (an upper respiratory tract infection). In these individuals, the respiratory infection triggers nasal inflammation that temporarily amplifies any mild airflow problems related to the deviated septum. Once the "cold" resolves, and the nasal inflammation subsides, symptoms of a deviated septum often resolve, too.



Diagnosis Of A Deviated Septum: Patients with chronic sinusitis often have nasal congestion, and many have nasal septal deviations. However, for those with this debilitating condition, there may be additional reasons for the nasal airway obstruction. The problem may result from a septal deviation, reactive edema (swelling) from the infected areas, allergic problems, mucosal hypertrophy (increase in size), other anatomic abnormalities, or combinations thereof. A trained specialist in diagnosing and treating ear, nose, and throat disorders can determine the cause of your chronic sinusitis and nasal obstruction.

Your First Visit: After discussing your symptoms, the primary care physician or specialist will inquire if you have ever incurred severe trauma to your nose and if you have had previous nasal surgery. Next, an examination of the general appearance of your nose will occur, including the position of your nasal septum. This will entail the use of a bright light and a nasal speculum (an instrument that gently spreads open your nostril) to inspect the inside surface of each nostril.

Surgery may be the recommended treatment if the deviated septum is causing troublesome nosebleeds or recurrent sinus infections. Additional testing may be required in some circumstances.





Septoplasty: Septoplasty is a surgical procedure performed entirely through the nostrils, accordingly, no bruising or external signs occur. The surgery might be combined with a rhinoplasty, in which case the external appearance of the nose is altered and swelling/bruising of the face is evident. Septoplasty may also be combined with sinus surgery.

The time required for the operation averages about one to one and a half hours, depending on the deviation. It can be done with a local or a general anesthetic, and is usually done on an outpatient basis. After the surgery, nasal packing is inserted to prevent excessive postoperative bleeding. During the surgery, badly deviated portions of the septum may be removed entirely, or they may be readjusted and reinserted into the nose.

If a deviated nasal septum is the sole cause for your chronic sinusitis, relief from this severe disorder will be achieved.

[Guru of Nothing]

Well....tomorrow at 9am is my Sinus suregery date....I am nervous, anxious, hopeful that it will help my headaches go away.


Best wishes!

I look forward to your post-op report.

[cherylsteele]

Cheryl--What causes a deviated septum?
Spurswoman pretty much summed it up. It is knda like a broken nose on the outside and and it not being noticeable on the outside. The DR. said it could be contributing to my problems like Spurswoman posted. The DR. doesn't want to do rhinoplasty.

[Carie]

Today is the day! I'm sure everything will go well and you'll be sinus pain free soon :) Keep us posted and enjoy those after surgery meds :lol

[cherylsteele]

I am feeling better today....it was not most fun thing to do.

I am a little upset at the doctor....I never saw her after the surgery. I was still bleeding pretty bad in the post-op recovery oom and the nurs only gave me one or two pieces of gauze and seemed to want me go home even though I was bleeding. I eventually used about 24 or so towles and didn't leave for 3 hours after the surgery. The pain wasn't all that bad.

The only thing now is the mucous that has been in the head for so long is now draining....it is very annoying....I have gone through several boxes of tissue.

[Shelly]

Hang in there, Cheryl!

[cherylsteele]

Last night around midnight....while just laying in bed...my nose started to bleed badly. It really shook me up. I called the Dr's office andspoke to the on call doctor. He told me what to do...it stop after about 20-30 min. I called the Dr. today and was told that it was a normal occurence.

I really wish they would have included this information in their post-op instructions....it would have made my night a whole lot more comfortable.

The post-op instructions were very lax IMHO.after surgery info has not been totally given.

[cherylsteele]

Update:

after a couple of trips to the ER for gusher-type nosebleeds...I am close to normal....yeah :spin

I have gone back for my secoand follow-up and now everything is going well.

The doctor said I was bleding do to a pllyup type growth she removed and I was bleeding badly at times from that.

The sinus headaches have subsided...... :spin
And I seem to have more energy.
after all the post-op crap I went through I still feel it was worth it.

[2Blonde]

Did they not end up doing the septoplasty either? I know you said they weren't doing a rhinoplasty. I ask because you talked about drainage and nosebleeds, and if you had a septoplasty you would have had you nose packed for a week or so and then it couldn't have drained.

[cherylsteele]

Did they not end up doing the septoplasty either? I know you said they weren't doing a rhinoplasty. I ask because you talked about drainage and nosebleeds, and if you had a septoplasty you would have had you nose packed for a week or so and then it couldn't have drained.

Yes....they did a septoplasty...but the doctor declined to put in packing until that next friday....8 days and a couple of trips to the ER and and a few EMS calls....this really made me unhappy to say the least. She kept saying that it was normal to bleed like that. She finally put a bandage that also had a clotting agent and a packing that was kinda like a magicians endless kerchief trick. Even the trips to the ER...3 of them...they did nothing until the 2nd time......that time they put in an expanding bandage that fell out when I started to bleed again. The next time they put in another bandage that resembled a tampon and expanded when it had blood on it. The next day is when the doctor finally did something to really stop the bleeding.

The doctor never came to see me in the post-op recovery room.

[2Blonde]

That is kinda weird. Of course I had my septum fixed probably 15 years ago, so things could be done a lot differently now. I remember when they pulled out that packing ( like you said , the magician's handkerchief) I felt like they were pulling out my brains through my nose. :lol But then almost immediately the pain went away and I could breathe like I had never been able to before. Of course the whole time the packing was in it hurt like hell.
Anyway I hope you feel better and this works for you. The results are the important thing.

[cherylsteele]

So far...the constant headaches are no longer there....so it seems to have been worth it so far.