If you have a deviated septum, you might find yourself under the care of a septoplasty doctor in Mission Viejo. The septum is comprised of cartilage and bone dividing the nose into separate nostrils. It is known as a deviated septum whenever your septum is shifted to one side of your nose. A deviated septum can be hereditary or caused by nose trauma. A deviated septum normally involves one nasal passage that is different in size from the other, which often leads to problems with breathing. Other deviated septum symptoms include facial pain and frequent nosebleeds. The only way to fix a deviated septum is through surgery.
Septoplasty Preparations
You may be advised to refrain from taking certain medications in the weeks leading up to your septoplasty procedure. These types of medicines include those that can increase your risk of bleeding. You should inform your doctor if you have an allergy to any medications or a history of excessive bleeding. Some people can have a septoplasty performed using local anesthesia that numbs the entire area. It is more common for the surgery to be performed under general anesthesia, meaning the patient is asleep during the surgery.
If you will be going under general anesthesia, do not eat or drink anything before bedtime. This is a precaution that protects you from choking and vomiting if the anesthesia should make you nauseated. Make sure that you notify a loved one who can drive you home after your surgery, since the anesthesia will make you drowsy and may not have completely worn off by the time that you need to return home.
The Septoplasty Surgery
A septoplasty surgery takes around one hour to complete, depending upon how complicated the surgery is required to be. You will be under some form of anesthesia during this time. A septoplasty procedure normally begins with your surgeon forming an incision to access the septum. Next, your surgeon will move to lift the mucous tissue covering the septum. They will then shift the deviated septum back to the correct position at that time. Barriers like pieces of cartilage or bone or removed then. Finally, your septoplasty doctor in Mission Viejo will reposition the mucous membrane.
Septoplasty Risks
The septoplasty procedure is normally quite safe; however, there are risks involved with even the simplest types of surgeries. For septoplasty, these risks include bleeding, scarring, septum perforation, nose discoloration, altered nose shape, and problems with the sense of smell.
Septoplasty Recovery
The septoplasty procedure is typically performed by a septoplasty doctor in Mission Viejo as an outpatient procedure, meaning that you will be able to go back home on the same day as your surgery after your anesthesia wears off. It is usual for the patient’s nose to be painful, swollen, and packed with cotton to prevent excessive bleeding. You may remove this packing in a day or two after your procedure. Your septoplasty doctor in Mission Viejo will provide pain medication as necessary.