Septoplasty

[macheta]

My doctor thinks that I can get rid of the breathing problem if I go through septoplasty.  Has anybody gone through this before? What was the result? Were you awake during the surgery?

[Gideon]

I'll bet your doctor in an ENT specialist. we are not close to qualified to state what surgeries are appropriate, we do not know your anatomy. That said surgeries some times fully work, often partially work, and frequently still require CPAP to treat apnea, maybe not right away.

[macheta]

Yes, it was from an ENT. Do these doctors give to much hype to this procedure?

[Sleeprider]

ENTs are trained to treat flow limitation with surgery. That is what they know. It is a lot less painful, and usually more effective to use positive pressure to overcome airway resistance. I don't recommend starting with surgery when a noninvasive, less painful and proven solution is available. Your doctor diagnosed you with a deviated septum and proposes to do surgical correction. If you have a sleep study that shows sleep apnea or persistent upper airway resistance, that may be only the first step of more drastic upper airway surgery.

Does the nasal flow restriction affect you during the day, or only at night? Do you have sleep apnea? Please define the problem you are tryoing to solve, and you may save yourself from a surgery that pays a tuition payment or boat payment for your doctor, but doesn't do you much good.

[SarcasticDave94]

Many times on this board, we hear of surgeries suggested by an ENT. And as mentioned, most of these are painful, are experiences in buying boats for others, and then after you heal, you're sent to a DME to get your PAP and mask. Most of these surgical procedures work for some and have varying degrees of success that seems to end about 50% effectiveness and 100% of the cost. Although YMMV, it will almost always get you near the neighborhood I described above.

[macheta]

I did a youtube search of this surgery and the procedure is nasty! My Oscar data indicates over six months my AHI is 1.28 with clear airway index being the highest at .94.

[Sleeprider]

Macheta, what is your usual 95% flow limitation? That is where upper airway restriction will show up. It would be great if you could post a chart. Considering your very good therapy results, you certainly should not consider a surgical solution. To an ENT, all problems have a surgical solution. Unless you have a severe problem, that is a specialty to avoid.

[TonyJ]

My doctor thinks that I can get rid of the breathing problem if I go through septoplasty.  Has anybody gone through this before? What was the result? Were you awake during the surgery?

The procedure will definitely help someone with a deviated septum breath easier. You did not mention if you had one but I assume you do. I have had the procedure done and it was at the point of when the ENT diagnosed me with a deviated septum that he suggested I get tested for sleep apnia before the surgery  . I did in fact have severe sleep apnea. The result of the surgery was somewhat positive although I still suffer with chronic congestion at times. The procedure itself is not pleasant and you are under during it. The recovery is something not to be enjoyed. If he is suggesting that the surgery would be a cure for sleep apnea I would doubt it but if it is just to breath more freely then I would concur. The surgery combined with my use of CPAP has been effective in treating my apnea .

[SarcasticDave94]

That's good to hear about one like Tony that experienced the ENT surgery. I'd go one step further than what he mentioned, if any doctor or other medical practitioner tells you they can cure apnea with some surgery, do not believe it. They can offer a treatment but no cure exists.

Send your boat payment to Dave at...

[macheta]

Here's my data.