Anyone ever had UPPP surgery?

[Clifton Tesh]

Anyone ever had UPPP surgery or septoplasty?

I'm schedule for surgery on the 8th of march and I have read a ton of things about it.

My biggest concern is that on some of the medical websites I read it can take a week to ten days to heal, and on others I read 2 weeks to a month.

My Disney honeymoon starts April 3rd and I want to be able to enjoy all the deliciousness that there is to enjoy.

Any real world experiences and or suggestions to help with pain management, healing, and eating/drinking after the surgery would be very helpful.

 

[roseaster]

That is a fairly major surgery, and, as with everything, recovery times vary from patient to patient.

I would think, personally, that you are cutting it very close. I wouldn't schedule a vacation that closely. One never knows if there will be complications.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

That is a fairly major surgery, and, as with everything, recovery times vary from patient to patient.

I would think, personally, that you are cutting it very close. I wouldn't schedule a vacation that closely. One never knows if there will be complications.

The surgery is kind of a Murphy's law surprise thrown in the middle of an already booked and paid for honeymoon and wedding.

I had to go to the doctor last week over breathing issues... this surgery is the outcome of that visit.

He tried to schedule it for this Tuesday (Feb 23rd), 4 days after the visit. So I assumed his urgency in trying to schedule the surgery meant it was pretty important.

 

[roseaster]

The surgery is kind of a Murphy's law surprise thrown in the middle of an already booked and paid for honeymoon and wedding.

I had to go to the doctor last week over breathing issues... this surgery is the outcome of that visit

Is there a chance that you can reschedule the surgery? In all honesty, adults seem to have more post operative complications and a longer recovery period than children when it comes to ENT surgery.

It is a close recovery time, personally, if I could help it, I wouldn't want to chance not feeling well on any vacation, particularly my honeymoon.

I mean, it's five weeks, so, theoretically, you should be recovered, I, personally, would just prefer more of a buffer period. WDW is a pretty active vacation for us.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

Is there a chance that you can reschedule the surgery? In all honesty, adults seem to have more post operative complications and a longer recovery period than children when it comes to ENT surgery.

It is a close recovery time, personally, if I could help it, I wouldn't want to chance not feeling well on any vacation, particularly my honeymoon.

I mean, it's five weeks, so, theoretically, you should be recovered, I, personally, would just prefer more of a buffer period. WDW is a pretty active vacation for us.

I go in for my pre-op appointment tomorrow. I will find out how urgent the need for the surgery is.

I was editing my earlier reply when you sent this one, but the doctor made it seem like it was really urgent, I do not know.

At the time of the visit my head was foggy and I couldn't think of the questions i needed to ask. Now that I've had a few days to think about it, I have a handful of questions for the pre-op people.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I had a Septoplasty, turbinate reduction and balloon procedure in December. It was way more intense than the doctor led me to believe. I still had significant pain 3 weeks later and had to take something to sleep. It's now been 2 months and as long as I don't bump my nose I'm ok.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I want to add that the tissue removal from my sinuses wasn't bad, but it wasn't my throat I had done. The septoplasty is what hurt and is taking a long time to heal.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

I had a Septoplasty, turbinate reduction and balloon procedure in December. It was way more intense than the doctor led me to believe. I still had significant pain 3 weeks later and had to take something to sleep. It's now been 2 months and as long as I don't bump my nose I'm ok.

See, that's why I ask real people. Not that doctors aren't real people, but they make everything seem like you're just getting a band aid.

He told me it was usually an outpatient surgery, it heals in about 7-10 days, and you'll still have some minor pain after its healed but nothing that you can't take care of using Tylenol.

 

[2SLM]

I've had a UPPP. Pain and functioning wise you should be okay after 2-3 weeks, but from my experience, it takes several months for complete healing. Things will still be sensitive in there, you won't be able to eat like you are probably going to want too. I would defintely try and hold off.

 

[asta]

Anyone ever had UPPP surgery or septoplasty?

I'm schedule for surgery on the 8th of march and I have read a ton of things about it.

My biggest concern is that on some of the medical websites I read it can take a week to ten days to heal, and on others I read 2 weeks to a month.

My Disney honeymoon starts April 3rd and I want to be able to enjoy all the deliciousness that there is to enjoy.

Any real world experiences and or suggestions to help with pain management, healing, and eating/drinking after the surgery would be very helpful.

I thought that these were two different surgeries. My understanding is that UPPP is surgery on soft tissues in the throat for snoring/breathing problems and septoplasty is surgery in the septum in the nose. I had a septoplasty and a turbinate reduction surgery last year. I think it took a full month to recover and the first two weeks were very hard. There was a lot of swelling on the side where the turbinate was reduced. It took longer than a month for the swelling to go down enough where I could breathe easy.

I would think the UPPP would affect eating more than the septoplasty. With the septoplasty the only restriction is that it might not be easy to swallow with swollen sinuses. If you take the pain medication make sure you drink lots of water and eat fiber or take a stool softener.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

I thought that these were two different surgeries. My understanding is that UPPP is surgery on soft tissues in the throat for snoring/breathing problems and septoplasty is surgery in the septum in the nose. I had a septoplasty and a turbinate reduction surgery last year. I think it took a full month to recover and the first two weeks were very hard. There was a lot of swelling on the side where the turbinate was reduced. It took longer than a month for the swelling to go down enough where I could breathe easy.

I would think the UPPP would affect eating more than the septoplasty. With the septoplasty the only restriction is that it might not be easy to swallow with swollen sinuses. If you take the pain medication make sure you drink lots of water and eat fiber or take a stool softener.

I'm in line for both surgeries on the same day.

I have really big tonsils and a severely deviated septum. I guess they want to fix it all at once.

When you say swelling, do you mean like visible swelling on the outside of the face or is it more of an internal swelling?

I appreciate all the replies from every one. I know all bodies are different, but this gives me a lot better idea of what to expect.

 

[arminnie]

I had my tonsils out at the same time as a septoplasty - BIG MISTAKE. I would never do the two surgeries again at the same time. Your nose is packed and the throat is totally raw. Horrible. I had UPPP several years later. Also had turbinates reduced later date.

And if you are doing UPPP for sleep apnea it probably won't work unless they also move your tongue forward - Mandibular & Maxillary Osteotomy
Also known as Genioglossus Advancement, this procedures is designed to place tension on the tongue and improve the airway behind the back of the tongue during sleep.

http://www.calsleep.com is a web site for the premier sleep doctors - the ones who literally invited most of the surgical procedures for sleep apnea 25+ years ago. They are the gold standard for that specialty.

 

[North of Mouse]

The surgery is kind of a Murphy's law surprise thrown in the middle of an already booked and paid for honeymoon and wedding.

I had to go to the doctor last week over breathing issues... this surgery is the outcome of that visit.

He tried to schedule it for this Tuesday (Feb 23rd), 4 days after the visit. So I assumed his urgency in trying to schedule the surgery meant it was pretty important.

Have you tried a CPAP machine yet? That is usually the first line of therapy. Sort of a drastic surgery before trying something non evasive first. Also, you might want a second opinion. The recovery is not really fast, and some people still need a CPAP afterwards. I think a trip that quick after surgery would really be pushing it - JMO. Best wishes for your recovery.

 

[asta]

I'm in line for both surgeries on the same day.

I have really big tonsils and a severely deviated septum. I guess they want to fix it all at once.

When you say swelling, do you mean like visible swelling on the outside of the face or is it more of an internal swelling?

I appreciate all the replies from every one. I know all bodies are different, but this gives me a lot better idea of what to expect.

The swelling was inside my nose and sinuses, nothing external. The turbinate had to be reduced in size pretty dramatically and that area felt swollen and stuffy for some time. The doctor did warn me before surgery that he might have to go into my sinuses through my mouth and there would be extensive bruising if that happened. Thank goodness he could work around my septum and did not have to do that.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

Have you tried a CPAP machine yet? That is usually the first line of therapy. Sort of a drastic surgery before trying something non evasive first. Also, you might want a second opinion. The recovery is not really fast, and some people still need a CPAP afterwards. I think a trip that quick after surgery would really be pushing it - JMO. Best wishes for your recovery.

I am on a CPAP machine (been for almost 3 years with no improvement), but the surgery isn't being done due to my sleeping issues. Its due to my breathing while I'm awake.

I have extremely large tonsils and a severely deviated septum. I can't get my heart rate up anymore because I can't breathe. Everything starts to cramp up, I get dizzy, start hyperventilating, it's not pretty.

I'm a bit on the heavier side, I'm not in an unsafe category though. I don't have high blood pressure, no high cholesterol, nothing to make the doctors worry. I'm extremely active, I walk more than 5 miles a day. I just have troubles breathing.

What took me to the hospital the other day was my air way closing off. I was helping my brother in law move furniture. Next thing I know I'm coming to with people asking me if I'm ok.

When I start getting active, I can't get enough air in to fuel my muscles and brain so my body shuts it down.

I'm a mechanic, when the air filters clogged the engine doesn't run right. Our bodies are the same way.

I'm going to ask if it's an absolute necessity to do it this soon or if it can wait until the honeymoon is over. I know some doctors only see dollar signs, so I'm going to make sure that isn't the case.

I'd rather have fun on my honeymoon and be miserable when I get back. Plus, I love to eat and I don't want anything getting in the way of that while I'm on vacation.

 

[arminnie]

I used a CPAP religiously for over a year. Not once did I take it off even in the middle of the night. But it just did not work for me. So I had the UPPP, tongue moved forward and nasal implants (like breathe right strips but internal). I am so glad I did that.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

I used a CPAP religiously for over a year. Not once did I take it off even in the middle of the night. But it just did not work for me. So I had the UPPP, tongue moved forward and nasal implants (like breathe right strips but internal). I am so glad I did that.

I hate mine, I really do. I sleep worse than I ever have in my life. But I have CDL's and have to turn in a compliance report every year for my physical. If I fall below a certain percentage, I lose my medical card thus losing my job.

My original sleep study was done by the VA. It's been almost 3 years since they gave me the machine and they never reviewed it until 3 weeks ago.

At this point I just want to be able to breathe. I've became so use to the cpap machine that it doesn't bother me, it doesn't help me either. My fiancee says I still snore with the cpap machine, just not as loud as I use to.

We will see how things go at this pre-op appointment and I'll let you guys know what I decide to do.

 

[cvjw]

I had an osteoma removed from my sinuses and a septoplasty done on the same day. It wasn't that bad at all. My nose did hurt for a week or so, but it wasn't any big deal. I was nervous about hitting my nose before it was totally healed, but it was all fine. I can breathe so much better after the surgery.

My 18 year old son had turbinate reduction (both) and a septoplasty done on the same day. He was totally back to normal within a week.

It has been our family's experience that septoplasty surgery just isn't that big of a deal. Yes, it hurts because your nose is broken. Yes, it is hard to breathe with the tubes in your nose and all the swelling. But after a week or so and the tubes are out, we were back to normal

I will differ with others in saying that I would have been totally fine going on a Disney trip a month after surgery

 

[Clifton Tesh]

I had an osteoma removed from my sinuses and a septoplasty done on the same day. It wasn't that bad at all. My nose did hurt for a week or so, but it wasn't any big deal. I was nervous about hitting my nose before it was totally healed, but it was all fine. I can breathe so much better after the surgery.

My 18 year old son had turbinate reduction (both) and a septoplasty done on the same day. He was totally back to normal within a week.

It has been our family's experience that septoplasty surgery just isn't that big of a deal. Yes, it hurts because your nose is broken. Yes, it is hard to breathe with the tubes in your nose and all the swelling. But after a week or so and the tubes are out, we were back to normal

I will differ with others in saying that I would have been totally fine going on a Disney trip a month after surgery

My family is a lot like yours, we tend to have quick healing times. My dad and I both have had to have fingers reattached and the doctors were amazed at the speed of the recovery.

The verdict is in.
The doctor who did my pre-op just so happened to be a really good friend of mine. She told me that I needed to get the surgery done as soon as I could.

She made a good point about not being able to eat what you want is better that spending your honeymoon in the ER because you passed out again because you couldn't breathe efficiently.

I thank everyone for their replies and I at least have a better idea of what to expect more.

 

[North of Mouse]

The best to you through your surgery and recovery! And for your upcoming wedding and honeymoon at Disney!!