Anyone know anything about sinus surgery? I'm scared!

[snowwhitesmom]

Chronic sinusitis - CT scan tomorrow - any info from anyone?

 

[mariolatry]

I had it about 10 years ago. The CT scan is nothing. I actually found it kind of relaxing.

I had the surgery on Wednesday. I had nasal packing in on Wed/Thurs/Fri. The pain for those three days was moderate. I could have worked, although I certainly woulnd't have wanted to. I had a little trickle of bloody drainage for those three days and had to wear a little bandage taped under my nose. He took the packing out on Friday (that did hurt a little bit). On Saturday I had a bad rebound headache. By Sunday the pain was done and over.

Voila!

 

[JessicaR]

I had sinus surgery 20 years ago. I understand things have changed for the better. I know someone that recently had the surgery and didn't need packing. The packing or shall I say removal of the packing was the worst part. The best part is all these years later no issues and still breathing well.

I was in the hospital over night and the packing was removed the next morning. Ask to be medicated first.

 

[snowwhitesmom]

Thanks for the responses - I had a CT scan on my sinuses 10 years ago and was told I had a "slightly" deviated septum - on the opposite side that I have all the trouble on! Just kept getting antibiotics for the 5 or 6 infections each year - then was sent to the ENT - he wants the CT scan tom - then if it is clear - as it was 10 years ago - allergy testing - if not clear - strong antibiotics and a conversation about surgery. I am in my 40s, have had 2 kids, but have never [knock on wood] had stitches, general anesthesia or a broken bone - so - as you can see - this is all new to me.....any and all info - advice - stories - are appreciated!!!!

 

[stichy]

Had it about 6 or 7 years ago. Had a sinus infection for 2 straight years. The doctor had to do like 10 different procedures. When I asked what they were called and what type they are they told me it was better for me not to know. It didn't hurt too back. Only had bloody discharge for a day. I had the surgery on Thursday. Took off that day and Friday. I was supposed to go back to work on Monday right after I had thee packing removed. Hurt bad and I never ended up making it into work. The thing you really need to keep up on is the follow up care. Each time you go they will stick something that looks like a mr. thirsty from the dentist's office into your nasal cavities. It sucks up all the blood and gunk up in there. I needed to have that done every couple of weeks for 6 months. My sister never did her follow up because she hated to cleaning and she is still miserable with her sinuses. And the weirdest thing is your nose will randomly start running out of the blue for a couple of years.

 

[Explodo]

Went through it in 2005. The three days when your nose is packed is a horrid experience. But once they take it all out, you'll be amazed at how much better you can breathe. I've had exactly one sinus infection since the surgery. Well worth the 3 days of misery. And they made me use the nasal rinse thing for a month. I actualy got to love this activity. Very relaxing once I figured out how to do it. Plus, the things that came out of my snout amazed friends and neighbors!

Oh, and I had very little sense of smell for a few weeks. But it's all good now.

IMO, if they tell you to do the surgery, do it.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

our ds20 had it last year. His surgery was well over an hour. He had the deviated septum,nasal polyp removed and something about his concha? being mis shapen so the surgeon fixed that too. Ds was miserable, miserable for 3 days, just lived on pain killers and ice water. Couldnt swallow, couldnt eat, threw up Lots of blood, slept on the couch as you have to keep your head elevated, constant sinus rinses.

He does has asthma and really bad allergies but after all the surgery he says he can finally breathe out of one of the nostrils, something he couldnt do much of before.

Wishing you all the best. He did have the ct scan too and it showed his sinuses were fine, but the concha thing was mis shapen. I think it has something to do with the sinus drainage?

 

[qtwns]

I had sinus and deviated septum surgery about 7 years ago and it was the best thing I've ever done (besides my uterine ablation, but I digress...)

I don't remember any real pain, just some discomfort. When they removed the packing the discomfort was nothing compared to the creep out factor of having that stuff removed.

Good luck!

 

[rszdtrvl]

My doctor has mentioned to me that I may need to see an ENT doctor because of my sinus infections.

I do have a devated septum, but am doing the sinus rinse thing to keep the infections at bay.

My next infection though, I am going to ask about seeing a specialist. I am ready, if necessary, to get my nose fixed. It is crooked due to being broken as a child, and I have a big bump on it. I am guessing this is when my nose started getting the "issues".

 

[wdwmom2]

My DD had sinus surgery twice, 1 month apart, about 8 years ago. Diviated septum, small sinuses, recurrent sinus infections. First surgery to correct the problem, 2nd surgery to remove the scar tissue from the 1st surgery.

She did wonderful with both surgeries. The first one she did vomit post-op due to the blood draining down her throat. No packing, so nothing to remove. Has had almost zero sinus problems since having that surgery done!!!

 

[arminnie]

I had major sinus surgery done in 1999 by a fabulous doctor at Stanford University. People had told me how painful, awful, dangerous, etc. it was going to be. It was nothing.

I was an "out patient" but because I had the surgery at 4 pm I did spend the night but not in a regular room. I had no pain at all. I did have to go back for the "cleanings" but it was no big deal. When I told my doctor how surprised I was that I had no pain he told me I shouldn't have any pain if it's done right.

I'd had sinus infections non-stop for about 6 months before I had the surgery. My sinuses were scraped and something called "windows" were enlarged. I swear I've barely had a cold since that surgery.

 

[smartkim]

DH had sinus surgery about 12 years ago. Yes, the packing and removal was the worst part although I had brain surgery 4 years ago and my nose was packed with little tubes in the middle to breathe out of so I do believe the packing part has gotten better over the years. DH didn't see an immediate improvement but a gradual one over years of time. He used to wake up in the middle of the night EVERY night with sinus issues and inability to breathe. Not any more. He still has SOME sinus/allergy issues but NOTHING like he did before the surgery. The surgery was well worth the amount of discomfort IMO and his too! The only issue he had was some blood clotting in his nose after the packing was removed. We went to the ER and they took the clot out. No more issues after that!

 

[snowwhitesmom]

Thank you so much everyone - I truly appreciate all the info ...... and still welcome any more out there! I am still hoping I will only need allergy shots, though!