Surgery!

[Alluveal]

I get to have surgery on my sinuses. YAY! (not)

Deviated septum and I have an opacified sinus cavity that they need to hollow out. I've never been under and am frickin' scared to death. Not to mention the aftermath. Anyone had sinus surgery?

[Raelesyn]

My ex-wife did...it wasn;t that bad...just kinda gross with all the packing they leave up there but once its all said and done you'll be glad you did it. As far as going under..thats not too bad either...usually start off with a simple IV and by the time you count backwards from 100...you barely utter the words 99 and your out like a light. The IV takes care of most of the work this way they use less gas keeping you under..

Good Luck!!

Rael

[Freecare Spiritwise]

I had that same sinus problem but it went away on its own by age 13 or so.

Half a dozen or so various surgeries though. Getting put under aint no thing these days. I like to have all my ducks in a row: comfort food, TV shows, pain meds, pajamas, whatever - everything I want for recovery already done. It's not always easy/convenient/possible for your spouse to wait on you for everything. So, the better prepared you are, the better your recovery.

Oh, and double whatever recovery time they tell you. And as bad as you want to get back to your life, don't push it. Once I went back to work early after a hernia surgery, and a co-worker was joking around and jokingly jabbed me in the stomach, which got me right on the surgical tape and re-opened the wound. Another 4 weeks out.

Good luck on your surgery, LuLu. Hope you get well soon!

[Harlowe]

Good luck with the surgery Lulu!! I've been under twice and that part was no biggie, I just was a little sick to my stomach and weepy the first time, but they gave me some drugs for that the second time and I was fine.

[Kulaf]

I have heard that pulling out the packing material can be VERY painful. My uncle had significant sinus surgery and said he would never do it again.

[Kliban Nimbledigits]

I have heard that pulling out the packing material can be VERY painful. My uncle had significant sinus surgery and said he would never do it again.

The pain is one thing but you are going to get some REALLY bad smells/tastes in your mouth for a day. Be sure someone has some Altoids. Like a Costco size box of them.

[Alluveal]

Wow, thanks for all the details! Things I didn't even think of (like the bad smells/taste and after effects of being under).

The doctor said he didn't use packing. I don't know if that means he'll use something else. Yeah, I'll give myself a good week. My issue is that I react really bad to narcotic pain meds. I itch, ESPECIALLY my nose which cannot be good after you have surgery up there. So, idea what they can give me unless they dope me up on benadryl too. The itching does go away after a day or so, but that first day is gonna suck pie if I get all itchy and can't itch my nose.

[Arkaron]

Going under is really straightforward. This applies to everyone, not just Alu, but when your doctor asks you about alcohol consumption, BE HONEST so the anesthesiologist can make any adjustments.

I second the suggestion to have things prepped and for something to manage the taste in your mouth post-sinus surgery. Everyone I know who went through it was much better after.

[Mukik]

I had my septum straightened by Dr Menachof in denver. -hes awesome. That surgery isnt as bad as the adnoid/tonsils one. (you get to learn how to eat all over again. ) The surgery isnt too bad, and when you get to do your sinus rinse the first time its like when you blow your nose (not too hard) and its like you can breathe really well.!

Good luck, its a simple surgery and usually same day in and out.

[Taxious]

Good luck with everything! Let us know how it goes. What made you decide to get surgery for this? I have developed a deviated septum and it hasn't really caused many issues other than a constant runny nose.

[Alluveal]

Well they need to fix whatever putting pressure on the nerve (that's causing my migraines), and he said he'd fix the deviated septum while he's in there. It may fix the snoring. I snore. Like a big ole bear.

[Kliban Nimbledigits]

I wear a CPAP mask due to my sleep apnea. When as a kid I snored like a monster. Made for great living years later sleep in a tent with 19 other people who wore steel toed boots. ROLL OVER! *WHAP!*

While in the Navy they wanted to break my jaw, shove 5 yards of guass through the roof of my mouth and do the whole purge thing. Passed on that.