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By Mayo Clinic staffBefore scheduling septoplasty, you must meet with your surgeon to discuss benefits and risks of the surgery. This meeting generally includes:
- Your medical history. Your doctor asks questions about conditions you have or have had, as well as any current medications.
- A physical examination. Your doctor conducts a physical examination, including any relevant testing. He or she also inspects your skin and the inside and outside of your nose.
- Photographs. Someone from your doctor's office may take photographs of your nose from different angles. Your doctor may use these photos for discussion before septoplasty, or for reference during and after surgery.
- A discussion of your expectations. You and your doctor should talk about your expectations. He or she explains what septoplasty can and can't do for you and what your results might be.
Before septoplasty, you may also need to:
- Avoid certain medications. Avoid medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) for two weeks before surgery and two weeks after surgery. These medications may increase bleeding. Take only those medications approved or prescribed by your surgeon.
- If you smoke, stop smoking. Smoking slows the healing process after surgery.
- Make arrangements for the day of the surgery. For the first 24 hours after sedation, you may have lapses of memory, slowed reaction time and impaired judgment. Therefore, arrange for someone to drive you home if you're having an outpatient procedure. Also, arrange for a family member or friend to stay with you for a night or two to help with personal care tasks as you recover from surgery.
References
- Kridel RWH, et al. The nasal septum. In: Flint PW, et al. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05283-2..X0001-8--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05283-2&uniqId=230100505-57. Accessed April 28, 2011.
- Fact sheet: Deviated septum. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/deviatedSeptum.cfm. Accessed April 27, 2011.
- Ketcham AM, et al. Complications and management of septoplasty.
- Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2010;43:897.
- Preparing for nose surgery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/nose-surgery-.html?sub=Preparing%20for%20nose%20surgery. Accessed April 30, 2011.
- Rhinoplasty surgery steps. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/nose-surgery-.html?sub=Rhinoplasty%20surgery%20steps. Accessed April 30, 2011.
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