Ear, Nose & Throat Treatment Septoplasty: Recovery By Rachael Zimlich, BSN, RN Rachael is a freelance healthcare writer and critical care nurse based near Cleveland, Ohio. Learn about our editorial process Rachael Zimlich, BSN, RN Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by William Truswell, MD on September 01, 2020 facebook linkedin William Truswell, MD, is board-certified in otolaryngology and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. He is president of the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Learn about our Medical Review Board William Truswell, MD Updated on January 25, 2021 Print Table of Contents View All Surgery Follow-Up Recovery Timeline Coping with Recovery A Word From Verywell Septoplasty is a surgery to repair or remove portions of the bone and cartilage that make up the septum. The septum separates the two nostrils, and can usually be accessed and repaired from within the nasal cavity. As an outpatient procedure with minimal incisions, recovery from septoplasty is less complicated than other surgeries, but can still require a bit of time and patience. Verywell / Alex Dos Diaz Surgery Follow-Up In the immediate period after your surgery, be prepared for some pain and swelling. This should subside after a few weeks, but it may take months to experience the full benefit of your septoplasty. You should have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon, who will advise you on removing dressings, packing, or splints. This usually takes place a day or two after your surgery. While physical therapy or special exercises are not required for septoplasty, your surgeon will give you other instructions on how to care for yourself after your surgery. These instructions may include: Taking pain medicationTaking medications to reduce inflammation or swellingHow to take care of the surgical areaRisks or other side effects that require immediate actionInstructions on when and how to call your doctor with concerns Avoiding blowing your nose or straining by lifting objects over 20 pounds for at least 10 days after surgeryAvoiding steroid nasal sprays for at least two weeks after surgery as the nasal passages healAvoiding aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) due to an increased risk of bleedingUsing a saline nasal spray or sinus irrigation to increase comfort after your surgery Using an ice pack to help reduce pain and swellingSleeping with your head elevated to decrease swelling and congestionAvoiding showers for the first 24 hours after surgeryTrying to avoid people who are sick, and dusty or smoking places, to prevent irritation or illness Recovery Timeline Septoplasty might not require ongoing therapies and visits, but recovery can still be a process. Plan to minimize activities--especially those that involve lifting or straining for a week or two after surgery. You should plan to miss about two weeks of work or school. You may be asked to avoid strenuous activities, like playing sports, for up to a month after your surgery. While most people recover well after septoplasty, you may not feel the full benefit of your surgery for some time. Incisions will health fairly quickly, and pain and swelling should decrease in a short period of time. Full healing of the repaired or removed septum may take much longer. Cartilage and nasal tissue can take three to six months to heal fully, and changes can even occur a year later. In the time after surgery, patients should also see improvements in the problems that led them to a septoplasty, like breathing problems or snoring. These results can take time and vary from person to person. Alert your doctor if you notice a severe headache, fever, pain, chills, neck stiffness, nosebleeds, or have trouble breathing. Call your doctor or 911 for any medical emergency. Coping with Recovery Even though septoplasty is an outpatient procedure, recovery can still be challenging. Follow your doctor's advice for relieving pain and swelling immediately after surgery, and be sure to restrict activities as advised to avoid complications. You may not feel the full effect of the repairs or removal of a deviated septum for some time, and a second surgery is needed to further correct the problem in some cases. A Word From Verywell Septoplasty is generally a simple procedure. It's an outpatient surgery involving few, discreet cuts. Still, like most surgeries, there is a risk for complications and the chance that the problem you were looking to have corrected is not fixed. Make sure you discuss your goals and possible risks with your surgeon, as well as tips for optimal recovery. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What should I expect after a septoplasty?. 2020. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Post operative instructions: What to expect after endoscopic sinus surgery. 2020 Cleveland Clinic. What Can I Expect After Septoplasty? https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17779-septoplasty/recovery-and-outlook. 2018. Cleveland Clinic. What Should I Call My Doctor After Septoplasty?https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17779-septoplasty/when-to-call-the-doctor. 2018.