Anybody here had endoscopic sinus surgery?

OK I don't know what you are having done but after all the descriptions I will be thankful everyday forward that I don't know what you are going thru.

May it go well, a fast recovery and afterwards be worth it!!!

Bi-lateral windows is what they did for me. I think that was the version before windows 95. I had some other thing done but can't remember, must have punctured my memory bank. The first evening I sneezed and it was blood everywhere, that got me a bit concerned.

It was worth getting it done. I have a lot of drainage down the back of my throat sometimes and my nose still plugs up (Allergies). But the breathing is ten fold better.

Great description, Bob! I know somebody who had a similar experience to yours years ago, due to one of those testosterone encounters that seem to find young guys. I like to think the docs are a little more subtle these days. At least, I hope so!

CA POPPY wrote:

BobsYourUncle wrote:
What does the surgery involve? I have heard of it but don't know what the process is.

I have had sinus surgery twice in my younger years. I had a deviated septum they tried twice to correct surgically.

Something like this...

My younger years are long gone, but I think my mother installed my sinuses upside down. They have given me grief forever...

Sounds something similar to what I had done a long time ago. I couldn't breath properly though, as opposed to the sinus draining issue. Actually I have that too to a certain degree. My nose runs like a faucet all the time. can't get through a meal or anything without stopping to blow my nose several times.

What they did on mine was they laid me on a stone cold table and took a large hammer and a chisel and proceeded to chop me out a new airway. Wham wham chisel chisel bang bang. Sadistic SOB's....

After they finished creating another president for Mt Rushmore out of the inside of my nose they took a big pile driver like one of those things they use to plant fence posts without digging a hole and they packed about a cubic yard of cotton batten in each nostril until I thought it was going to come out my butt.

Yeah it was a hoot and all done with a local anesthetic so I could be awake to enjoy them practicing the hammer and chisel thing.

It worked for a short while the first time and the nose bone (septum) grew back to where it used to was.

So me in my infinite wisdom had them do it again. Apparently I am a bit of a masochist, and I didn't suffer enough the first time. Aw c'mon doc, I want the chisel in my beak again - please, please!!! Hit me some more.... So he did and I relived the wonderful feeling again of thinking his chisel was coming out my left ear.

Yeah it wasn't overly comfortable thats for sure. Kinda matches the cystoscopy I had some time ago from falling on a bicycle bar as a child but at least I was asleep for that one. If you don't know what that is Google is your friend.... I ain't describing it here!!

Sufficient to say the nose job was a very unpleasant experience.

Next time I'll sign up for a spinal tap and a few root canals instead.

Not trying to scare you off but having them hack away inside my berry picker is something I'd rather not do.

WyoTraveler wrote:
Are we talking septo plasti?

Had it done in 95. Worked for me. They put you to sleep. That is a piece of cake. For three days after surgery they have sinus packed. No pain just uncomfortable. Nose drains mucus. Just walk around with large hankerchief to wipe slobber. They pull out packing in office and you are good to go.

I don 't have the septo problem, but the left large sinus cavity is totally blocked and so is the one behind my eyes. That makes sense because I often have pain there. What I thought were sinus infections are apparently just the result of a lifetime of allergies. This surgeon says she seldom uses packing anymore. That sounds good to me. I get pretty claustrophobic when I can't breathe. She does use general anesthesia, which surprised me. I was thinking more office procedure but nope. The Breathe-Rite strips do get me through the night. It's illogical, but they work.

Are we talking septo plasti?

Had it done in 95. Worked for me. They put you to sleep. That is a piece of cake. For three days after surgery they have sinus packed. No pain just uncomfortable. Nose drains mucus. Just walk around with large hankerchief to wipe slobber. They pull out packing in office and you are good to go.

I hear ya brother, I have suffered with it for as long as I can remember. I am going to talk to my doctor, I have had it.:(

I had turbinate reduction surgery 4 or so years ago. The doctor described it as involving radiofrequency waves to burn/shrink the turbinates. It worked out very well for me. I used to get colds all the time in the winter, and could not get rid of them. They would turn into sinus infections almost every time. Since the surgery I don't think I've had even one cold.

My breathing is easier at night. I do find that Breathe-Rite strips provide additional easing, though.

BobsYourUncle wrote:
What does the surgery involve? I have heard of it but don't know what the process is.

I have had sinus surgery twice in my younger years. I had a deviated septum they tried twice to correct surgically.

Something like this...

My younger years are long gone, but I think my mother installed my sinuses upside down. They have given me grief forever...

What does the surgery involve? I have heard of it but don't know what the process is.

I have had sinus surgery twice in my younger years. I had a deviated septum they tried twice to correct surgically.