Septoplasty – Nose Septum Surgery in Sydney by Dr Turner
A Septoplasty procedure may help you resolve nose problems like restricted breathing, sinus infections, nosebleeds, headaches and issues with snoring. Dr Scott Turner performs Septoplasty and Septorhinoplasty procedures in hospitals in Newcastle and Sydney NSW. By reshaping your septum, he can help restore the functionality of your nose, ease your breathing and reduce headaches. The procedure can help restore your quality of life by reducing the discomfort that you may be experiencing.
What Is Septoplasty?
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes your septum and removes septum or nasal deviation. The septum is the natural barrier or divide between the two nasal canals. This surgical procedure reshapes the septum to remove the deviation and frees your airways for a fuller and more satisfying inhale. Patients who undergo a septoplasty procedure generally report:
- being able to inhale with less effort
- having a fuller inhale
- a significant reduction in nasal infections
- a significant decrease in sinus infections
- fewer headaches.
Benefits Of Nose Septum Surgery – Septoplasty
There are multiple benefits of nose septum surgery:
- Septoplasty can significantly improve the quality of life
- Doing sports is much easier after a septoplasty
- Septum surgery can significantly reduce the number and intensity of headaches
- Septoplasty surgery can reduce infections and help clear the sinuses
- Septoplasty with turbinectomy can reduce seasonal issues with breathing, such as cold air sensitivity and cold air-triggered airway blockage
- Septorhinoplasty can improve both the functionality and aesthetics of the nose simultaneously
About the Septoplasty Surgery
During your septoplasty procedure, your surgeon will perform several steps:
- An Anaesthetist will administer the anaesthetic
- An incision will be made on the inside of your nostril, towards the septum – this incision will leave no visible scars
- Excess bone and cartilage tissue will be carefully excised to remove the blockage of the airway
- Dr Turner may also restore a part of flat cartilage for additional support to the structure of the nose (not always necessary)
- Self-dissolving sutures will be carefully placed to keep the newly shaped septum in place. Placing the sutures removes the need for packing your nose, which can be both painful and uncomfortable.
- You may be released home on the same day or stay overnight depending on your condition.
Recovery After Septum Surgery
The septoplasty swelling usually reduces over 3 days to a week. It may take up to two or even three months for the cartilage to fully heal, and during this time, you should avoid any trauma to your nose. Most patients go back to school or work just days after the procedure.
Minimising Scars After Septoplasty
Dr Scott Turner, will place your septoplasty surgery incisions on the inside of your nostrils so that no septoplasty scars are noticeable. A healthy body and a calm mind can significantly ease and speed up recovery after any cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery. Septoplasty leaves no visible external scars, so no scar-minimising treatment is usually necessary.
Long-Term Septoplasty Results
As a surgical procedure, septoplasty can significantly decrease problems with breathing and blocked airways. However, to truly maximise the results of septoplasty, especially if you have it at a younger age, you should avoid blowing your nose for a few months after a septoplasty and any trauma to the nose or the face, as they may cause immediate injury to the nose and compromise long-term septoplasty result.
Am I A Good Candidate For Nose Septum Surgery?
If you experience:
- Trouble breathing
- Congested nose
- Occasional bleeding from the nostrils
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Congested sinuses
You may be eligible for a septoplasty procedure. To ensure you are the best candidate for nasal septum surgery, you should also: not smoke, not enjoy excessive amounts of alcohol and be ready to take several days off work. Consult Dr Turner Newcastle and Sydney NSW for a consultation so he can professionally assess your case and offer a customised solution for your blocked airways.
Septoplasty Sydney Costs & Prices – How Much Is Septoplasty In Sydney ?
A good septoplasty in Newcastle and Sydney NSW will cost $10,000 or more depending on the amount of work to be done and whether any other surgeries are combined with the septoplasty procedure you have.
Find out more information on Dr Turner’s pricing page
For an estimate of your septplasty surgery price please phone Dr Turner’s clinic on 1300 64 11 99 or contact us.
Nose surgery is complex. Beware of any cheap nose surgery offer, special deals or discounts. These cheap nose surgeries are done by doctors who are not very experienced or done in unaccredited backroom clinics. These surgeries can risk your safety, your results and even your life.
Funding Nose Septum Surgery – Will Medicare Pay for Nose Surgery?
Nose septum surgery can be considered a medically necessary surgical procedure. If this is the case with you, you may want to speak with Dr Turner about any Medicare or insurance rebate you may receive for your septoplasty. The same partial coverage for your septum surgery can also be applied in the case of combined surgeries, such as septorhinoplasty: only the septoplasty part of the entire procedure can receive partial coverage.
It is possible that your Super Fund may pay for your nose surgery or that you may be able to have a Nose Surgery payment plan through a medical finance company.
FAQs about Nose Septum Surgery
[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”Will fixing a deviated septum stop snoring?” answer-0=”Fixing a deviated septum can help improve your breathing but may not do much with snoring. Snoring is caused by the relaxed muscles of the speech apparatus: the throat and the tongue. As such, snoring is not usually corrected by a septoplasty.” image-0=”” headline-1=”h3″ question-1=”Will septoplasty help me breathe better?” answer-1=”Yes, a septoplasty will significantly improve your breathing. A septum surgery can remove some of the septum bone and/or cartilage that may be causing breathing problems. Once the blockage is removed, breathing is improved. This effect usually is permanent. A decade after a nasal deviation procedure, around 68% of deviation surgery patients say that their breathing is easier and more comfortable.” image-1=”” headline-2=”h3″ question-2=”Will septoplasty make my nose look different?” answer-2=”No, a septoplasty will not usually make your nose look different. A septoplasty procedure is a surgical procedure that reshapes the inside of your nose, the so-called septum. Any reshaping of the septum is not usually seen on the outside of the nose. If you would like to reshape the outer profile of your nose as well, procedures such as rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty are the best solution for you.” image-2=”” headline-3=”h3″ question-3=”Who should perform a septoplasty?” answer-3=”A qualified and FRACS accredited nose expert should always perform a septoplasty. The surgeons best performing septoplasty are either:
- specialised plastic surgeon, or
- ENT surgeons – Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeons.
” image-3=”” headline-4=”h3″ question-4=”Do deviated septums get worse over time?” answer-4=”Yes, deviated septums can get worse over time. A deviated septum can first appear early in childhood and not be noticed until later in life. A small injury to the face, such as a fall or a ball hitting someone in the face, can cause minor fractures in the septum, which gradually worsen as you age and your nasal structure changes.” image-4=”” headline-5=”h3″ question-5=”Do you feel better after septoplasty?” answer-5=”Yes, you can feel better after a septoplasty. This procedure can be done by both an ENT specialist or a plastic surgeon. Some patients claim that recovery after a plastic surgeon has done their septoplasty is shorter and more comfortable.” image-5=”” headline-6=”h3″ question-6=”Is a septoplasty a nose job?” answer-6=”A septoplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes the septum of your nose to remove any airway blockage and increase the volume of air that can pass through your nose. A nose job is a name mostly used for rhinoplasty – a plastic surgery that reshapes the outside of your nose for a better contour rather than functionality.” image-6=”” headline-7=”h3″ question-7=”Does septoplasty change your voice?” answer-7=”Although some patients report that their voice sounds less ‘nasal’ after a septoplasty, it is important to note that no such connection has been made between a septoplasty and voice quality. Some changes may be observed during the recovery period after your septum surgery, although they usually fade away as the swelling goes down.” image-7=”” headline-8=”h3″ question-8=”Does septoplasty improve quality of life?” answer-8=”Yes, a septoplasty procedure can significantly improve the quality of your life. Reduced nasal infections, headaches, sinus issues and easier breathing and practising sports are only some ways in which the surgery can improve the quality of your life.” image-8=”” headline-9=”h3″ question-9=”Does septoplasty make your nose bigger?” answer-9=”No, septoplasty does not make your nose bigger. In some patients, their nose after septoplasty can look a little wider. This widening of the nose is because of nose splints that sometimes get placed in the nose to hold the septum in place during the recovery period. After the splints are removed, and the swelling is gone, your nose adopts normal proportions again.” image-9=”” headline-10=”h3″ question-10=”Does septoplasty remove a bump on the nose?” answer-10=”No, septoplasty does not remove the bump on the nose. The nose bump or the dorsal hump can be removed by a rhinoplasty, a surgical procedure that reshapes the outer profile of the nose. – you may try a septorhinoplasty” image-10=”” headline-11=”h3″ question-11=”How do you prepare for septoplasty?” answer-11=”To best prepare for your septoplasty, make sure that:
- You are healthy and have a well-balanced diet,
- You review taking certain supplements several weeks before the surgery,
- You avoid stress and get plenty of sleep,
- You quit smoking at least six weeks before the surgery and six weeks after,
- Adjust your medications as instructed by your surgeon,
- Stop taking some medication if your specialised plastic surgeon insists you should do so.
” image-11=”” headline-12=”h3″ question-12=”What should I wear to septoplasty?” answer-12=”You should wear loose and comfortable clothes for your septoplasty. Your surgeon may ask you to change both before and after your procedure.” image-12=”” headline-13=”h3″ question-13=”How is septoplasty performed?” answer-13=”Your nose surgeon will make an incision, remove the excess septum bone and cartilage and suture the incision.” image-13=”” headline-14=”h3″ question-14=”How painful is a septoplasty?” answer-14=”Septoplasty is not a painful procedure. During your septum surgery, your surgeon will use anaesthetic to prevent you from feeling any pain. After the procedure, your surgeon will prescribe pain killers which will reduce any post-septoplasty pain. Even weeks after a septum surgery, injuries to the nose can cause significant discomfort, so taking good care of your nose during recovery.” image-14=”” headline-15=”h3″ question-15=”What happens if I sneeze after septoplasty?” answer-15=”If you sneeze after a septoplasty, you may experience some pain and discomfort, and some minor bleeding may appear. The symptoms usually clear on their own. You should try to avoid sneezing for the first week or two after a septoplasty, although you should not try to hold back the sneezes.” image-15=”” headline-16=”h3″ question-16=”What is the success rate of septoplasty?” answer-16=”Septoplasty has an 85% ‘success rate’ according to medical research. In some patients, septoplasty may not relieve their symptoms. In these cases, another surgical procedure, such as revision septoplasty, turbinoplasty or turbinectomy, may be advised.” image-16=”” headline-17=”h3″ question-17=”Why are splints used in septum surgery?” answer-17=”Nasal splints or nose splints are generally used in septoplasty to provide additional support to the healing septum. In septoplasty, your nose surgeon will remove a part of the septum that causes the airway blockage to relieve the symptoms. The septum needs some time to heal, and during this healing process, splints provide additional support and improve the septoplasty results.” image-17=”” headline-18=”h3″ question-18=”What is the fastest way to recover from septoplasty?” answer-18=”
- Taking good care of your nose,
- Avoiding any trauma to the nose,
- Avoiding activities that can elevate your blood pressure or your heart rate,
- Have a healthy diet,
- Perform only gentle exercises
- Avoiding smoking,
- Avoiding alcohol
Are just some of the steps to a faster recovery after septoplasty.” image-18=”” headline-19=”h3″ question-19=”Can I use a straw after septoplasty?” answer-19=”Yes, you may use a straw after a septoplasty. It would be best if you did not chew gum or sleep on a flat bed. Propping your head with a pillow or two will control the swelling.” image-19=”” headline-20=”h3″ question-20=”Can I wash my hair after septoplasty?” answer-20=”Yes, you can wash your hair after a septoplasty. Avoid leaning over the bathtub for a long time and rather have a full shower the day after the procedure. Be careful that the water is not too hot and that you do not inhale any of it by accident. Using shampoos with a strong fragrance should be avoided since they may cause you to sneeze.” image-20=”” headline-21=”h3″ question-21=”Can you take painkillers after septoplasty?” answer-21=”Yes, you can take painkillers after a septoplasty. Consult your surgeon with any concerns about pain after septoplasty and ask which pain relievers you can take. Take them as prescribed for the first few days after the septum procedure or as otherwise indicated by your surgeon.” image-21=”” headline-22=”h3″ question-22=”Do you have stitches after septoplasty?” answer-22=”Yes, you have stitches after a septoplasty. The stitches will not be visible, as they will be placed on the inner part of your nostrils. Most surgeons decide to use long-term dissolvable sutures so that no suture removal is needed.” image-22=”” headline-23=”h3″ question-23=”Can you shower after a septoplasty?” answer-23=”Yes, 24 hours after your septoplasty, you can usually have a shower. Avoid getting any water in your nasal area. Always follow the instructions given to you by your surgeon during the septoplasty aftercare.” image-23=”” headline-24=”h3″ question-24=”How long is my nose blocked after septoplasty?” answer-24=”Your nose may be blocked for several days following your septoplasty. The swelling resolves on its own and a blockage depends on the septum area that had to be operated on. In general, the smaller the surgery area, the shorter time your nose is blocked.” image-24=”” headline-25=”h3″ question-25=”How long is recovery from septoplasty?” answer-25=”Full recovery after a septoplasty can take two to three months. During this time, your body works hard to heal your septum and the incision site. Rest well and avoid any irritation to the nose.” image-25=”” headline-26=”h3″ question-26=”How long until I can breathe after septoplasty?” answer-26=”After the packing is removed, you can breathe immediately. Some surgeons refrain from using nose packing after a septoplasty and rely on nasal splints to support the healing septum. Although you can breathe after the nose packing is removed, it is advised not to do any strenuous activities as they may lengthen your recovery time.” image-26=”” headline-27=”h3″ question-27=”How long will my teeth hurt after septoplasty?” answer-27=”Due to the swelling and the healing process, your palate and the upper teeth may feel sore and hurt after a septum surgery. This sensation should not last longer than two weeks, and it clears on its own.” image-27=”” headline-28=”h3″ question-28=”When does taste return after septoplasty?” answer-28=”After a septoplasty, you may lose some of the sensations in your mouth for a short time. The taste returns within one to two months and will gradually improve over several months post-septum surgery.” image-28=”” headline-29=”h3″ question-29=”How do you sleep after septoplasty?” answer-29=”After a septoplasty, you should sleep in a reclined position with the head elevated on one to two pillows. If you develop any discomfort, you can also elevate your entire torso. This will help with any swelling and should speed up the recovery period.” image-29=”” headline-30=”h3″ question-30=”How much does a nose job cost with septoplasty?” answer-30=”A nose job with septoplasty or septorhinoplasty cost in Australia can be AU$10.000 and more. Always choose the best nose surgeon to do your nose surgery since a non-certified doctor may do more damage than good.” image-30=”” count=”31″ html=”true” css_class=””]
Surgeries that can be combined with Septoplasty
To best utilise your time in the surgical theatre and recovery period, you can combine your septoplasty procedure with other surgical procedures, such as Turbinoplasty, Turbinectomy, Rhinoplasty and other short procedures, such as a nipple fix, skin cancer removal, brow lift, dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections.
Always consult your plastic surgeon about any surgeries you would like to combine with your Septoplasty: this can save you significant amounts of money and time and is most commonly used by people too busy to have two recovery periods for two surgical procedures.
Planning Your Nose Surgery Patient Journey
Scheduling your initial consultation with Dr Scott Turner is the first step to a successful septoplasty patient journey. Here, you will discuss your concerns and you will come to a custom solution together. After the initial consultation, you should take steps to prepare for your septoplasty procedure. After the procedure, attend all your follow-up visits and make sure to follow the septoplasty aftercare steps.
How to Find The Best Septoplasty Surgeon in Sydney
What to look for
- Your septoplasty surgeon should always be a FRACS Surgeon – ENT or Specialist Plastic Surgeon and nose expert, not a so-called cosmetic surgeon or undertrained doctor
- You should research your surgeon, and their education, and experience as well as their previous septoplasty results – have a look at online reviews and before & after photos in the clinic.
- Your surgeon should be allowed to operate in an accredited hospital surgical theatre and not just a “backroom clinic”
- Your surgeon should be open and realistic about all possible risks, complications and common complaints and concerns their patients have had.
Once you have shortlisted your surgeon, schedule an initial consultation with them and meet them in person. Do you trust them? Are they experienced with noses?
Are they realistic about what can be achieved with a septoplasty? If not, keep looking.
Why Choose Dr Scott Turner?
Dr Scott Turner FRACS (Plas) is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Newcastle & Sydney NSW Australia. Dr Turner focuses on natural-looking nose results and does not compromise the quality of the procedure or your safety.
Nose Surgery Glossary
- Septum – the natural divide between the nostrils. This part of the nose is up to 7 cm long. It goes from the tip of your nose to the area between the eyes
- Palate – The roof of the mouth. It can be the hard palate (right behind the teeth) or the soft palate (further deep in the mouth)
- Septoplasty – the surgical procedure that reshapes your septum to remove the blockage of the airways
- Turbinoplasty – a plastic surgery procedure that reshapes or removes a part of the turbinates – small tissues in the nasal cavity that moisten and warm the air as you breathe
- Turbinectomy – a plastic surgery procedure that completely removes one or more turbinates from your nose
- Rhinoplasty – a plastic surgery that reshapes the outer profile of your nose. It does not usually address the functional aspect of your nose
- Septorhinoplasty – A combination of rhinoplasty and septoplasty, this procedure deals with both the aesthetic and the functional aspects of your nose
Risk & Complications Of Nose Surgery
Septum surgery is major surgery, and like any other major surgery, it has some common risks and complications. Common complications include, but are not limited to:
- Bruising, Swelling, Bleeding, Infection, Asymmetrical nose, Continued nasal obstructions/blockage, Excessive bleeding, Reaction to the anaesthetic.
Choosing the best possible septoplasty surgeon will minimise the risks and complications associated with your septoplasty surgery and result in a better-functioning nose. Always choose the best surgeon to operate on you. Damage done by inexperienced doctors is sometimes irreversible, and it may lead to a ‘saddle nose’ or a partial or full nose collapse. Visit the page on risks & potential complications of surgery.
Further Reading about Septum Surgery
- Septoplasty | MayoClinic
- Septoplasty: What to expect, risks, and reasons for surgery
- Journal Article – Complications in septoplasty based on a large group of 5639 patients
Next Steps
Always Do Your Research
- Enquire to find out more about your surgery
- Please read our website to learn more about your intended procedure
Do you need a Medical Referral to see Dr Turner?
- A GP Referral is required to Consult with Dr Turner (under new AHPRA Regulations)
- Please obtain a referral from your GP or Specialist if you want a consultation for an MBS item number surgery.
- Please note that your Medicare Rebates will NOT be claimable without a valid recent Medical Referral
Making The Most Of Your Consultation
- Please arrive slightly early for your in-person consultation
- You are welcome to bring a friend or relative to help consider the information and discuss your options
- Please be aware you may need to undress for a physical exam so wear simple clothes
- Ensure you also take a lot of notes during the consultation and thoroughly examine all the documents provided
Want more information before scheduling your consultation?
- Find out more about pricing and payment plans
- Request more information about the procedure – call or contact us
How to Book Your Consultation
- You can book your initial consultation by paying the $350 cosmetic consultation fee in advance – when you make your appointment
BOOK A PHONE CALL FOR MORE INFO
- To find out more information about surgery you can book a FREE 15-minute phone conversation with our Friendly Patient Care team via Calendly- Book Consultant 1 or Book Consultant 2
Contact us or call on 1300 437 758 to arrange your surgeon consultation in Sydney.
Email us for more information: enquiries@drturner.com.au