Turbinate reduction surgery is one option for those who experience trouble breathing or issues with snoring. Of course, whether one is a good candidate or not depends on the cause of the breathing issues. If the turbinates are found to be enlarged, surgery can reduce them for clearer nasal passageways, which means better breathing. Dr. Fisher has helped hundreds of patients resolve their breathing issues, and today we’re answering some of your frequently asked questions about turbinate reduction surgery.
What Is Turbinate Reduction?
The turbinates are a component inside the nose that humidify and warm the air you breathe in; they also help filter out particles. Sometimes, they can be enlarged due to factors such as allergies or chronic infections. Turbinate reduction is a minimally invasive surgery that involves shaving down the turbinates for better air flow through the nose.
Is Turbinate Reduction Surgery Painful?
Turbinate reduction surgery itself is not painful because we use general anesthesia. Afterwards, you may have some pain as your body heals after surgery. You will be prescribed pain medication as needed. With cauterization or ablation procedures, only local anesthesia is necessary, and pain, if experienced, is much more mild.
Does Turbinate Reduction Change the Shape of the Nose?
While turbinate reduction surgery does decrease the size of the turbinates and possibly the underlying bones, they do not make a difference in the shape of the nose, so turbinate reduction surgery does not change the shape of the nose. They also do not affect the size of the nose even when enlarged, so turbinate reduction surgery does not make the nose smaller. You will feel a difference in your nose, however, because breathing will come a lot more easily, but it all has to do with the internal parts of the nose.
How Long Does It Take To Recover from Turbinate Reduction Surgery?
Recovery from turbinate reduction surgery can vary depending on how intensive the surgery was. Recovery takes anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Swelling and some pain may be present. With less severe cases, symptoms are usually mild and merely include a dry nose.
Looking for turbinate reduction surgery in the Bakersfield area? Here at Bakersfield Sinus, Dr. Edmund Fisher can determine if turbinate reduction is right for you.
