Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction Surgery: What to Expect Before and After

Having trouble breathing through your nose because of a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates? In this video, Dr. Chase from SnotDoc explains septoplasty and turbinate reduction surgery in clear, simple terms. You’ll learn how the nasal septum and turbinates affect airflow, why nasal congestion can switch sides, when medications may help, and when surgery may be recommended. We also review what to expect on the day of surgery, bleeding, splints, rinsing, pain control, recovery, healing time, and common risks. This video is intended for patient education and does not replace medical advice from your own physician. Always follow your surgeon’s specific instructions. Learn more ENT patient education at: https://snotdoc.com #Septoplasty #TurbinateReduction #deviatedseptum Chapters/Timestamps 0:00 Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction Overview 0:10 Goal of Surgery: Better Nasal Breathing 0:20 Nose Anatomy: Septum and Turbinates 0:40 Deviated Septum: How the Septum Divides the Nose 1:01 How a Bent Septum Narrows Airflow 1:09 What Turbinates Do: Warm, Humidify, Filter 1:34 Nasal Cycle: Why Congestion Switches Sides 1:55 Common Causes of Enlarged Turbinates 2:26 Medications Tried Before Surgery 2:52 When Surgery May Be Recommended 2:58 Septoplasty: Straightening the Septum 3:14 Turbinate Reduction: Smaller Turbinates, Preserved Function 3:34 How Turbinate Reduction Works 4:03 Anesthesia: You’ll Be Asleep for Surgery 4:09 Why You Need a Driver After Surgery 4:17 Bleeding After Septoplasty Is Expected 4:40 Nasal Splints After Septoplasty 5:07 First Week: Congestion, Pressure, Drainage 5:18 Pain Control After Septoplasty 5:38 Saline Rinses After Surgery 6:06 Splint Removal at One Week 6:44 Healing Timeline After Septoplasty 7:01 Common Risks of Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction 7:40 Septal Perforation: A Hole in the Septum 8:08 What Surgery Does Not Fix 8:31 Corrected Anatomy and Better Airflow 8:49 First Week Recovery Reminder 8:56 Goal: Breathe Better Through Your Nose