Turbinoplasty and turbinectomy are nose surgeries. They can make it easier for you to breathe. You may have one of these surgeries if the turbinates in your nose are too large and block the airways in your nose. The turbinates help warm and moisten the air you breathe.
In a turbinoplasty, the turbinates are reshaped. In a turbinectomy, some or all of them are cut out.
Both surgeries are done through the nose.
Most people go home a few hours after surgery. You will be able to go back to work or school in about 1 week. You'll probably get back to your normal routine in about 3 weeks. But this varies with your job and the extent of your surgery. It will take about 1 to 2 months before you are back to normal.
Other types of nose surgery are sometimes done at the same time. If this is the case, your instructions and what to expect may be different.
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
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Turbinoplasty and turbinectomy are nose surgeries. They can make it easier for you to breathe. You may have one of these surgeries if the turbinates in your nose are too large and block the airways in your nose.
You may have a drip pad under your nose to collect mucus and blood. Change it only when it bleeds through. You may have to do this every hour for 24 hours after surgery.
You may have some swelling of your nose, upper lip, or cheeks, or around your eyes. You may have some bruises around your nose and eyes. Your nose may be sore and will bleed. You may feel "stuffed up" as though you have a bad head cold. This will last for several days after surgery.
The tip of your nose and your upper lip and gums may be numb. Feeling will return in a few weeks to a few months. Your sense of smell may not be as good after surgery. It will likely return to normal in 1 to 2 months.
Most people can go back to work or school in about 1 week and to their normal routine in about 3 weeks. But this varies with your job and the extent of your surgery. You will probably feel fully recovered in 1 to 2 months.
You may need to visit your doctor regularly for 3 to 4 months after your surgery. Your doctor will check to see that your nose is healing well.
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