Breathing Great!

Do you ever have a problem and not realize you do?. . . .

Don't answer that.

I know I have MANY problems but did you know that you are actually supposed to be able to breathe out of both nostrils? I didn't. Yep, I only used part of one nostril all of my life and thought that it was normal. I have had chronic allergies since birth and just contributed that to chronic mouth breathing.

Working for an ENT has its advantages. I see a lot of screwed up noses on a daily basis and work for an awesome Doc that sees to my every need. After a year worth of allergy injections and multiple nasal sprays, I still blamed my symptoms on bad allergies. It never really bothered me because I saw it as normal. Apparently, it isn't normal.

A CT scan proved me wrong. Ironically enough, spotting all the issues was a surprise on the scan. (I was having bad eye pressure so we decided to rule out sinusitis. Nope, it turns out I just needed to wear my glasses). My scan was noted to have a deviated septum (the wall dividing the right & left nostril), enlarged turbinates (a bone shell that pushes air through the nose), and large bilateral concha bullosas (air filled turbinates more posterior). Another doctor came walking in not knowing that the scan was mine and replied "those are the largest concha bullosas I've ever seen). Yeah, my pride was hurt when I found out that I had a defective nose.

I see hundreds of patients that have these surgeries and do just fine. I didn't want to admit that there was anything wrong with my nose. I figured that my nose had worked just fine for 27 years and should be fine for another 27 years. After much persuasion from coworkers and family, I finally bit the bullet and decided if I was ever going to have surgery, this was the time.

Getting ready to head back

And now the fun part. . . the process.

WARNING: 

The content of this video is graphic. 

(If you don't like blood, do not watch)

(And this isn't my nose, just what happens during a septoplasty)

I think it's fun!

http://sinusvideos.com/videos/32/endoscopic-septoplasty-for-posterior-deviation

And this was the ending product.

And don't worry, I gave you the picture without a blood soaked bandage. :)

I learned that I hate narcotics. (Seriously, how are people on them all the time? I took two pills then switched to ibuprofen. I like being able to turn my head without feeling dizzy).

I became proficient at not blowing my nose for the week. And even better at sinus washes.

I had the surgery on Friday and was back to work on Monday. My nose was a little painful and very dry and irritated for a bit. 

It's been almost 2 months since the surgery (yes, I'm always a little behind). 

The breaking news is that I am breathing great! I once only had 1/2 a nostril at a time. I now have 2 full breathing nostrils all the time. I had no idea how wonderful it was to breathe and not feel congested ALL THE TIME! 

The moral of the story is, that you're not always born with a perfect body and it's okay to try and improve it once and a while.

Oh, and I absolutely LOVE breathing through my nose!

Thank you Dr. Parsons!