Turbinate Reduction Surgery - Diagnosis & Recovery

Benefits of Turbinate Reduction

Some common benefits of turbinate reduction include:

• Better sleep cycle: Once the turbinate reduction clears the nasal passageway, allowing to have better airflow and more comfortable sleep at night.
• Less frequent headaches: If the turbinates are swollen, it can result in tension or pressure in the head, leading to frequent headaches. After the procedure, turbinates are no longer swollen and won’t cause tension headaches.   
• Clear sinuses: Inflamed turbinates cause congestion in the sinuses. After turbinate reduction you’ll experience less nasal congestion, making it easier to breathe.  
• Reduces chances of sinusitis: Frequent sinus infections causes facial pain, nasal congestion, fever and headaches. Turbinate reduction help to reduce the chances of getting frequent infections. 

Preparation Before Turbinate Reduction Surgery

Listed below are some preparation tips to follows to prepare yourself for turbinate reduction surgery:

• Consult a doctor: During the consultation, a doctor will provide specific instructions about what medications you should avoid and which you can continue to take. They will also tell you when to stop eating and drinking leading up to the surgery. 
• Avoid smoking: A healthcare provider usually suggests avoiding smoking, chewing tobacco, and vaping 4 weeks before surgery to avoid the chances of any complications.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs: You must avoid alcohol 24 hours before surgery. Stop marijuana in any form 1 week before surgery.

Follow diet: Try to stay in good health. Ensure that you are eating and sleeping well. You must avoid eating 8 hours before surgery.

Recovery After Turbinate Reduction Surgery

Recovery after turbinate reduction surgery varies from individual to individual. It also depends on the severity of the condition, how much excess tissue had to be removed, and whether the turbinate surgery was combined with another sinus-opening procedure such as balloon sinus dilation.

Complete turbinate reduction recovery can take up to six weeks. For less turbinate reductions, recovery is usually quick and not very painful. You must avoid strenuous activities and blowing your nose for several weeks after the surgery. Your doctor may also recommend you elevate your head while sleeping to avoid irritating your nose. 

Risk & Complications Associated with Turbinate Reduction Surgery

Turbinate reduction surgery is usually safe and effective, but like any surgical procedure,, it also carries certain risks and complications, including,

• Scar tissue or crusting in the nose
• A hole in the tissue that divides the sides of the nose (septum)
• Loss of feeling in the skin on the nose
• Change in the sense of smell
• Fluid buildup in the nose
• Return of the nasal blockage after surgery
• Bleeding

Lifestyle Changes After Turbinate Reduction

After turbinate reduction surgery, you must adopt some lifestyle changes to promote healing after surgery:

• Managing bleeding: Some bleeding and discharge are normal in the first few weeks after nasal surgery. If bleeding persists, sit forwards slightly, pinch your nostrils closed, and breathe through your mouth, spitting out any blood if you need to.   
• Managing nasal congestion: Your nose will feel blocked until the swelling goes down, it may take at least 2 weeks. Sleeping and resting with your elevated on 2 pillows can relieve congestion.  
• Restrictions on activities: During healing, you must avoid blowing your nose. You must avoid heavy lifting or playing sports as it can delay recovery. 
• Managing pain: After surgery, you may have a feeling of pressure in your nose and some pain for several days. A healthcare provider usually suggests painkillers to cope with pain. However, you must avoid taking aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or diclofenac, as they can increase the risk of nosebleeds.
• Avoiding infections: During the healing process, stay away from people with colds or chest infections to reduce the risk of infection.   
• Avoiding smoke and dust: Avoid smoke and dust as they can increase the risk of infection. 
• Follow-up: It is important to attend all follow-up consultations with your healthcare provider to check that your nose is cleared of blood and fluid.

Cost of Turbinate Reduction Surgery

The cost of turbinate reduction surgery in India typically ranges from INR 40,000 to INR 60,000. This is the estimated cost of surgery; the final cost of surgery can vary depending on various factors, including,

• Surgeon’s fee
• Cost of diagnostic tests
• Cost of hospitalization
• Choice of the hospital
• Any pre-existing health condition
• Cost of medications
• Any pre-existing health condition
• Cost of anesthesia

Does Insurance Cover Turbinate Reduction Surgery?

Yes! The turbinate reduction procedure is covered under insurance. However, the specifics of the policy can vary from policy to policy. You must consult your healthcare provider before surgery to understand the specifics of the policy. 

Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Turbinate Reduction Surgery

Before undergoing turbinate reduction surgery, it is important to ask the following questions to the surgeon to have a better understanding of the procedure, potential advantages and risks, and complications associated with it:

• What is the turbinate reduction surgery success rate?
• What are the potential advantages of turbinate reduction?
• What are the risks and complications associated with turbinate reduction?
• What is the recovery period for turbinate reduction surgery?
• What precautions do I need to take after the turbinate reduction surgery to promote healing?
• Can I shrink my turbinates without surgery?
• What is the best method for turbinate reduction?
• Do turbinates grow back after the surgery?
• What are the risk factors for turbinate reduction surgery?
• Is turbinate reduction a major surgery?
• What are the restrictions after turbinate surgery?
• What can I eat after turbinate surgery?