Is Septoplasty Right for You? A Guide to Fixing a Deviated Septum

The septum is the thin wall of cartilage and bone that divides your left and right nasal passages. Ideally, it should sit in the center. But for a lot of people, it’s off to one side. This misalignment is known as a deviated septum.

Depending on how severe the deviation is, it can block one side of your nose and limit airflow, causing you to breathe more through your mouth or snore at night. Some people experience facial pressure, headaches, frequent nosebleeds, or postnasal drip. 

Treatment options vary. For minor symptoms, nasal sprays or allergy meds might help. However, a septoplasty may be the best fix if the problem affects your breathing or sinus health. 

Mani Zadeh, MD, is the best person to guide you if you're considering your treatment options for a deviated septum. As a board-certified ear, nose, and throat specialist in Los Angeles, Dr. Zadeh helps you determine if surgery is necessary and performs the procedure with expert care and a proven track record of complication-free results.

In this blog, he explains what symptoms to watch for and when surgery makes sense when dealing with a deviated septum.

Symptoms of a deviated septum

One of the trickiest things about a deviated septum is that the symptoms can mimic other, less serious problems. Seasonal allergies, common colds, and even sleep apnea can all cause a stuffy nose, mouth breathing, and snoring, some of the most common symptoms of a deviated septum. 

If you’re always congested on the same side of your nose and over-the-counter meds don’t help much, it might not be allergies. It might be structural. The symptoms can disrupt your life: you can’t sleep well, get constant sinus infections, or quickly run out of breath when exercising.

Treatment for a deviated septum

Treatment options vary depending on the severity. You can manage mild symptoms with decongestants, antihistamines, or nasal steroid sprays. Moderate to severe cases, where the deviation physically blocks airflow or leads to chronic sinus problems, may require a septoplasty.

What is septoplasty?

A septoplasty is a surgical procedure that straightens the nasal septum. It’s typically done through the nostrils, so there are no external scars. Dr. Zadeh trims, repositions, or removes parts of your cartilage and bone to improve airflow.

It’s a relatively quick outpatient procedure, often taking under an hour. Recovery time is usually about a week for most people. Septoplasties have a high success rate and can be truly life-changing if you’ve been struggling with the symptoms of a severe deviation.

When should you consider septoplasty?

If you’re unsure whether your symptoms justify surgery, ask yourself these questions:

• Do you often have trouble breathing through your nose, especially on one side?
• Do you get frequent sinus infections or facial pain?
• Do you snore heavily or breathe through your mouth while sleeping?
• Have medications failed to give you lasting relief?

If you answered yes to most of these, it might be time to book a consultation with Dr. Zadeh.

What to expect before, during, and after surgery

Before surgery, you’ll go through a detailed evaluation. Dr. Zadeh may use a nasal endoscopy or a CT scan to assess the severity of your deviation. He’ll walk you through what to expect, answer all your questions, and make sure you’re well-informed.

A septoplasty requires local or general anesthesia. It’s outpatient, meaning you go home the same day. Dr. Zadeh performs the procedure entirely through your nostrils, leaving no visible scars.

After the procedure, you can expect some swelling and congestion for a few days. Most people can return to work or school within a week. Complete healing takes a bit longer, but you can typically breathe easier almost immediately.

Septoplasty isn’t for everyone, but for the right candidate, it can make a world of difference. If you’ve gotten used to mouth breathing, constant congestion, or poor sleep, you don’t have to keep living that way. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Zadeh today to fix your septum once and for all.