How to Sleep After Septoplasty

How-to-Sleep-After-Septoplasty

If you are about to have a septoplasty, or if you underwent one, this post is perfect for you. We will share the most important things about the procedure, including how to sleep after septoplasty. After all, the success of your operation largely depends on how you take care of yourself.

Septoplasty Overview

When we say septoplasty, it’s a surgery where it aims to correct a deviated septum. What a surgeon does is straightens the septum so it can be restored in its proper position. This will allow better airflow and could essentially improve your breathing.

Septoplasty is an outpatient procedure that usually takes an hour or less. If done properly, you should not experience external bruising.

How to Sleep After Septoplasty

Tips on How To Sleep After Septoplasty

First of all, you need to know that sleeping after septoplasty might be uncomfortable for the first three days. And you must be prepared that you might get a poor quality of sleep. That’s primarily because of the swelling and the pain. However, here are a few tips that could help you.

Clean Your Room

Before your surgery, make sure that you clean your room so that it will be free from dust and smoke. As you would already know, a filthy room makes it harder to breathe. So before your scheduled operation, change your sheets, and vacuum your entire room. If you need professionals to do it for you, then so be it.

Meanwhile, we found a good handy vacuum which we believe is a great investment. To stay healthy, you should regularly clean your space. And with your own vacuum, you can save so much by not hiring cleaning services. You might want to consider it.

INSE Store Cordless Vacuum Cleaner 

How to Sleep After Septoplasty - Tip Top Sleep

Check the latest price on Amazon.  

We have to admit. This vacuum won us because it’s cordless. Just imagine cleaning every corner of your room without much of a hassle. It can quickly pick up pet hairs, dust, and debris. And even with its power, you get to appreciate that it’s ultra-quiet. Now, that something you don’t usually find in vacuums. Since it is compact, you can easily keep it anywhere.

‘Where has this vacuum been all my life?’

This is one of the best reviews we’ve seen about the product. And yes, we also asked the same. If this existed decades ago, our lives would be a whole lot better.

Use a Cold Compress

If you feel a bit of discomfort, you can use an ice pack covered with cloth. Apply it to your eyes and forehead before you sleep. It helps with the swelling and is known to improve your breathing. Take note that you shouldn’t apply an ice bag directly to your nose. If possible, you should use a moist and cold wash cloth.

Elevate Your Head

What you need to do is to elevate your head as you sleep. This could slow down the bleeding. You can get multiple pillows if you wish to raise your head a bit. While there are recliner beds available, these can be too expensive for now. The best solution is to get your own wedge pillow. This is more cost-efficient, and here’s one that we highly recommend.

RELAX SUPPORT Wedge Pillow 

How to Sleep After Septoplasty - Tip Top Sleep

Check the latest price on Amazon.  

The great thing about this wedge pillow is that you have three elevation choices. It has two pillows which you can zip into one. Thus, you can adjust it to your comfort level. It also uses 100% quality foam. This is not just perfect after your septoplasty since it’s also beneficial for people suffering from neck pain, acid reflux, heartburn, and respiratory conditions, to name a few.

Don’t take our word for it. Their actual customers are all praises about this product. According to them, this is way better than stacking pillows at night. In fact, one of them used the wedge pillow right after a different surgery. That’s how versatile this product is.

Invest a Good Humidifier

Another great investment is to buy a humidifier as you could add moisture to your area. In fact, if you have phlegm in your nose and chest, a humidifier can break it easily. Having said that, it’s also beneficial right after your procedure.

Everlasting Comfort Cool Mist Humidifier 

How to Sleep After Septoplasty - Tip Top Sleep

Check the latest price on Amazon.  

This affordable humidifier is good for rooms up to 500 square feet and could even last for 50 straight hours. What’s a great detail is that they add an essential oils tray just in case you want to have an aromatherapy experience right at your home.

When it’s already out of water, the humidifier shuts down automatically. And it’s also silent, so you can sleep comfortably throughout the night. Its customers can attest to how quiet this product is.

Recovery from the Septoplasty

Expect that there will be congestion and swelling after a few days. If there are no cosmetic changes on your nose, there should be no external bleeding.

Do not be alarmed if you will feel tired days after your surgery. We recommend that you don’t make any plans for around three days. Also, resist the urge to blow your nose for a week after your procedure.

You should avoid lifting heavy objects for the first five days. And most importantly, do not smoke.

Taking Care Of Yourself After Septoplasty

While we don’t encourage anything strenuous, you can walk a little every day. You can increase the amount bit by bit. This could help in promoting healthy blood flow.

You can also take a shower, but please avoid swimming for the next six weeks. And when you are no longer taking pain medications, you can already drive.

As for your diet, you can eat normally. But you will notice that your bowel movement will be a bit different, and you might be constipated. Just make sure to take fiber supplements, of course, under the supervision of your doctor.

Watch Out for These

If you don’t notice any improvement in your condition in one week, call up your doctor right away. Here are the signs you have to watch out for.

  • trouble breathing
  • severe pain
  • irregular heartbeat
  • severe headache
  • changes in your vision
  • severe bleeding
  • fever

Learn more about the procedure from this video.

Conclusion, Sleeping After Septoplasty

Like any other medical procedure, it is critical that you know how to properly take care of yourself. If possible, have someone at home to help you with chores. Regardless if you underwent minor or major surgery, your body needs to recover. Do not force yourself to do high-intensity activities. That can wait until you are fully healed. And, of course, get as much sleep using our tips above.

By Michelle D.

Meet Michelle, founder of Tip Top Sleep, a website dedicated to helping you achieve the best sleep possible. With over 50 years of combined experience in the realm of sleep, Michelle and her team provide easy-to-follow tips and strategies to help you feel better, function better, and live better through optimal sleep. Let us help you prioritize your sleep and discover the power of a good night's rest.