Diving after a septoplasty operation

[Scarborough Diver]

I was told today by a specialist that I need a septoplasty performed to correct a twisted septum. I told him that I'm a diver and if he could give me an ETA post-op to when I'd be able to dive again and he suggested 2 weeks. I was wondering what the opinions of any medical professionals on the forum might be. Since you guys are divers, you might be able to give some more detailed insight.

 

[doctormike]

No offense, but you have the recommendation of the surgeon who will actually be doing the operation, and who knows exactly what he or she will be doing to your nose. I'm not sure what you would do with the opinions of medical professionals who are probably not even in that field, and haven't had the opportunity to examine you.

This sort of question comes up a lot, usually when a non-diving, non-specialist doctor tells someone that they should never dive again. In that case, I can certainly see getting some sort of group feedback, and more important, a second opinion from someone with dive medicine experience. But taking two weeks off from diving after an operation on your upper airway? What if some doctor here told you that they thought that one week was enough? Would you go with that instead? Would you tell your surgeon?

PLEASE don't take this the wrong way, I don't mean to come off as dismissive or arrogant. I love scubaboard, and I am always happy to try to help people understand the basic medical facts that affect diving and make local referrals. These discussions are usually very helpful. I just feel that as a medical moderator, I should try to comment on the appropriate application of online health discussions.

Good luck with the surgery, and safe diving!

 

[Dhboner]

I really appreciate you comments Dr. Mike (and I hope the OP does too) but I'm pretty sure he posted here out of concern that 2 weeks may not, in fact, be enough recovery. I htink he fears that the surgeon may not have any experience with the effects of scuba diving post-surgery and the OP was hoping to get a second opinion from a medical doctor with diving experience.

How do I have this insight into the OP's mind...I'm his dad!

Bob

 

[doctormike]

I really appreciate you comments Dr. Mike (and I hope the OP does too) but I'm pretty sure he posted here out of concern that 2 weeks may not, in fact, be enough recovery. I htink he fears that the surgeon may not have any experience with the effects of scuba diving post-surgery and the OP was hoping to get a second opinion from a medical doctor with diving experience.

How do I have this insight into the OP's mind...I'm his dad!

Bob

Aha! Well, I love diving with my sons, and I certainly wouldn't want anything to get in the way of that... yours is a MUCH better interpretation of the OP question than mine was..!

Again, I would always defer to the treating physician, but here's a little background. Septoplasty involves removing or reshaping the cartilage wall in the middle of the nose. I can't see much of a problem with diving once the packing is out or removed, and the swelling has gone down, for a typical case of this type. Two weeks seems like enough time, but I would always want to see the patient before signing off. I'm assuming that he will go for a follow up visit before returning to diving.

Sinus surgery, on the other hand, involves operating around the bony walls between the nasal air passages and the brain/eyes. This bone can be thinned or broken, and significant pressure changes before healing is complete could definitely cause significant problems. Most sinus surgeons would probably wait longer before clearing a patient for diving.

Thanks for the clarification!

Mike

 

[Scarborough Diver]

Haha thanks Dad lol thats more clear about what i was concerned about. Thanks for the tips Dr. Mike. The specialist was a little impersonal when he was describing the procedure (didnt even make eye contact lol) but did ask if i had any questions and that was one i asked and he seemed like he was erring on the side of caution which makes sense to me.

 

[doctormike]

Haha thanks Dad lol thats more clear about what i was concerned about. Thanks for the tips Dr. Mike. The specialist was a little impersonal when he was describing the procedure (didnt even make eye contact lol) but did ask if i had any questions and that was one i asked and he seemed like he was erring on the side of caution which makes sense to me.

No problem! Feel free to write any time.

Good luck with the operation, I'm sure that it will help you breathe better...

 

[Hank49]

Septoplasty involves removing or reshaping the cartilage wall in the middle of the nose. I can't see much of a problem with diving once the packing is out or removed, and the swelling has gone down, for a typical case of this type. Two weeks seems like enough time, but I would always want to see the patient before signing off. I'm assuming that he will go for a follow up visit before returning to diving.

Mike

Sounds like equalizing could be painful for a while after that surgery.
My son has a ...lump...all his life on one side of his septum. It's caused him problems with sinus infections on that side fairly often. He's a diver also and while freediving has had to stop due to extreme sinus pain.
A guy here says he can remove it and it should help. Is this a fairly simple procedure? And yes, I know this is the internet and I won't get out my Buck and cut it out for him. But, my DAD was a doctor......hah.

 

[doctormike]

Sounds like equalizing could be painful for a while after that surgery.
My son has a ...lump...all his life on one side of his septum. It's caused him problems with sinus infections on that side fairly often. He's a diver also and while freediving has had to stop due to extreme sinus pain.
A guy here says he can remove it and it should help. Is this a fairly simple procedure? And yes, I know this is the internet and I won't get out my Buck and cut it out for him. But, my DAD was a doctor......hah.

Well, hard to know what a "lump" there would be, but a deviated nasal septum often looks like a swelling when you look in the nose...



The main thing that fixing a deviated septum does is to improve nasal obstruction... in rare cases, it can block sinus drainage, but the operation is mainly for airflow.

Is it a simple procedure? When parents in my practice ask that I tell them that the definition of a minor operation is an operation on someone else's kid...

 

[Hank49]

Thanks Doctormike. That picture pretty much looks like what Jake has. His airflow on his right nostril is constricted. He says it's been that way his whole life. So, when did you say you're coming to Belize?

 

[doctormike]

Thanks Doctormike. That picture pretty much looks like what Jake has. His airflow on his right nostril is constricted. He says it's been that way his whole life. So, when did you say you're coming to Belize?

You want to trade some dives for a septoplasty..? That sounds TERRIFIC!