Sinus surgery Thursday

[WeldonDowd]

My dive buddy is having Septoplasty and endoscopic sinus surgery next week. We just left her ENT Dr. Evedently this has been a problem she has had since puberty but now medicines aren't helping her breath so surgery is the answer. She has had no problems equalizing in the past while diving and after seeing the blockage in her air spaces I am suprised by this. I seem to be more scared then she is about this procedure, but we are hoping that it will solve her breathing problems and some others. Her dr. seems to think that diving after she heels from this surgery will be even easier and that she can continue our hobby with ease; we hope this is true. Can anyone way in on diving success after this procedure?

 

[cudachaser]

I've had 3 sinus surgeries in my 60 years...recovery is very quick...she'll be back in the water in a few short weeks

 

[toddthecat]

Can't say I know anything about sinus surgeries but my best wishes to her! I'm sure plenty of us here are hoping for a quick recovery so she can get back in the water!

 

[pjhansman]

Just one sinus surgery so far.....there's nothing to it and it'll make breathing and equalizing much easier.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Greetings Weldon,
It sounds like she is having two separate procedures. A septoplasty, once it's healed, normally helps the person breathe through the nose better and should not affect diving. Regarding the endoscopic surgery: it depends on what she's having done. If it restores her sinuses to normal function and they are properly vented, she shouldn't have any problems with that either. On the other hand, I've seen one patient with such severe issues that the ENT folks left him with an enclosed frontal sinus, which would be a contraindication to diving. Your buddy's ENT physician should be able to advise her appropriately.

 

[Kksmama]

My buddy had sinus surgery, he experienced major improvements in general health afterwards: much less "maintenance" medication (now he takes one antihistamine instead of antihistamine plus decongestants, steroids, inhalers, etc), much less illness, and no issues diving. The day of surgery was pretty awful, the follow-up visits for irrigation and all that yuck were terrible, but 18 months later we've mostly forgotten all that.
Best wishes to yours!