ENT & Sleep
Septoplasty & Nasal Obstruction
Septoplasty straightens a deviated nasal septum to improve breathing, reduce congestion, and treat chronic snoring. The procedure is done through the nose with no external incisions, and most patients return home the same day.
AVERAGE PROCEDURE TIME
45 to 75 minutes
Anesthesia
General anesthesia
Recovery
Same day discharge
Ride home
Required if you receive sedation
Overview
A deviated septum blocks airflow on one or both sides, causing congestion, mouth breathing, disrupted sleep, and recurring sinus symptoms.
Septoplasty straightens the cartilage and bone dividing the nasal passages entirely through the nostrils, with no external incisions and no change to the shape of your nose.
Is this right for me?
Candidacy is confirmed after a review of your history, imaging, and medications. Patients we most often treat include those with:
- Chronic nasal obstruction on one or both sides
- Mouth breathing, snoring, or disrupted sleep
- Recurrent sinus infections or nosebleeds
- Limited response to nasal sprays and allergy care
What to expect, step by step
Arrival and preparation
You check in with a coordinator, change into a gown, and meet your nurse. Vitals are taken, an IV is started if needed, and your care team reviews the plan and answers questions with your caregiver present.
Straightening the septum
Deviated cartilage and bone are reshaped or removed through an incision inside the nostril.
Turbinate reduction
Enlarged turbinates are reduced in the same setting when they contribute to obstruction.
Recovery suite
You rest in a private recovery bay while your nurse monitors vitals and comfort. Written instructions are reviewed with you and your caregiver before discharge.
Home the same day
A caregiver drives you home. A member of our team calls the next business day to check on you and confirm your follow-up appointment.
Recovery
Expect congestion for the first week as swelling settles. Saline rinses are essential.
Desk work in three to five days, exercise at two weeks, full breathing benefit by four to six weeks.
Risks and what we watch for
Every procedure carries risk. These are the ones we discuss most often for this procedure.
- Bleeding, bruising, or soreness at the access site or incision
- Infection, which is why sterile technique and, when indicated, antibiotics are used
- Reaction to sedation, anesthesia, or contrast dye, monitored continuously by your anesthesia provider
- Incomplete relief of symptoms, or symptoms that return over time
- The need for additional treatment, imaging, or a different procedure
- Rarely, a complication serious enough to require a higher level of care than an outpatient setting provides
We review these with you in detail before you consent, and you can change your mind at any point.
Coverage note
We verify your benefits and give you a written estimate before scheduling.
Prepare for this procedure
- Before your surgery
- The day of your procedure
- Anesthesia and sedation
- Recovery at home and when to call
Frequently asked questions
Will my nose look different?
No. Septoplasty is functional surgery performed inside the nose and does not alter external appearance.
Will there be packing?
Most patients need only dissolvable material or soft splints removed at the first visit.
Is septoplasty done as an outpatient procedure?
Yes. It is performed at our ACHC-accredited ambulatory surgery center in The Woodlands, minutes from Tomball and Spring, and patients go home the same day with a caregiver.
Will my insurance cover it?
Coverage depends on your specific plan and benefits. Our team verifies your benefits and gives you a written estimate before anything is scheduled.
Do you offer Spanish-speaking support?
Yes. Bilingual English and Spanish coordination is available from your first call through recovery instructions and follow-up.
