So I went under the drill. Post-Op pics inside.

    I have always had breathing issues from childhood.


    It has reflected in diving by sometimes not being able to clear my nose to equalize.


    After 6months of x-rays, drugs, test, going to mutiple doctors.


    The only answer that could be found was to operate.



    So after a great day Shore diving this Sunday I wake up Monday morning at 6:00am and head to hospital for pre-op prep by 9:30am and getting knocked get woken up 1:30hr later.


    They went in with a drill cutting away bone, then with a laser to burn away skin which has been swollen shut.




    I'm on tylenol 3 which does nothing for me.
    I have a major headaches which go away for just 30min after I take a pill.


    Been getting 20min of sleep at a time here and there.


    Now waiting to see the doctor again in an hour.



    My goal is that this will improve my diving and overall fitness.


    I'll post more details later of what the operation they did was called and such.



    .Larry O M. . .

    Edited 2 times, last by LOMartin ().

    great picture man. if your nose stay that big, you should be able to breath like a walrus.
    but serious man, wish you all the best....! blessings!:thumbup:

    Get well soon,good luck ,looking at the pictures your getting a nose like me.hope the swelling goes down.

    <img src= " class="smiley" srcset="https://spearfishing.world/forum/images/smilies/emojione/1f606@2x.png 2x" height="23" width="23" loading="eager" data-tooltip="biggrin" aria-label="biggrin">  tinu. anywayz i hope the surgery does the trick. get well soon man

    ouch buddy :( hopefully it will seem like a small price to pay for the great improvement in the quality of your life after the fact.


    to a swift and easy recovery :toast:

    i like to spear fish

    Larry, I know several people that have had this done, none were divers though. They described in great detail how painful post op is. I feel for ya!!!


    What kinda of breathing issues did you have? I've always been a snotty kid^^. Even to this day, I'm usually congested in one nostril. (mostly allergies)

    Quote from Mariner

    Larry, I know several people that have had this done, none were divers though. They described in great detail how painful post op is. I feel for ya!!!


    What kinda of breathing issues did you have? I've always been a snotty kid^^. Even to this day, I'm usually congested in one nostril. (mostly allergies)


    I have also always been a "snotty kid" also.


    At first they thought it was allergies but then after testing ruled that out.


    It would be very hard for me to breath with my nose. Think of a bent straw. So I would be a mouth breather.

    i am snotty as well. My docs decided i was a non-allergic rhinitis which makes me react to random allergens as though i was allergic...


    anything that compromises your respiration is a HUGE pain in the ass!!

    i like to spear fish

    UPDATE!!!


    Got back from the doc.


    They pulled the packing from one side out today.


    They pulled it out fast which didn't feel very nice.
    For some reason I went into Shock, my hands, arms and stomach cramped up and started feeling like I was about to pass out.


    Long story short I recovered and they left the other side to un-pack tomorrow.


    So I get home I started unpacking the other side myself slowly and feel great I left the last bit(plug) for them tomorrow.


    Can't breath with the un-packed side due to lots of blood and such still coming out.




    I'm shareing this info, for those that may face the same issues but not want to do it thinking they my not be able to dive again. Which was the reason I have taken so long to donthis op. I wanted a 100% forsure that I would still be able to dive after this. So I hope this turns out well and could reasureing for those thinking about it.

    I had this same operation done about 3 years ago, it was due to excess cartilage in my nostril area and it was nearly impossible to breath through my nose, I forget the name of what they call it. They scrape and cut away the inside of your nose and go up into your sinuses as well, hurt like hell after the pain medicine wore off and they shove what looks like 2 huge tampons up your nose afterwards. Then like a few days later they pull them out and it is like you are breathing for the first time, so clear and fresh, almost unbelievable, but, after time the problem came back just slightly as they said it would, but still is ok for breathup and much much better than it was. Best of luck, hang in there it is truly worth it and will get better for your diving for sure.

    I have a deviated septum, I can't breath through my nose well, for the most part I'm a mouth breather. I never made a connection between not being able to breath through my nose and not diving to my full potential. On the contrary I believe that diving and swimming compliments mouth breathing very well.


    When I was about 18 years old I had surgery to fix the deviated septum. I heard the same promises about having a better quality of life. Maybe there was an improvement initially, but after a while it went back to the same old thing. For me it was a waste of time. I don't think about it anymore, just this thread reminded me. Thanks for sharing your experience Larry.

    "deviated septum" yep, that's what I had, and yes it will in time go back to somewhat difficult breathing, but for me not nearly as bad as it was.

    Good info guys.



    What doc's said I have is SMR and a deviated septum.


    SMR is like the swollen cartilage that black1 speaks of.

    UPDATE.


    Stilling bleeding and having dry blood up in there but feeling better.


    I got the green light yesterday by the doc to go try diving and start slow.


    I headed out to my shore dive spot for a quick hour swim no deeper then 15'.




    It was amazing!
    The water was very warm in board shorts and 1mm/rashgaurd.
    The viz wasn't very good and the fish weren't out much but it felt great to be in the water.


    I was diving down slowly laying on the reef and just taken in the beauty of the ocean.
    I really feel it's easier to equalize now(I always do it handsfree) but it's slot smoother now.


    A beautiful day and a got some blood on the spear with a nice Yellow Jack.

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