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This would have been great to read about before I had surgery. I had septo-rhinoplasty and turbinate reduction last year to help sleep apnoea. It was recommende

This would have been great to read about before I had surgery. I had septo-rhinoplasty and turbinate reduction last year to help sleep apnoea. It was recommended by a sleep specialist who noted my nasal passages were ‘very small’. It was also recommended by two separate surgeons. It was still very hard for me to trust the surgeons, since there is a conflict of interest. Overall I was able to breathe freely through my nose for about a month and then the effect slowly wore off. Overall it is better but not life-changing or worth the gross pain and bleeding from surgery. My nose is still tender and aching a year later. I think the article is spot-on. I always have a creeping feeling when doctors recommend surgery, as they make lots of money from cutting me open and the benefits may be dubious. I will try what this article recommends: trying to direct air through my nose at night.

aakresearch 5y ago
A few years ago I experienced an episode of debilitating sinus pain, although generally my breathing was not obstructed. After a year of misery I was referred to some ENT surgeon. 30 seconds into consultation, after glancing at X-rays the doctor started pushing a surgery because, apparently, my mid-nasal cartilage wasn't looking straight enough for him. When I asked if it would help my sinus pain the answer was "maybe, but unlikely", but "just sign here and we'll start preparation for the operation; it is mostly covered by Medicare!". Fair to say, that consultation didn't last too long. I haven't seen any other doctor after, and the pain subsided and was completely gone in 6 months or so.
- joeman1000 5y ago
  It is so blood-boiling that someone would push another person into potentially debilitating surgery just to make some money. I had a surgeon holding the pen on the consent forms and he had barely even told me what he would do. I felt sick, as I realised it was just a way to catch me off guard and not let me think about the decision.

aakresearch 5y ago

A few years ago I experienced an episode of debilitating sinus pain, although generally my breathing was not obstructed. After a year of misery I was referred to some ENT surgeon. 30 seconds into consultation, after glancing at X-rays the doctor started pushing a surgery because, apparently, my mid-nasal cartilage wasn't looking straight enough for him. When I asked if it would help my sinus pain the answer was "maybe, but unlikely", but "just sign here and we'll start preparation for the operation; it is mostly covered by Medicare!". Fair to say, that consultation didn't last too long. I haven't seen any other doctor after, and the pain subsided and was completely gone in 6 months or so.

joeman1000 5y ago
It is so blood-boiling that someone would push another person into potentially debilitating surgery just to make some money. I had a surgeon holding the pen on the consent forms and he had barely even told me what he would do. I felt sick, as I realised it was just a way to catch me off guard and not let me think about the decision.