Hello again. 3 months ago I made a post about getting a septoplasty, which is just a fancy medical term for straightening out my nose cavities. I said just about everything I wanted to on my first post about the immediate aftermath, but now that more time has passed I’ve noticed a few more things that I think are worth mentioning.
First and foremost, having the surgery done does not necessarily guarantee your nasal breathing will improve. Sure that’s the eventual goal, and the surgery gives your body a significant advantage in making that happen, but the actual process of getting your body to switch from mouth breathing to nasal breathing takes time and a lot of practice.
My body had been fighting nasal breathing from the moment I got the splints removed, and the only reason it’s improved is because I’ve forced it. Sure it’s much, much easier now than before. But at the same time it’s been a habit to breathe out of my mouth, and it takes constant diligence to make it consistently come from the nose instead. It’s a process that requires constant checking and reminding.
This then brings up continuing the process at night while asleep. This has been quite challenging as well, mostly due to me having to change my sleeping habits. I tend to sleep on my side, which unfortunately does not provide the best chances of helping me breathe better. Lying on the back is always best. Still, training the body to get comfortable and stay in that position is another story. I won’t complain too much but it definitely takes some getting used to.
Finally, nasal irritation has become part of my daily routine. I was hoping to not need it anymore after my nose was fully healed, but I’ve learned it helps keep the sinuses clear, especially when it gets clogged after a poor nights’ sleep. I find that rinsing once a day in both nostrils significantly helps to clear the nasal passages and helps get rid of the nasty phlegm I tend to get in the mornings.
With all of this said, I don’t regret a thing and feel so much better now that this is done. I just wanted to reiterate how this is not a one time fix all surgery, but rather a step in the process to getting better breathing. It’s taken a lot of effort to change my old breathing habits and I’m still working on some. As I’ve mentioned before, nothing worth having comes easily.
As always, thanks for reading. Rock on, stay strong.