If you struggle to breathe clearly through your nose, wake up tired, or constantly battle sinus infections, you may be dealing with a deviated septum. This common condition affects up to 70% of the population—and for many, it significantly impacts daily life.
Septoplasty is a proven, low-risk procedure that corrects a deviated septum and restores healthy nasal airflow. Performed by Dr. Travis Shaw in Richmond, VA, septoplasty can dramatically improve your breathing, sleep, and overall quality of life.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know—benefits, risks, candidacy, recovery timeline, and what to expect from your consultation.
What Is a Septoplasty?
Septoplasty is a procedure that physically straightens the cartilage and bone inside your nose so air can flow properly through both nostrils. Unlike medications or nasal sprays that temporarily reduce inflammation, this surgery directly fixes the structural problem causing your symptoms.
It’s usually done under general anesthesia, takes about an hour, and is performed entirely inside the nose—no visible incisions. Most patients go home the same day.
What it’s not: a cosmetic nose job. Septoplasty won’t change the shape of your nose from the outside. It’s a functional procedure designed to help you breathe better, sleep more deeply, and stop relying on your mouth for airflow.
If you’ve exhausted non-surgical options and your nasal obstruction still affects your daily life, this is the option that actually addresses the root cause.
Why People Get Septoplasty (And What It Actually Fixes)
Most people don’t jump into nasal surgery lightly. They get septoplasty because they’ve tried everything else—prescription sprays, allergy meds, decongestants, even sleeping upright—and nothing truly fixes the problem.
It’s not just about congestion. It’s about feeling like you’re never breathing at 100%, especially during sleep or exercise. It’s about constantly waking up with a dry mouth, always leaning toward one side to breathe better, or timing your day around when your nose will “shut off” again.
Septoplasty is usually the next step when those daily symptoms start interfering with your quality of life:
- You’re tired of relying on mouth breathing to get through the night
- You get sick more often because your sinuses aren’t draining well
- Your snoring is affecting your partner—or you’re worried about sleep apnea
- You can’t exercise or speak for long without running out of air
People choose septoplasty because they’re ready for a permanent solution—not another temporary fix that only works for a few hours. If you’ve gotten used to poor breathing as your “normal,” this surgery can be a reset.
Benefits of Septoplasty
If you decide to get septoplasty, here are the advantages you can enjoy:
1. Breathing That Feels Effortless
- You can jog without switching to mouth-breathing.
- No more “one-open-nostril” days.
- Your voice sounds less nasal because air finally moves through both passages.
2. Deeper, Quieter Sleep
- Partners report little or no snoring.
- You stop waking up with a desert-dry mouth.
- Morning grogginess improves because your oxygen levels stay steady overnight.
3. Fewer Sinus Infections & Headaches
- Congestion no longer turns into a lingering sinus infection every cold season.
- Less facial pressure and pounding “behind-the-eye” headaches.
- Lower antibiotic use and fewer urgent-care visits.
4. Sharper Sense of Smell & Taste
- Holiday cooking aromas return; coffee smells richer.
- Food tastes stronger because nasal airflow reaches your olfactory receptors again.
5. Better Workout Performance
- Higher endurance on runs or Peloton rides because you’re not gasping through your mouth.
- Heart rate stays lower at the same pace due to improved oxygen uptake.
What to Expect After Septoplasty
Septoplasty is a low-risk procedure, so it should not involve much downtime. However, you might want to take off the first few days after the septoplasty; most people need an average of one week off. During this time, your nose may feel more blocked than before, but that’s a normal side effect of the procedure. Your nose will swell before you can take that first “good breath” of air, so you will breathe through your mouth during this time.
The first signs of improvement often show after one week, with your breathing improving more and more. Your nasal congestion should have significantly faded, and while there will still be some swelling, you may return to your daily activities. Depending on the severity of the deviated septum and the complexity of the procedure, it may take around one to three months for your breathing to be entirely changed.
Days 1–3: Immediate Post‑Op
Symptoms: Nasal congestion, moderate swelling, mild discomfort.
Care Tips: Keep head elevated; apply cold compress; use saline spray as instructed.
Days 4–7: Early Improvement
Symptoms: Reduced swelling; splints or packing removal in follow‑up visit.
Activities: Short walks; avoid bending or heavy lifting; sleep upright.
Week 2: Regaining Routine
Symptoms: Noticeable airflow improvement; minimal discomfort.
Activities: Return to desk work; gentle stretching; continue saline rinses.
Weeks 3–4: Active Healing
Symptoms: Continued decrease in congestion; tissue settling.
Activities: Light exercise (walking, yoga); avoid contact sports.
1–3 Months: Final Results
Symptoms: Swelling resolved; full nasal airflow restored.
Milestones: Resume full activities; final post‑op check‑up with Dr. Shaw.
Book Your Septoplasty Consultation Today!
Septoplasty can help you regain control of your life when your nose seems to want to suffocate you on a daily basis. By getting septoplasty, you can correct the flow of air going through your nostrils, so you won’t have to rely on your mouth to breathe. Schedule an appointment for septoplasty with Dr. Travis Shaw and start the new year with a fresh breath of air!
For more information about the septoplasty procedure, contact Dr. Travis Shaw at 804-775-4559. He can offer you all the details you need to determine if the procedure is right for you. As an alternative, you can fill out the provided online contact form, and we will get in touch with you shortly.
