Coblation turbinate reduction

Hello there,
I had coblation turbinate reduction on Aug.28, 2009. I had enlarged turbinates after prolonged rhynitis and nose bleed during pregnancy, no allergies or deviated septum. I was not able to breathe properly while lying down, when I was up it was much better.
Now almost 1 month after the procedure I fill just a little bit improvement. My nose still swells when I am down. When I am up it is better than before, but while lying always one side is swollen- depend on which side I sleep.
Is it normal 1 month after the surgery? Someone with experience with coblation, please, let me know if I can expect an improvement soon or all this means the procedure did not work. I had infection a few days after the coblation and was on antibiotics. Can this slow down the effect of the procedure?
I know sometimes we have to repeat the coblation in order to achieve the best result, but I was reassured by the doctor that for me it will work from the first time, because I don't have allergies or other sinus issues.

Thanks

I had turbinate reduction and septum reconstruction in 1990. For me, it made no difference whatsoever in terms of stuffiness, in any position. I will say that it virtually eliminated allergy sinus symptoms which had been debilitating for most of my life - so for me that's what made the procedure worth the trouble. But it did nothing to address the intended problem.

KSMike wrote:I had turbinate reduction and septum reconstruction in 1990. For me, it made no difference whatsoever in terms of stuffiness, in any position. I will say that it virtually eliminated allergy sinus symptoms which had been debilitating for most of my life - so for me that's what made the procedure worth the trouble. But it did nothing to address the intended problem.

Hi, do you mean you are still stuffed?
Did you try something else? Now there are a lot of new methods of turbinate reduction compare to 1990.

I am 3 weeks from today since my coblation. I noticed that the mucus production from the healing has been dying down for the last week. When there is no mucus backup, especially after a sinus rinse, I notice it is much easier for me to breath and my resmed AHI has gone from a 7-8 to 3-4. I was told that healing can take many weeks depending on the person.

Hi Bryanjf,
I was told by my doctor that at about 4-th week I must be O.K. or I can consider the procedure for failure, hence I don't have allergy or other sinus problems. Any way, I know from other doctor and from my own research that the best result can be seen at about 6-th week, so I will wait a little bit longer before decided what to do next. But many doctors say that about 50% of the patients need second procedure to get the full relief.
I just want to compare my experience with s.o else's. I would be glad if you keep me posted how is going your recovery.

PAS wrote: Hi, do you mean you are still stuffed?

Yes, a good part of the time. But for me it just means I'm no better or worse than what I was already used to, except my allergy symptoms are gone. So I've left it at that.

I had this procedure because I have a slight deviated septum that is not worth operating on (accdg to docs) which was good advice. However, I get frequent sinus infections because of the blockage and I had really bad allergies. As a result of allergies and sinus infections, the doc suggested coblation and I was able to discontinue my daily dose of zyrtec D which was a MIRACLE! The results helped me for many years (about 5) and now I'm reconsidering getting it again. Has anyone gotten a repeat coblation where they just reduce the turbinates with a burning technique? Its painless and quick but I want to know if anyone ever got it again? I'm getting sinus infections again, blockage and can't breath well because the turbinates are swelling quite a bit. Any thoughts?

Loved this procedure wrote:I had this procedure because I have a slight deviated septum that is not worth operating on (accdg to docs) which was good advice. However, I get frequent sinus infections because of the blockage and I had really bad allergies. As a result of allergies and sinus infections, the doc suggested coblation and I was able to discontinue my daily dose of zyrtec D which was a MIRACLE! The results helped me for many years (about 5) and now I'm reconsidering getting it again. Has anyone gotten a repeat coblation where they just reduce the turbinates with a burning technique? Its painless and quick but I want to know if anyone ever got it again? I'm getting sinus infections again, blockage and can't breath well because the turbinates are swelling quite a bit. Any thoughts?

hi i habe had this surgery 4 times with the burning technique it has not worked for me matter of fact i had the surgery yest which was jan 31,2012 my nose is non stop runny now and i cant even blow my nose due the severe stuffyness i have. this surgery might work for some but didnt for me. it seems to have made things worser but it is only my first day of recovery so we will see what happens

Isn't this procedure sometimes related to empty nose syndrome?