During turbinate reduction surgery, Dr. Mehta reduces the size of enlarged turbinates to treat chronic nasal obstruction.
They are small structures inside your nose that clean and humidify air as it passes through your nostrils. When your turbinates are healthy, they control the moisture and temperature levels inside your nose and keep you comfortable. When they’re swollen and inflamed, you may experience nasal obstruction, excess mucus production, and chronic congestion.
You have three pairs of turbinates: superior, middle, and inferior. Each structure has a bony center that is covered in vascular tissue and mucous membranes. The tissue and membranes are what swell and create congestion and breathing challenges.
Dr. Mehta will perform your turbinate reduction surgery in Palo Alto under general anesthesia at our surgical center. The procedure typically doesn’t require a hospital stay, and you can expect to return home the same day to begin the recovery process.
Once the anesthesia has taken effect, Dr. Mehta will shrink your turbinate tissue with the utmost precision. In most cases, he will perform submucous resection, making a small incision in the lining of the inferior turbinates and removing a small piece of the turbinate bone.
How long is the recovery period for turbinate reduction?
What is the recovery period like?
Is turbinate reduction covered by insurance?
In most cases, you can return to work and your normal daily activities in about one week. You’ll have ongoing follow-up visits with Dr. Mehta for about six weeks so he can monitor your healing.
You’ll feel some pain and discomfort for about three days. Your nose will feel blocked until the majority of your swelling dissipates. You may continue to feel congested for a few weeks as healing continues.
It’s possible, depending on your coverage. During your initial consultation for turbinate reduction at our Palo Alto office, our staff will review your coverage and help you determine if your plan covers a portion of the procedure.
