Date sent: Tue, 4 Jan 2000 06:48:39 EST
Subject: RE Septum Surgery
To: vocalist
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

With regards to septum surgery - I had this same operation about 8 years ago now, but made the mistake of having my tonsils removed at the same time (I was 19 years old then - quite old to be having them out). It was a very silly thing to do in hindsight as you can't possibly breathe through your
nose for the first few days, so of course you breathe through your mouth, which, after just having had tonsils out, is extremely painful! Anyway, that's all beside the point if you're not having tonsils done at the same time. I do remember thinking at the time that had I only had my nose done,
it would have been quite easy going - the only thing that is painful about it is having the surgical packs removed the day after - OUCH! (But it doesn't take long) As for recovery time, I'd say you'd be back up and singing within a couple of weeks - in theory you could probably vocalise gently
within a couple of days (though you mightn't feel up to it..I also remember feeling a bit "strange" f!
!
or a while afterwards, like everything had been moved around.) I had a plaster cast on my nose and stitches for one week, then had both stitches and cast removed and evrything was back to normal!
The other thing I should say about septum surgery is that it doesn't always stay like that - I had septoplasty (where they straighten the septum, the inside bit) and also rhinoplasty (the outside bit, that makes you look nicer!) and my septum has not stayed straight, though cosmetically it looks
perfectly straight, due to the rhinoplasty. After a few years (about five, I'd say) it was as bad as ever and I am considering having the operation again, due to problems with sinus infections after colds etc. Do ask them about this - mine casually forgot to mention it to me!
Finally - DO tell them that you sing - I did and it seemed to have made a difference to how carefully my throat was treated.

Sorry for such a long post,
Hope this helps,
CATHERINE .
(Who is also in London and feeling a bit sick of it!)