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The inside of the nose is a delicate combination of airways and cavities that make up the nasal structure. Even a slight alteration of these structures can cause breathing difficulties, excessive snoring and other functional concerns that drastically reduce the quality of life.

Whether caused by trauma or a birth defect, septoplasty, also called functional rhinoplasty, can be performed to provide relief, allowing patients to breathe again without difficulty.

What is septoplasty?

A septoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to correct a deviated septum. A deviated septum occurs when the bones are not straight in the central structure of the nose that separates the nostrils. Septoplasty is one of the most common functional rhinoplasty procedures to correct a deviated septum. During a septoplasty procedure, the bones and cartilage of the septum are straightened to remove obstructions from the breathing passages.

Symptoms of a deviated septum

A deviated septum typically causes breathing difficulties, such as frequent, unexplained congestion. A deviated septum is uncomfortable and causes patients to breathe through their mouth, resulting dryness and other concerns, especially at night. This causes patients to have trouble sleeping.

A septoplasty can effectively address the following concerns and symptoms of a deviated septum:

  • Chronic sinus problems
  • Snoring
  • Sleep apnea and trouble sleeping
  • Breathing concerns
  • Allergies

Benefits of septoplasty

Septoplasty provides many benefits for patients who suffer from the effects caused by a deviated septum. Benefits include the following:

  • Easier breathing
  • Nasal blockage removed
  • Air flows more easily through the nose
  • Makes it possible to breathe through their nose rather than through the mouth
  • Better sleep quality
  • Resolves excessive snoring and sleep apnea
  • Better quality of life

What happens during a septoplasty procedure?

Dr. Fechner will begin with a thoughtful consultation to examine your nose and understand your concerns. He will explain the surgery to you in detail, and design a customized surgical plan to meet your exact needs.

Your surgery will be performed under general anesthesia. Depending on the complexity of your procedure, Dr. Fechner will utilize either the open or closed rhinoplasty technique to lift the mucous membrane away from the septum, and straighten the nasal bones and cartilage. He may remove sections of cartilage and bone to ensure the nasal structure doesn’t shift back into a position that blocks the airflow.

Typically, septoplasty nose surgeries take about an hour to perform and are performed with closed rhinoplasty. Incisions are made inside the nostrils, and the alterations are made without causing visible scars.

Patients undergoing cosmetic rhinoplasty at the same time as their septoplasty may require open rhinoplasty, requiring small incisions to be made on the outside of the nose, carefully made to be hidden in the natural folds of the skin. This provides Dr. Fechner access to the entire nasal structure, allowing him to make more significant changes to the nose.

Recovery after septoplasty

After your procedure there will be some swelling, which usually dissipates in about a week or so. For patients who are not having additional cosmetic procedures, there is not typically external bruising. Elevate your head and use cold compresses to help with the swelling.

Most patients feel able to begin sedentary work again after about two weeks. Wait to resume exercise until 3-6 weeks have passed. Swelling will continue to fade and your results will stabilize over the coming months as your nose settles into its new internal contours.

Who is a candidate for septoplasty?

Candidates for septoplasty are men or women who are suffering from the effects of a deviated septum due to a genetic defect or trauma. Dr. Fechner will conduct a thorough consultation with you, review your medical history, and he will examine the anatomy of your nose and listen to your concerns about your functional issues with your nose. Based on this information, he will determine whether you are a candidate for septoplasty. Ideal candidates for septoplasty meet the following requirements:

  • Are in good general health
  • Do not have a history of healing problems or medical concerns
  • Do not smoke
  • Have a deviated or crooked nasal septum
  • The nasal valves do not open and close properly when breathing
  • Snore excessively or have other breathing problems

Why choose Dr. Fechner for a septoplasty procedure?

Dr. Fechner is a double board-certified plastic surgeon, specializing in functional and cosmetic rhinoplasties and other facial plastic surgeries. Dr. Fechner is known for his significant expertise and outstanding outcomes, and having performed more than 10,000 facial procedures, he has a well-earned reputation as a leading authority in his field.

Patients who suffer from the effects of a deviated septum can trust a specialist like Dr. Fechner to resolve their concerns and bring their nose back to functionality, greatly increasing their quality of life. To find out more about septoplasty with Dr. Fechner, please call for a consultation.

Contact

Dr. Frank Fechner

428 Shrewsbury Street,Worcester, MA 01604

Fax: (508) 754-4222 Tel: 508-306-8363

428 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester, MA 01604

WE ARE EXCITED TO WELCOME YOU BACK TO FECHNER MD!

On behalf of the entire team at Fechner MD Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa, we would like to take a moment to say thank you again for your loyalty and support during this unprecedented time. The past several months have been unlike anything we've ever experienced, and we're working hard to evolve so that we can continue to provide you with the patient experience you have come to expect from our practice.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic, Fechner MD Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa has taken extreme precautionary measures, in addition to following the most up to date CDC recommendations and state guidelines to maximize the health and safety of our patients, staff and facility. Our surgical center and medical spa remain committed to providing the best patient care, and we are actively working to take all necessary precautions as we plan to safely re-open our practice. Please help us continue to protect the health and well-being of our patients and workplace by cooperating with all of our precautionary measures and protocols against COVID-19 at your next appointment, or as you plan for your surgery.

 

WHAT ARE WE DOING TO KEEP YOU AND OUR STAFF SAFE?

As a fully accredited surgical facility, Fechner MD has always observed the highest level of safety and sanitation. In fact, as a surgeon, Dr. Fechner is an expert in infection control. We want to ensure that we are doing everything possible for our patients to safely return for surgical and medical spa treatments alike.

  • Our accredited practice is exclusively reserved for our patients and staff.
  • Our facility is in a single, free standing building only occupied by our practice. This allows us to limit foot traffic to our patients and staff only.
  • Our staff work only at our facility and all travel in private transport. All of us are otherwise self-isolating at home.
  • We closely monitor our staff for symptoms and elevated temperature daily.
  • We sterilize all our instruments in house further reducing potential exposure.
  • We have PPE to meet our needs.
  • All our staff members will be using appropriate PPE including N95 masks and protective facei shields, goggles and head coverings.
  • We have purchased and installed air scrubbers throughout the facility to clean the air while the practice is open to patients.
  • We have purchased and installed ozone generators designed to sanitize the air in the facility at the end of each day.
  • We have purchased and installed touchless hand sanitizer units throughout the building.
  • We have purchased and installed plexi-glass protective shields in the reception area to provide a protective barrier for staff and patients.
  • Our staff continues to adhere to social distancing guidelines within our facility.
  • We have implemented a stringent survey and testing protocol for staff and patients.
  • We have implemented a virtual check in/ check out process for our patients.
  • We have ensured that there is minimum interaction of patients with other people while in the office.
  • We will continue to offer virtual consults and virtual follow up visits.
  • We provide you with a touchless payment system.

The upgraded work flow and safety protocols we have implemented at Fechner MD far exceed those being recommended by any government agency.

 

WHEN WILL FECHNER MD PLASTIC SURGERY & MEDICAL SPA OPEN?

Fechner MD will adhere to all local, state, and government mandates. We expect to cautiously resume medical spa and injectable treatments during Phase 2 of the Massachusetts phased reopening. We are awaiting a definitive date from Governor Baker. Cosmetic surgery is expected to resume during Phase 3 of Governor Baker’s plan. We ask for your patience and understanding as our staff is working diligently to reschedule all surgeries and procedures affected by our closure. Please understand that in order to open and adhere to Massachusetts guidelines, we will need to limit the number of staff and patients we have in our building and extend the time between patient appointments in order to sanitize rooms. This means we will have fewer available openings for procedures. In order to maximize our provider appointments, we will continue to hold consultations virtually rather than in person, with a few exceptions (body contouring, Instalift, vein treatments).

 

WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT AT FECHNER MD?

  • We will do our best to accommodate your preferred appointment date and time, but we very much appreciate your flexibility during this unprecedented time.
  • When booking your appointment, we will ask for your payment information to be securely stored in our payment system. The card you provide will be the card used to pay for your services. This will allow for a touchless checkout.
  • Required forms and documents will be sent to you electronically two days prior to your scheduled appointment via our new patient app, Touch MD. Touch MD will allow you to receive, review and sign documents directly from your personal cell phone.
  • One hour prior to your appointment, we will send you the Covid-19 Wellness Screening document to be completed via Touch MD. This must be completed prior to entering the building.

 

WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I ARRIVE FOR MY APPOINTMENT?

  • When you arrive for your scheduled appointment time, we ask that you park and remain in your car. Please send us a text message or call to let us know that you have arrived for your appointment.
  • When your provider is ready for your treatment, she will call or text you to let you know you may proceed to our vestibule.
  • Please leave your coat and personal belongings in your car.
  • Please do not bring along family or friends, unless you require physical assistance. They will not be allowed entry to the building.
  • Please wear your mask prior to entering the building and throughout your appointment. Should your mask need to be removed for treatment, your provider will let you know when to safely remove it.
  • Your provider will greet you at the door and will take a no contact temperature reading. *Any patient with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will be asked to leave the building and their appointment will be rescheduled a minimum of 14 days later.
  • You will be escorted immediately to a treatment room. Our waiting room will not be open during this time.
  • After your procedure or treatment the provider will collect payment via our secure payment system with the information you provided at booking.
  • Your provider will book a virtual follow up appointment with you, if necessary, and will escort you to the exit.

 

We thank you in advance for your patience throughout this time, and we look forward to seeing you here again as we begin to resume business operations. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Fechner MD Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa at (508) 754-4000 and our team will gladly assist you. Thank you!

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