Guns & Outdoors Forum

This is the 2nd time for me. The first was relatively pain free, and 10ish years ago. Obviously it wasn't permanent, or this wouldn't be a post right now. Initially, the difference from pre-op to waking up in recovery was pretty amazing. However, within 5ish years, I noticed breathing/smelling difficulties beginning to show up again. Eventually, my sinuses and nasal passage were completely blocked again. Not being a fan of the thought of breathing by subscription - and wanting to avoid follow-on surgery - I decided I would wait to address the problem a 2nd time, until I was closer to retirement and/or end of tour scenarios.

My doc convinced me to change my thoughts on that last December, and got me a consult with a surgeon. Fast forward to 9/21, and I went back under the knife, or endoscopic clipper, as it were. I woke up able to breathe through my nose immediately... like, REALLY breathe. The kind of breathing I could only remember vaguely. I slept on the couch most of that week, so I could sit up. My wife noticed I stopped snoring completely, and she actually came into the living room to make sure I hadn't stopped breathing, I was that quiet. Sleep improved immeasurably. I knew I wasn't getting the greatest sleep, but sometimes you can't see how bad something is until after you fix it. Apparently, sleep was like that for me. So was my sense of taste. No, I don't all of a sudden dress with flair... the food I eat has depth of flavor that I'd forgotten existed, if I ever truly appreciated it before. I'm kind of a foodie, and I love trying new things, but I've been walking around with my mouth watering for the past ten days, and it's a little embarrassing! Last, and certainly the high note of all of this: on Saturday, 5 days post-op, I smelled something for the 1st time in 6+ years... and I'm not ashamed to admit I got a little emotional. We ordered Mexican food, and when it arrived, I could smell the cilantro from several feet away. I'm a cilantro guy. I likes me some cilantro. I was overjoyed that I could smell... well, anything... but that olfactory punch in the face was almost intimidating.

Recovery has been a breeze. I had ZERO pain, and damned little of what I would call discomfort. My nose area is tender, but not sore. This whole experience has me wondering why I waited so long.

So what caused the stop up?

Side note, now you can screw with people. Walk up to the wife and kids, wrinkle your nose and make a weird face. “Ugh, do you smell that?”

I can appreciate that! I'm a foodie and eat new things all the time. I lost half my tastebuds a yera and a half ago to cancer but, I'm glad to be here.

CPJ 2.0 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2026 12:35 pm So what caused the stop up?

Polyps. The surgeon feels this is an allergic reaction and the plan to keep them from coming back is a steroidal rinse, possibly for life, but at least for an extended time.

Nice! I've been having some issues with the left nostril clogging up BAD usually during some sort of allergy season. I should have it checked out by a doctor before it becomes an issue, I probably have a polyp in there. Thanks for sharing and glad you had success.

On an associated story, years ago my wife had her "turbinates" removed because she has had SEVERE allergy issues since childhood. It was a great fix UNTIL she decide we needed to refresh our SCUBA certification. One of the things you have to do is remove your mask while under water and just breathe through the regulator in your mouth. I did it, no issues. She tried and she shot out of the water like a breeching whale. Apparently when you have no turbinates you have an open pipe for water to just flow through to your lungs

Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2026 5:41 pm Nice! I've been having some issues with the left nostril clogging up BAD usually during some sort of allergy season. I should have it checked out by a doctor before it becomes an issue, I probably have a polyp in there. Thanks for sharing and glad you had success.

On an associated story, years ago my wife had her "turbinates" removed because she has had SEVERE allergy issues since childhood. It was a great fix UNTIL she decide we needed to refresh our SCUBA certification. One of the things you have to do is remove your mask while under water and just breathe through the regulator in your mouth. I did it, no issues. She tried and she shot out of the water like a breeching whale. Apparently when you have no turbinates you have an open pipe for water to just flow through to your lungs

With the previous operation along with the polypectomy, my tubinates were reduced, my septum was un-deviated, and sinus passages in the skull were dremeled out to allow better drainage. It all worked, but the polyps came back.

I’ve had three sinus polyps surgeries so I get the prize for most surgeries in this thread! That being said,Dupixent has been an absolute life changing medication. It’s as expensive as poop but it has changed my life. No polyps for almost 4 years now. Between the copay assistance card and insurance, I don’t pay much. Reach out to me via pm and I’m more than happy to help with questions as I am a sinus polyp expert!

Also, do research on Samters Triad.