What turbinate reduction is
The turbinates are ridges of tissue on the side walls inside the nose that warm and moisten the air you breathe. When they stay swollen they block the airway; a turbinate reduction shrinks them so air moves freely, while keeping the lining that does that work.
It is often done together with a septoplasty or a rhinoplasty, and works entirely inside the nose: no cast and no incision on the outside.
Every procedure is performed at True Surgical Center, our AAAHC-accredited surgical center in Beverly Hills. About True Surgical Center
Who it is for
Your surgeon tells you at your consultation whether turbinate reduction fits your goals, and says so when another approach would serve you better.
Turbinate Reduction in Beverly Hills: the essentials
- Where
- True Surgical Center, the AAAHC-accredited surgical center at 150 S. Rodeo Drive, Suite 220, Beverly Hills.
- Anesthesia
- MAC (monitored anesthesia care) with IV sedation, or general anesthesia, given and watched throughout by a board-certified anesthesiologist. Someone takes you home or to your hotel and stays nearby the first day.
- Inside the nose
- No cast and no incision on the outside of your nose. If splints or light packing are used, your surgeon tells you.
- The first 2 weeks
- Your nose feels more blocked at first while the inside heals, then opens up as the swelling settles.
- Nose care
- Saline spray, 2 sprays in each nostril 5 to 6 times a day, from the day after surgery (once any packing is out). No nose blowing for the first week.
- Crusting
- Crusts and scabs inside the nose are expected for several weeks; a little bleeding is possible in the second week as they come off.
- Exercise
- Strenuous exercise, straining or bending over: typically 2 to 3 weeks, once your surgeon clears you.
- Final result
- Your breathing keeps improving over 1 to 3 months, with a check-up 3 months after surgery.
Every plan is personal, so your surgeon confirms each of these for you at your consultation. Recovery, week by week
What happens on the day
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01Before you go in
You follow the Pre-Op General Instructions, and your plan is confirmed with your surgeon on the day.
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02Reducing the turbinates
The swollen turbinate tissue is reduced from inside the nose, keeping the lining that warms and moistens the air you breathe.
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03Going home
A gauze pad taped under your nostrils collects the mild bleeding of the first 1 to 2 days. Sleep on your back with your head raised on 2 to 3 pillows, keep a humidifier near the bed, and do not blow your nose; sneeze with your mouth open.
Preparing for surgery · Out-of-town patients · Post-operative care guide
Recovery, week by week
This comes from the written instructions our patients receive before surgery, so it changes only when those instructions change.
Mild bleeding for the first 1 to 2 days and a nose that feels more blocked are expected. Saline spray from the day after surgery (once any packing is out). A nosebleed that does not stop after you sit upright, gently squeeze your nostrils and place cotton soaked in Afrin in the bleeding nostril means call us, as does a fever above 101°F, a rash, dizziness or vomiting if splints or packing are in. You see your surgeon or our physician assistant about a week after surgery.
Crusts and scabs inside the nose are expected; keep using the saline spray and do not pick at them. A little bleeding is possible in the second week as the scabs come off. Avoid hot baths, steam showers and saunas for 2 weeks. Strenuous exercise typically at 2 to 3 weeks, once your surgeon clears you.
Your breathing keeps improving as the inside of the nose heals. A check-up is advisable 3 months after surgery.
Difficulty breathing, chest pain, or bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure means call 911. For anything else that worries you, call us at (424) 363-4112, day or night. When to call us right away
Turbinate Reduction risks, and how we keep you safe
Every procedure carries risk. Your surgeon goes through the risks that apply to your plan at your consultation, and each one is written in the consent you read and sign. For turbinate reduction, the consent lists:
- Nosebleeds. Bleeding from the nose is possible, including in the first two weeks as the scabs come off.
- Breathing. Breathing that does not improve, or worsens, is possible.
- Dryness and Crusting. Dryness, crusting and scabbing inside the nose are expected for several weeks and may last longer.
- Empty Nose Feeling. After turbinate reduction, the nose may feel blocked or dry even though it is open (empty nose syndrome).
- Regrowth. The turbinates may grow back and the blockage return, needing further treatment.
- Sense of Smell. A change in the sense of smell is possible.
- Adhesions. Scar bands inside the nose (adhesions) are possible and may need to be released.
- Toxic Shock Syndrome. Toxic shock syndrome, a serious infection, is possible when nasal packing or splints are used; fever, a rash, dizziness or vomiting means call us right away.
Risks of any operation
- Bleeding. Bleeding during or after surgery is possible. A collection of blood under the skin (hematoma) may need drainage or a return to the operating room, and severe bleeding may need emergency treatment or a blood transfusion.
- Infection. Infection is possible and may need antibiotics, drainage or further surgery.
- Bruising and Swelling. Bruising and swelling are expected. They may last several weeks, and swelling or discoloration may persist longer.
- Scarring. Every incision or entry point leaves a permanent scar. A scar may be raised, widened, darker, lighter or more visible than expected, and takes at least 3 months to mature.
- Keloid or Raised Scar. Itching, thickening, pain or a growth along any incision can be the first sign of a keloid (a thick, raised scar). Let us know right away so it can be injected with a steroid to stop the keloid from forming. A keloid is more likely if you have had one before and may need further injections or treatment.
- Change in Skin Sensation. Numbness, tingling or a change in skin sensation around the treated areas is possible; it may be temporary or permanent.
- Delayed Healing. Delayed healing or separation of an incision is possible and much more likely with nicotine in any form.
- Allergic Reactions. Allergic reactions to tape, sutures, skin cleansers, latex or medications are possible.
- Blood Clots. Blood clots in the legs or lungs (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) are possible and more likely with longer surgery; your surgical team uses the clot-prevention plan chosen for you.
- Anesthesia. Risks of anesthesia and sedation are possible; the anesthesia provider reviews them with you separately.
- Pain. Pain after surgery is expected and should settle over several days; pain that lasts longer is possible.
- Result and Revision. A result that does not meet your expectations is possible: healing differs between people, no result is guaranteed, and a revision may be advised, with the fees described in your patient policy.
- Serious Complications. Serious complications, including death, are possible with any surgery or anesthesia.
- Heart and Lung Problems. Heart or lung problems, such as pneumonia or an irregular heartbeat, are possible after surgery and anesthesia.
- Medication Side Effects. Side effects of the medications used during and after surgery, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness or trouble urinating, are possible.
- Injury to Deeper Structures. Injury to deeper structures, such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles or glands, is possible.
- Persistent Sutures. A deeper stitch may work its way to the surface and need to be removed.
When to call us right away · Before & after gallery · Request a consultation
Turbinate Reduction FAQ
Surgery that shrinks the swollen tissue on the side walls inside the nose (the turbinates) so air moves freely, done from inside the nose.
No. A turbinate reduction works inside the nose only. It can be combined with a septoplasty or a rhinoplasty.
The inside of the nose swells and crusts while it heals, so it feels more blocked for the first 1 to 2 weeks, then opens up as the swelling settles. Saline spray helps.
Strenuous exercise, straining or bending over: typically 2 to 3 weeks, once your surgeon clears you.
The consent you read and sign lists these possible complications: nosebleeds, including in the first two weeks as the scabs come off; breathing that does not improve, or worsens; dryness, crusting and scabbing inside the nose; a nose that feels blocked or dry even though it is open (empty nose syndrome); the turbinates growing back with the blockage returning; a change in the sense of smell; scar bands inside the nose; and toxic shock syndrome when packing or splints are used. It also lists the risks of any operation, including bleeding, infection, blood clots and the risks of anesthesia. Your surgeon reviews each one with you.
Related Procedures
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