Dr. Tomlinson is AMAZING! I've been suffering from MAJOR sinus / nasal congestion for too many years to count. On a referral from my regular physician, I visited Dr. Tomlinson for further evaluation.
First day meeting him, I felt at ease. He explained all my options very clearly, from least invasive operations to surgery. He even gave me a chance to stay on over-counter nasal spray (Flonase), which I refused because I've tried that before. After evaluation and discussions, we both agreed to proceed with Electro Turbinate Reduction which is performed at his office. I booked an appointment and came back 2 weeks later.
On the day of treatment, I'll be honest... I WAS NERVOUS. I was reading that if the treatment goes awry I can get empty nose syndrome. I was afraid the process would hurt especially since he was going to electrically shock/burn my turbinates. I prepared for the worst.
I sat in the chair and the assistant first sprayed my nose with Afrin. That helps to clear my nasal passage. A few minutes later, the doctor came in, explained the whole process to me again, then inserted cotton swab in my nose which has local anesthetics. Then about 5 mins later he came back and gave me a many shots with a long needle inside my nose which is the REAL anesthetics for the turbinate reduction. I was so tense seeing a needle go inside my nose, that I psyched myself out more than necessary. However because of the cotton swabs earlier, I did not feel even a poke - I'm not even joking. Dr Tomlinson would repeatedly say "here comes a poke, do you feel it, are you okay?" Honestly I didn't feel anything, so I closed my eyes and started to relax. A few minutes later I was all done, I hadn't felt a pinch or poke, and my nose and face was numb :)
We waited 10 minutes and the real turbinate reduction treatment would begin. It started with Adrenalin which jumped my heart rate - it's like drinking 10 shots of espresso lol... pretty cool actually, but that rush faded pretty quickly. It's suppose to reduce the bleeding from the turbinate electro treatment. Then the procedure began and he stuck another long needle into my nose and turn on a machine. I honestly didn't feel any pain, and only towards the end of a 5 minute treatment did I feel a small pinch. But the worst part is that I can smell burning flesh eeeeew. And just like that, I was done.
Post operation: I got home and after the aesthetics wore off, I felt minor soreness & a lot of stuffiness in my nose, but nothing unbearable. I took Tylenol once in the day, and maybe a Tylenol PM to go to sleep that evening. The next day, I was just congested, but there was generally no pain. For the first week, I was asked to not blow my nose and I avoid the gym or performing heavy activities. I get it, I don't want to build up blood pressure. I followed this advise to the tee, and waited 1 week. Once I started to blow my nose though, these GIANT scab-snot got blown out... and holy crap my Nose is SOOO CLEAR!! This happened for the next 2 weeks where occasion I would need to clear my nose and large scabs would be blown out.
Today I went to a follow up visit to Dr Tomlinson and he took out the last remaining scab from my right nose - it was the size of a nickel ball lol. Everything else checked out normal and I don't need anymore follow ups.
I can't say enough that Dr Tomlinson changed my life. Such a simple and painless procedure and I should've done this 10 years ago!!! I breath unobstructed now .. I guess like a normal person?? I don't need to take Sudafed 24 anymore and since the operations, I haven't touched this medication... something I used to take almost daily. I feel like I can breath BETTER than ever even when I was on Afrin or Sudafed. Again, this is life changing!
If I can give 10-stars, I would. The procedure is that good, and this doctor is really that good. Honest opinion, no BS and not trying to fake a review. If you have similar nasal conditions, don't hesitate to visit Dr. Tomlinson. Go Now! read more