Hi J.,
I had the surgery over 15 years ago. I could not breathe very well through one side of my nose because of the deviated septum, which caused a lot of sinus infections, pain, and just not being able to breathe well. For me, the recovery was rough, mostly because I was young and no one told me what the recovery was going to be.
If you want the details, read on, otherwise, skip this entire paragraph. They put me to sleep, and when I woke up, my nose was packed with gauze and there was a metal brace across the bridge of my nose, as well as plastic "splints" on either side of my septum. I was in pain, but they gave me medication, and I remember being in bed for quite some time (then at home). The swelling hurt, and it was extremely difficult to chew and swallow food because no air could get in through the gauze (hold your nose tight and try to swallow food for a few minutes to see what it feels like). At the first follow-up visit, they pulled out the gauze, which I thought was only in my nose, turned out to be packed all the way up my nasal cavity (to prevent blood from collecting up there) - I almost passed out from the pain. The second follow up visit they put a small vaccum up your nostrils to remove any <gross alert> scabbing (which also hurt because it was pulling out nose hairs). The plastic splints stayed in for another few days (then removed). Then I had to wear the metal brace across my nose for several weeks (to keep the healing nose protected and safe). I had minimal bruising under my eyes.
THAT SAID, after I was completely healed from the surgery, I could breathe! My sinus headaches were cut by 90%. So for me, it worked (until my niece accidentally kicked me in the nose and deviated the septum again). For the few years that my septum was straight, it was worth it. THAT SAID, at this point in my life, knowing what it involved, I do not plan on doing it again.
The best of luck to you. Be sure to get a second opinion!!!! It's the only nose you've got!!!
M.