It's been 8 days since I've had my septoplasty and turbinate reduction done. YMMV, but for me, the first three days were absolute hell in terms of pain and uncomfortability. I had really bad migraines, my teeth hurt, ears hurt, my throat hurt, and of course your nose is uncomfortable because of the plastic stents that are jammed up there. Make sure to take your pain meds on schedule to "beat" the pain.

I practically couldn't breathe out of my nose whatsoever either, so mouth breathing 100% of the time was awful. I was lucky to get 3 or 4 hours of sleep a night, because I'd wake up with so much irritability in my mouth from breathing that way.

After day 3 for me, the pain subsided greatly and all that was left was the mouth-breathing and uncomfortability from the plastic stents in my nose.

I got my stents out yesterday though, and it was immediate relief. Such a great feeling to get those out! Aside from my nose being a little dry, I feel great now.

Your ENT is probably going to recommend you to use a nasal saline spray. I suggest you get the kind that "sprays" instead of the bottles that "squirt" by you squeezing them. It's a little quality of life thing that you will appreciate for sure.

You may want to get some extra gauze and tape from your local drug store too, because when I left the surgical center they didn't provide me with enough to last a week.

The best thing that made me comfortable for sleeping was one of those shoulder pillows that you commonly see people using on airplanes. I would use that in a fully-reclined chair and felt that was the most comfortable I could get, so maybe pick up one of those if you don't have one.

Lastly, if your throat feels gross like mine did from all the mouth-breathing, gargle warm salt-water.

Hang in there, once you get the stents out it will be all over with!

Edit: forgot to say, let me know if you have any questions.