Post-Op Instructions for
Nasal & Sinus Surgery
1. Pain: expect some mild to moderate pain after surgery. Use the prescribed pain medicine, which may be changed to Tylenol as pain subsides (24-72 hours).
2. Diet:Patients may resume a regular diet as soon as they recover from anesthesia. Some sore throat may be present from the breathing tube being inserted during surgery.
3.Fever:Call for fever in excess of 102 degrees that does not respond to Tylenol. The main reason for fever after surgery is failure to clear secretions from the lungs due to inactivity.
4. Strenuous Activities:should be avoided for 2 weeks. This especially includes bending, lifting, or any activity that raises the blood pressure.
5. Blowing the Nose: Do not blow the nose forcefully for 2 weeks. This may encourage bleeding.
6. Do Not Smoke: or be exposed to second hand smoke for 2 weeks. Smoke is highly irritating to healing nasal and sinus tissue.
7. Sleep: Keep the head elevated while reclining and sleeping for 24-48 hours.
8. Sinus & Nasal Medications:including sprays, should be resumed 24 hours after surgery.
9. Ice Bag:apply lightweight icebag to the bridge of the nose and forehead intermittently for the first 24 hours.
10. Don't Take: Aspirin, aspirin containing products, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, etc), naproxen (Aleve) or blood thinning medications for at least 2 weeks following surgery.
11.Bleeding:if more than the expected amount of bleeding occurs, use a decongestant nasal spray. If bleeding is heavy, call the office.
12. Drip Pad:change the drip pad under the nose as needed. This pad may be discontinued at your discretion – its purpose is to protect clothing, furniture, etc from drippage.
13. Nausea:nausea medication may be used 30-45 minutes prior to pain medicine to avoid the nausea side effect that some patients experience with narcotics.
14. Saline Rinse:Begin tomorrow in the AM and continue 4-6 times daily until follow up.
15. Splints:if splints are used, they will need to be removed in 7-10 days by a nurse in the office.
17. Contact Sports:or other possibilities of nasal trauma should be avoided for at least 2 weeks. Expect the nose to be sore to touch for several weeks
SALINE RINSE INSTRUCTIONS:
- Mix together one quart of warm, sterile water with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of kosher, canning or pickling salt. Add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda. Adjust the salt concentration up or down to eliminate burning – a salt solution balanced to the salt concentration of your nose will not burn.
- Using a bulb syringe, irrigator or Nettie pot, sniff the saline into the nose while leaning over the sink. Allow the saline to run out of the nose and mouth.
- Repeat on the opposite side.
- Use 2-3 ounces at a time. Rinse 4-6 times per day or more (do 12 if you can!)
- Continue until your follow up visit