Sinus Surgery Post-Operative Guidelines

Instructions

• Have someone drive you home after surgery and help you at home for 1-2 days.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Follow balanced diet.
• Decreased activity may promote constipation, so you may want to add more raw fruit to your diet, and be sure to increase fluid intake.
• Take pain medication as prescribed. Do not take aspirin or any products containing aspirin.
• Take any antibiotics as instructed. It helps to eat cultured yogurt or over the counter Acidophilus tablets while on antibiotics to minimize intestinal side effects.
• You may be prescribed steroid tablets to minimize post op swelling. If so, take them as instructed on the packet. Note that steroids can make you feel anxious; this is a common side effect.
• Do not drink alcohol when taking pain medications.
• Even when not taking pain medications, no alcohol for 2 weeks.
• If you are taking vitamins with iron, resume these as tolerated.
• Do not smoke, as smoking delays healing and increases the risk of complications

What To Expect

• Your nose will have scant bleeding for up to 2 days.
• Minimal postoperative pain.
• Your nose may ache and you may have a dull headache.
• Occasionally, temporary numbness of the upper front teeth, when septoplasty is performed.
• For the first 7 to 14 days you may experience some discomfort with breathing.
• The final breathing results will be manifest in 6 to 8 weeks.

Activities

• Stay in bed with your head elevated (except for going to the bathroom) for the first afternoon and night.
• On the first post-operative day, you can begin walking more; this helps to reduce swelling and lowers the chance of blood clots.
• Do not drive until you are no longer taking any pain medications (narcotics).
• You can return to work in 5 days.
• Avoid strenuous activities or any activity that increases your blood pressure for one week.

Incision Care

• There will be no skin incisions for sinus surgery.
• You may shower on the first post op day.
• Use over the counter Saline nose sprays: 4 puffs each nostril, 4 times a day.
• Avoid blowing your nose for 1 week.

Appearance

• Typically, no change in nasal appearance, unless rhinoplasty in performed.

Follow-Up Care

• In one week.

When To Call

• If you have severe or increased pain not relieved by medication.
• If you have any side effects to medications; such as, rash, nausea, headache, vomiting.
• If you have an oral temperature over 100.4 degrees.
• If you have any yellowish or greenish drainage from the incisions or notice a foul odor.
• If you have bleeding from the incisions that is difficult to control with light pressure.
• If you have loss of feeling or motion.
• If you have a nosebleed or any unusual symptoms.
• If you have any visual problems.
• If you have any questions or concerns may reach Dr. Khosh at 212-339-9988.