Nasal and Sinus Surgery Post-Op Care

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS
POST-OP NASAL AND SINUS SURGERY

  1. Call the office and make an appointment for one week after surgery.
  2. If nasal packing is present an appointment for removal may be necessary a few days following the surgery or as recommend by your physician.
  3. After the packing has been removed, start using a saline wash (i.e. Netti pot, Neil Med, Ayr , etc.) at least four times a day. Before the packing is removed you may use nasal spray to help keep nose lubricated.
  4. Do NOT blow your nose. If necessary, suck the mucous back and spit it out. After one week, you may blow your nose GENTLY. If you sneeze, do so with your mouth open.
  5. For pain, use Tylenol (acetaminophen) or the prescription pain medicine prescribed by the physician. DO NOT USE ASPIRIN OR IBUPROFEN UNLESS INSTRUCTED BY THE PHYSICIAN’S OFFICE TO DO SO. It can thin your blood and cause excessive bleeding. You may use any oral decongestant medications that you relied on before surgery to help relieve the post surgical swelling inside the nose. If antibiotics are necessary, a prescription will be provided when you leave the surgery facility.
  6. No heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 2 weeks. After that, you may resume light activity as tolerated.
  7. Bloody drainage is expected during the first several days. If you have bright red bleeding, compress all of the soft part of the nostrils for 10 minutes. If this does not stop the bleeding, then clear any blood from the nose and spray with Afrin spray. This may be repeated in 5 to 10 minutes. A prescription is not required for Afrin.
  8. A vaporizer will decrease the dryness of your throat and will make you more comfortable, but it is not absolutely required.
  9. Resume your previous diet if upper lip soreness and swelling permits.
  10. Sleep with the head elevated on several pillows or sleep in a recliner to prevent worsening of swelling and to allow surgical swelling to decrease more rapidly. If you have had a broken nose repaired, do not wear glasses until released by your physician. If you must wear glasses, tape them to your forehead so that they do not put pressure on your nose. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or wear a brimmed hat to minimize exposure for 3 weeks.
  11. Low grade temperature in the first few days is common. If a fever of 101° orally develops and persists for more than 12 hours, then call our office for an appointment.