Septoplasty
Septorhinoplasty
Cosmetic rhinoplasty
Sinus surgery/FESS including Balloon Sinuplasty
Nasal Valve Surgery (functional rhinoplasty)
Turbinate Reduction
How You Will Feel
Most people will feel congested and develop a build up of mucus and some crusting in their nose for the first few weeks after sinus surgery. You may also have a sense of pressure in your face as you are healing. You will have some discomfort, but rarely is there a lot of pain. You may also feel nausea related to anaesthesia or swallowed blood from your surgery. This will improve over the first couple of days after surgery.
Please do not drive, operate machinery, sign any legal documents or drink alcohol for 48 hours after the operation.
Activity Level
Flying
Ideally you should not plan to travel for two weeks following surgery, and certainly air travel is not recommended during this period.
Effort
Try not to do any bending, lifting or straining for at least one week after surgery as these activities can cause bleeding from your nose.
Exercise
Please try to avoid participating in any rigorous activity until permitted. You are encouraged however to take a gentle walk to get some fresh air.
Nose blowing
It is best not to blow the nose for the first few days after surgery as it will be quite sore and might bleed more. It is preferable to wait until you have been instructed to start using the salt-water rinses before regularly blowing your nose, if you have been given these. Do not suppress the need to cough or sneeze, but do so with your mouth open.
Diet
You can resume your normal diet as soon as you feel you are ready. If you are feeling nauseous, limit your intake to fluids until you feel you can resume solid food. Try to maintain a balanced, healthy diet with good hydration and plenty of iron, vitamin C and other vitamins, which can boost your immune system and contribute to a smoother and faster recovery. Also try to avoid alcohol in the days after your surgery.
Bleeding
You can expect some bleeding from your nose for several days following surgery. It is very variable and can last from a few days up to two weeks. Many people do not get much bleeding at all. When bleeding occurs, you should tilt your head slightly back while sitting upright and
breathe gently through your nose. Do not snort the blood in through your nose or blow your nose, as this will promote more bleeding. We suggest holding pressure for 5-10 minutes by squeezing the lower, softer part of your nose with two fingers. This will stop most bleeding. If
bleeding persists for longer than 15 minutes, please notify the Ward. Rarely, would you need to return to the operating room to control any bleeding.
Cleaning the nose
You will tend to build up crusting and thick mucous in the nose after surgery until healing has taken place. On occasions we may need to clean some of that debris out in the clinic. At approximately three to five days after surgery, you should begin using the saline spray or solution to clean your nose. Work up to using it approximately three to four times a day while you are awake for the first two weeks and then gradually reducing to one or two times a day for
the third week. Gently sniff the water into the nose and even more gently blow it out. Do not blow too hard as this can lead to bleeding or other problems. The saline solution will also help keep your nose moist and allow it to heal faster.
Medications
You can use paracetamol or ibuprofen as required to help manage any postoperative pain; you will also likely be given some stronger pain medications (such as a combination paracetamol and codeine, or codeine on its own) which should only be used if you are still in considerable pain. If you have been prescribed antibiotics, you will need to complete them as instructed and finish the full course. Diarrhoea from antibiotic usage can occur and can lead to a serious health
problem. If diarrhoea should occur, you should discontinue the use of the antibiotic. If the diarrhoea is severe or persistent, you should contact your GP. If an external incision has been undertaken you will also be given a topical antibiotic ointment or cream to apply directly to the nasal stitches, usually twice a day for 7 days. It is likely that you will have been given a decongestant nasal spray which should be used twice a day for seven days, unless otherwise
directed.
Complications
Monitor your temperature for elevations above 38oC (100°F); look for clear watery nasal drainage; note any change in your vision problems, swelling or black and blue in the whites of your eyes; note any worsening or unbearable headache (not responding to medication), neck stiffness or excessively brisk bleeding. Report any of these findings either directly to the hospital ward from where you were discharged, or to Professor Chatrath’s office as soon as possible.
Please write down any non-urgent questions that may arise, so that we may answer them at your next visit.
Further information
Please contact:
Maria, Secretary to Professor Paul Chatrath
Tel: 020 3865 7225
Email: contact@london-ent.co.uk
Or visit the website for further information:
www.london-ent.co.uk