Sinus Surgery (cont.)

General Instructions and Follow-up Care

In most situations, packs will have been placed in your nose to control postoperative bleeding. Your doctor will tell you when you are expected to return to the office to have these removed. You need to call the office to schedule this postoperative appointment. Please arrange for someone to drive you to and from the office for this first visit. You should eat a light meal before coming, and avoid taking excessive pain medications. You will also have several subsequent office visits to assess healing, remove crusts, and insure a speedy recovery. Your nose will probably be tender after surgery and so your nose will be sprayed with a special numbing medication before removing crusts.

After the packing has been removed, you may breathe through your nose, but do not blow or sneeze through it for 7-10 days. If you must sneeze, open your mouth. Expect some light blood- tinged drainage from the nose for several days. If bleeding becomes excessive, apply ice and rest quietly with head elevated while holding your nose. If bleeding continues, call the doctor's office.

One of the most important things you can do after surgery is nasal irrigation. Immediately after the nasal packs are removed you should use a saline nasal spray such as "Ocean Spray" several times per day to prevent crusts from forming in your nose. Your doctor will also advise you to start using a water pick irrigator during the first week of surgery. You are to continue using the water pick irrigator until told to discontinue its use by your doctor. Many patients use it indefinitely or when they have an upper respiratory infection. Failure to irrigate will likely cause the surgery to fail!!

You may go back to work or school only when your doctor says you can. Rest for the first week following surgery. Avoid excessive talking, smiling, hard chewing, strenuous activities, lifting heavy objects, bumping your nose, and bending over. Try not to rest your glasses on the bridge of your nose until soreness and swelling subside. You may wear your contact lenses once eye swelling and any irritation have resolved. Alcohol and tobacco should be avoided because they may prolong swelling and healing. Smoke, dust, and fumes may irritate your nose and cause an infection. We discourage facial tanning for 6 months after surgery. If you must be in the sun, you should use a number 15 or greater sun block. You may use your usual make-up anytime after surgery.

Lubricate your nostrils, as instructed, with a Q-tip and Vaseline to soften hardened crusts. Peroxide helps to loosen crusts. After several days, you may notice a few of the absorbable sutures. Be gentle while brushing your upper teeth. They will often be tender for several weeks, and you may have some numbness of the teeth and palate for several months.

After 3 weeks, if you are not having problems with bleeding, you may resume exercise and swimming, except for diving, which can be resumed after two months. You should plan to remain in the general area of your surgery for 3 weeks to allow for postoperative care and in case you have bleeding.

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