Patient Education

Endoscopic

Sinus Surgery

Post Operative Instructions

• WARNING! Do not blow your nose until given permission by your surgeon! (Typically 7-10 days following surgery.) Avoid sneezing, but if you must, sneeze with your mouth open.

• NO SMOKE! Smoking, smokeless tobacco products, and second-hand smoke increase your chances of bleeding and infection following your surgery.

• CARE & MAINTENANCE:
• Irrigation of nose: Do not irrigate your nasal passages until given specific instructions by your surgeon at your first office visit after the surgery. Irrigating too soon may cause bleeding and hinder the natural clotting process.
• Dressings: A small dressing (“drip-pad”) should be placed under your nose for drainage, as needed. Change the pad when it becomes saturated, and continue to use one as long as drainage is present.
• Cold Compress: You may use a cold compress on your cheek and forehead for 1-2 days following surgery, to reduce discomfort.
• Odor: There may be a foul odor for up to 10 days following your surgery. This is normal, and will be reduced once nasal irrigation begins.
• Headaches: Some patients experience headaches after this surgery. If you have headaches, follow the instructions that came with the post-op pain medications you received.

• ROUTINE:

• 1st Day Home: Rest at home for the first 24 hours.
• Sleeping & Resting: Keep your head elevated while reclining and/or sleeping. A wedge reading pillow or recliner is ideal.
• NO: Heavy lifting (over 10 lbs.) for at least one week.
• NO: Bending over for one week following surgery.
• NO: Vigorous activity for 10-14 days following surgery.

• ACCEPTABLE MEDICATIONS:

• Tylenol: May be taken 2 hours after taking a dose of pain medication to help with pain relief.
• Phenergan: If you have been given a prescription for Phenergan to reduce nausea, it may be taken with your pain medication.
  
• UNACCEPTABLE MEDICATIONS: (These can cause bleeding; Avoid for 7 days after surgery)

• Do not take the following over-the-counter drugs: Aspirin, Ibuprophen, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Goody’s Powders, or Vitamin E.
• Do not take the following herbal products: Ginger, Fever Few, Garlic, Gingko Biloba, or White Bark.
  
• TRAVEL: Do not drive or fly until you are finished with your pain medication. You may be a passenger for local travel when you are comfortable enough to do so.

Our office will call you 2-3 days after your surgery to schedule follow-up appointments. The number of appointments varies with the surgery. They will be scheduled as needed. Do not miss your follow-up appointments. They are vital in monitoring your progress and recovery.

• Bleeding: If you experience prolonged, worsened, or severe nasal bleeding, please contact your surgeon immediately.
• Fever: If you have a fever over 101.
• Eyes: You experience increasing eye pain and/or changes in vision.
• Pain: If pain increases despite pain medication.
• Swelling: If you have redness or swelling around your eyes or nose.