Postoperative Instructions

Your postoperative visits are an indisepensable part of your sinus surgery, as they help promote healing and prevent persistent or recurrent disease. Your surgeon may recommend weekly visits after surgery until healing is nearly complete. This can take 4-6 weeks. During these visits, crusting, mucus, blood clot, persistent inflammation, and scar tissue will be removed from your sinus cavity under local anesthesia if necessary. You may wish to take pain medication prior to your post-operative visits, particularly early on, when the nose is most sensitive. If the medication is sedating, you must have someone available to drive you home.

Important Do Not′s after surgery

• Do Not blow your nose for 10 days after surgery.
• Do Not bend, lift, or strain for at least 1 week after surgery. These activities will promote bleeding from your nose. You should not plan on participating in rigorous activity until the healing is completed (4-6 weeks). Most patients can return to light activity during the second week after surgery.
• Do Not suppress the need to cough or sneeze, but cough or sneeze with your mouth open.
• Do Not use aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, etc.) or any herbal or vitamin supplements until cleared by your surgeon

Important Do′s after surgery

• Do use nasal saline irrigations twice a day and saline sprays frequently while awake until instructed otherwise by your surgeon. This helps moisten your nose, prevents large crusts from forming, and makes it easier to clean your nose during your postoperative appointments.
• Do continue to take your medications as instructed, which may include antibiotics and/or oral steroids. Antibiotics can sometimes cause upset stomach and diarrhea. This can often be prevented by taking probiotics such as acidophilus, which can be found in yogurt with active cultures or as tablets at the pharmacy. If you experience diarrhea, stop the antibiotic and notify us immediately.
• Do notify us for any of the following: temperature above 101°F, abundant clear watery nasal drainage, changes in vision, swelling of the eyes or eye pain, worsening headache, or neck stiffness.
• Do call our office for any questions or emergencies. We are here to help!

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