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PRIOR TO SURGERY:
- Avoid all aspirin, salicylates, salicylamide, and ibuprofen-containing products for 2 weeks prior and 1 week after surgery (see separate list). Tylenol is an acceptable alternative.
- If you smoke, you must stop at least 1 week prior to surgery and should not restart for at least 1 week after surgery.
- Schedule pre-op appointment with our office 1 - 2 weeks prior to surgery.
- Fill all prescriptions for post-surgery medications prior to the day of surgery.
- Pre-operative testing (i.e., labs, EKG, chest x-ray) should be completed at least 3 days prior to surgery, and the results should be faxed to our office.
- You may take a sleeping pill or anti-anxiety medication the night before surgery if you desire.
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
- You will need to arrive one hour prior to your surgery time.
- You will be contacted by the surgical facility 1 – 2 days prior to surgery regarding specific instructions and possible alterations to the instructions above.
THE DAY OF SURGERY:
- Wear a buttoned or zippered shirt, loose fitting pants, and flat shoes. Do not wear a pullover top or pantyhose.
- Do not wear contact lenses.
- Do not wear any jewelry.
- Remove all make-up and nail polish.
- The operating room time (including time to go to sleep, time to set up, time for surgery, time to wake up, and time to transport) is approximately 2 - 4 hours (times may vary depending on the exact nature of the surgery).
AFTER SURGERY:
- Recovery room time will vary from 1- 3 hours depending on the patient.
- Pain medication will be given in the recovery room, and you will be instructed when the next dose may be given at home. Do not take pain medication on an empty stomach (will cause nausea). Use of narcotic pain medication can lead to constipation and may require the use of stool softeners.
- Antibiotics should be started the evening following surgery.
- Anti-inflammatories / steroids should be continued the day after surgery.
- Diet: avoid hot and spicy foods for 5 days. Be sure to maintain hydration with adequate liquid intake.
- Keep your head elevated as much as possible for the first three days. Sleep with your head elevated on pillows.
- Place ice packs (frozen peas, crushed ice in zip lock, etc.) on your nose, eyes and cheeks as much as possible for the first three days.
- Change the gauze pad under the nose as needed depending on drainage. You may remove it and keep it off when the drainage subsides.
- You may begin irrigating your nose with a bulb syringe and distilled water 2 – 4 times/day starting the day after surgery. This will wash out debris from inside the nose and help relieve congestion.
- Avoid all heavy physical activity / exercise / straining / lifting for 2 weeks following surgery. Light exercise may be started in the third week.
- Most patients can return to school or work in 7 – 10 days.
- You will require your first follow-up visit one week after surgery. This visit should be scheduled prior to your surgery. During this visit, internal stents may be removed and the inside of the nose will be cleaned. A topical numbing spray will be applied to minimize discomfort. However, you may wish to take your pain medicine prior to this visit.
HEALING ISSUES:
You may experience any of the following after this type of surgery:
- Bloody mucus drainage. This will usually resolve in 3 – 7 days.
- Nasal congestion / blockage. Stents, internal swelling, mucus crusting / scabs, and dried blood will all lead to congestion. This can last up to 2 – 3 weeks. Irrigating the inside of the nose with distilled water can help alleviate this condition.
- Decreased smell and taste. This is common following surgery due to the internal nasal swelling and congestion. It will usually improve as the congestion subsides.
- Fever. Many patients will have a fever during the first week after surgery. This is due to the body's inflammatory response and is a normal part of healing.
- Soreness in shoulders, elbows, knees, ankles, back of head. This often happens because of prolonged pressure on these areas during surgery. We pad these areas very well, but even this does not completely eliminate the postoperative soreness that some patients experience. This will usually resolve in 2 – 3 days.
- Numbness / tingling of roof of mouth or front teeth. This is common after nasal surgery due to swelling around the nerves that go to these areas. It will resolve with time.