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POST OP INSTRUCTIONS: SINUS SURGERY,
SEPTOPLASTY AND RHINOPLASTY
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POSTOPERATIVE
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SINUS SURGERY / SEPTOPLASTY
/ RHINOPLASTY
The following guidelines should help during
the first week after surgery. Although
individual responses vary widely following
any operation, you (or your child) can
expect to return to normal in about ten
days.
DO NOT BLOW YOUR NOSE!!
NASAL DISCHARGE: This usually occurs for
several days, and may be bloody at first,
later changing to mucus. Any profuse bright
red bleeding that persists for more than 24
to 48 hours should be reported. Change your
nasal drip pad as needed. After surgery,
please avoid nose blowing for at lease one
week. If you are soaking through the drip
pad more frequently than every fifteen
minutes, please notify the office.
NASAL CONGESTION: A stuffy nose is normal
following sinus/nasal surgery due to
swelling of the tissues. This may last up to
one week after surgery. Nasal congestion may
be alleviated by humidification of the nose
with a cool mist vaporizer or humidifier.
Your physician may insert a special packing
in the nose after surgery. This will add to
your general stuffiness. The packing will be
removed two to three days after surgery. If
you also had septoplasty surgery, your
physician placed intranasal splints, which
will contribute to your “stuffiness”. If you
sneeze or cough, do so with you mouth open.
Salt-water nasal rinses 8-10 times per day
in each nostril can be quite helpful to help
moisten the nose and clear debris. Also, if
you can take decongestants, these will help.
They can be either in a spray (Afrin) or
pill form (Sudafed).
ACTIVITY: Rest at home for at least one day,
then, gradually increase your activity.
Avoid any strenuous activity or heavy
lifting for two weeks. Rest with your head
elevated, to keep swelling to a minimum.
Typically, you can return to work after your
first postoperative visit.
DIET: After discharge from the hospital or
surgery center, adequate fluids are
essential and may be given in almost any
form such as water, soda, juice, jello or
popsicles. Encourage fluids for at least 10
days. Soft foods are tolerated best at first
and should be encouraged. Highly seasoned or
very scratchy food should be avoided. Normal
diet can be advanced as tolerated.
PAIN: Pain and discomfort is variable after
surgery. Medication may be prescribed to
help control pain, take as directed. You may
also use Tylenol or Acetaminophen.
FEVER: Very slight elevations of temperature
during the first few days are usual. If the
temperature above 101.5 degrees, please
contact us.
VOMITING: Nausea and vomiting may occur
following anesthesia and usually clears
after the first day. If persistent nausea
and vomiting occurs after the first day at
home, please contact us.
MEDICATIONS: Medication may be prescribed to
help control pain, take as directed. You may
also use Tylenol or Acetaminophen. If you
have been prescribed an antibiotic take as
directed. You may resume any other
medications that you use regularly. If
taking pain medications, avoid drinking
alcohol or other dangerous situations.
DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN OR ASPIRIN CONTAINING
MEDICATIONS FOR AT LEAST 3 WEEKS.
FOLLOW-UP VISIT TO THE OFFICE: If a
postoperative appointment has not been made
for you, please call the office the day
after surgery to arrange an appointment
within one to two weeks following the
surgery.
PROBLEMS AND QUESTIONS: For any problems
that arise, or to ask any questions, please
call the office during regular business
hours. Drs. Berghash, Lanza and Zeiders are on
call after hours and weekends for
emergencies.
OTHER HELPFUL HINTS:
1. Sleeping with your head raised on several
pillows will make you more comfortable.
2. A humidifier in your bedroom may moisten
the air and make breathing easier.
3. Keep water at your bedside, and drink
water frequently.
4. Use Vaseline or lip moisturizer to
prevent dry lips.
5. Have someone drive you to your initial
postoperative appointment.
The surgical procedure is designed to help
eradicate problems of the paranasal sinuses,
and to help you breath better through your
nose. It may take between six and eight
weeks for full recovery. Please be patient.
PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR PHYSICIAN FOR ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING:
1. Visual problems consisting of loss of
vision, double vision, or the bulging of one
or both eyes.
2. Neck stiffness with fever and headache.
3. Brisk bleeding from the nose or excessive
drowsiness and confusion. |
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