Preparing Nasal Surgery Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, Vitamin E, herbal supplements or any medications containing these compounds for two weeks before surgery.
Before Surgery
In addition, you should avoid taking the following medications for at least fourteen days prior to surgery: aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil), naproxen (Aleve), other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), vitamin E (multivitamin is OK), gingko biloba, garlic (tablets), and ginseng.
Use lukewarm, not hot water. Avoid swimming for 6 weeks. Avoid sawdust, chemicals, and excessive dust for 4 weeks. Avoid strenuous activities, such as biking, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, for 1 week and then ease back into these activities over 2 to 3 weeks.
Orbital involvement in endoscopic sinus surgery occurs in 0.5%64 to 3% of all procedures, and represents 16% to 50% of all complications. Most common risks encountered in endoscopic sinus surgery include bleeding, infection, injury to the eye and its adnexa, cerebrospinal fluid leak, anosmia etc.
Pain: You should expect some nasal and sinus pressure and pain for the first several days after surgery. This may feel like a sinus infection or a dull ache in your sinuses. Extra-strength acetaminophen should relieve mild discomfort. Avoid aspirin and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
Other risks: Other uncommon risks of surgery include alteration of sense of smell or taste; persistence and/or worsening of sinus symptoms and facial pain; change in the resonance or quality of the voice; and swelling or bruising of the area around the eye.
Light walking and regular household activities are acceptable anytime after surgery. You may resume exercise at 50% intensity after one week and at full intensity after two weeks. You should plan on taking one week off from work and ideally have a half-day planned for your first day back.
Sleeping: Please sleep with the head on two elevated pillows to decrease nasal congestion and bleeding from the nose. If you have been prescribed a CPAP machine, do not use until your doctor says it is safe; sleep in a recliner chair with your head elevated in the meantime.
Sleeping in an elevated position is best. This reduces swelling and cuts down on post-rhinoplasty congestion. If you sleep on your side, the lower nostril will likely become plugged while you sleep, and since you can't blow your nose, this congestion can be uncomfortable.
Healthcare providers use general or local anesthesia when they do sinus surgery. General anesthesia means you're unconscious and don't feel any pain. People who have local anesthesia may feel pressure during surgery but typically don't feel any pain. They may have mild to moderate pain for about a week after surgery.
In the presence of a sinus infection, there is a small risk of developing a more complicated infection like an abscess or meningitis. All operations in the sinuses and nose carry a rare chance (about 0.1%) of creating a leak of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
For the first week following surgery you should not blow your nose. In addition, you should not bend, strain, or lift more than 20 lbs. during the first week. Light walking and regular household activities are acceptable anytime after surgery.
What to Wear. You will need to change into a hospital gown for endoscopic sinus surgery, so wear something you are able to get into and out of easily. Avoid bringing any valuables with you, including jewelry and watches.
Eat soft bland foods such as pasta, soups, yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, etc. for a few days following surgery. Avoid nuts, rice, seeds, etc. Refrain from acidic foods, for example, orange juice, tomato sauce, etc.
This surgery can take as long as four hours, or be as short as 30 minutes, depending on the degree of sinus involvement.
You may wash your face being careful to only cleanse the area surrounding the area around the nasal tape/splint. You may shower 2 days after surgery. If you shower, use a dry washcloth or plastic wrap over splint/tape. Please shower or bathe using only lukewarm water for first 2 weeks after surgery.
Fatigue: As your body heals and recovers, you will feel extremely tired. This can last for a couple weeks post-surgery, and it's important to rest as much as you need to. Mild pain: Most patients don't experience severe pain after sinus surgery, and are able to control their pain with Tylenol.
It will drain for a week or more. It is also normal and is not a sign of infection. For the first week after surgery, your head will feel stuffy.
Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine
Alcoholic beverages and caffeinated drinks, such as coffee or soda, are best avoided for several days after your procedure, if not for longer. Alcohol is a blood thinner and can increase your risk for post-surgery bleeding.
During your first week of recovery after rhinoplasty, you will spend most of your time at home so you will not need to worry about wearing a mask. When you are ready to start venturing out and will need to wear your mask, make sure the mask is made of paper or cloth and very loose over your nose.
Sneezing can cause further trauma to the fragile, yet sensitive nose and compromise the procedure's results. If possible, avoid sneezing through your nose for the first week or two during recovery to reduce pressure in your nose and airways to keep the sutures intact and minimize bleeding, swelling, and pain.
Acute postoperative vision loss is a rare but devastating complication of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). The most feared orbital complication following routine sinus surgery is orbital hematoma.
NASAL CONGESTION : A stuffy nose is normal following sinus/nasal surgery due to swelling of the tissues. This may last up to one (1) week after surgery. Nasal congestion may be alleviated by humidification of the nose with a cool mist vaporizer or humidifier.
Because surgery clears the airways and restores normal sinus and nasal drainage, decongestants and steroid nasal sprays are more effective at soothing symptoms when administered post-operatively. Also, sometimes surgery doesn't cure sinusitis, but it does make breathing easier.