• Septoplasty
• Rhinoplasty
• Sinus Surgery
• Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

This instruction sheet is designed to help in your care following nasal or sinus surgery, and to answer many of the commonly asked questions. Please read it carefully.

Should you find it necessary to call our office following surgery, one of our nurses should be able to answer most of your questions. If not, your doctor will be consulted.

Postoperative visits are scheduled with your personal doctor whenever possible. It may be necessary at times, however, to ask you to see one of the other specialists in our group if your doctor is not available.

Before Leaving The Hospital:

1. If you have not already been given a postoperative appointment, ask your doctor regarding this.

2. Check with the hospital nurse to obtain any medication your doctor may have ordered. Take the medication at home as directed on the bottle.

Precautions

1. DO NOT blow your nose until given permission by your doctor. Any accumulated secretion can be allowed to drain into the nasal dressing below your nose or may be drawn to the back of your throat and expectorated.

2. DO NOT engage in strenuous activity, lifting or exercise until given permission by your doctor.

3. DO NOT engage in situations where your nose could be bumped.

4. DO NOT eat hot or spicy foods.

5. DO NOT allow water on your nose if you have an external cast or dressing.

6. For several days after surgery, keep your head elevated when you lie down. This can decrease swelling and pain.

7. Call your doctor if you have double or decreased vision or signs of infection such as green nasal drainage, fever, increasing pain, unrelieved headaches, neck stiffness, decreasing level of consciousness or skin rash.

Pain

Mild to moderate pain is not unusual after surgery for the first one to two weeks. If the pain increases after the first few days of surgery, this could be a sign of infection and you should call our office.

Drainage

Bloody, thick, whitish or yellow drainage is to be expected for at least the fist week after surgery. Change the dressing under your nose as often as necessary. If you have excessive bleeding, you should call our office or go to the Emergency Room.

Swelling

If you had a rhinoplasty (surgery to change the shape of your external nose), swelling and discoloration around the eyes, cheeks and forehead is to be expected.

Postoperative Cleaning

After functional endoscopic sinus surgery, frequent cleanings in the office to clean out old blood crusts and mucous are necessary to help promote better healing. You may be instructed by your doctor to irrigate or spray your nose with normal saline (salt water). This can be purchased at most pharmacies or you can make your own by adding 1 teaspoon of table salt to 1 quart of tap water.

If you have any questions or problems, please call our office at (408) 972-6580. If after hours, call (408) 362-4791 or the emergency room at (408) 972-7777.