|
Septoplasty
We want you to have an uneventful recovery from your nasal surgery. You should familiarize yourself with the following information prior to surgery and refer to it often in the weeks immediately following your procedure. These instructions will help to make you comfortable and promote rapid healing.
What you should expect following surgery…
- Healing The majority of the healing in your nose will take place over the course of 4-6 weeks. In patients with allergies or over-reactive nasal and sinus lining, the process can take much longer. During this time, you will want to keep your nose out of dusty or smoky environments. This includes tobacco smoke.
- Medications Following your surgery you will receive prescriptions for a number of medications. Typically these include pain medicine and antibiotics. It is essential that the prescriptions be filled promptly and the medications taken as directed.
Crusting of blood and mucus can slow the healing process. In order to keep your nose moist and prevent the crusting, you should use saline (salt-water) nasal spray for at least two weeks following surgery. These sprays can be purchased “over the counter” at your pharmacy. For the first five days following surgery, you should use the spray at least once an hour while you are awake. Thereafter, you can reduce use to four or five times a day. However, you cannot “over-do it” with the salt water, so use it more frequently if you wish.
- Fatigue Fatigue for two or three days following the surgery is common. Patients who have general anesthesia often find the fatigue can hang on for an extra day or two. You will want to take it easy for a few days following surgery. You should also avoid strenuous physical activity for a few days. Moderate activity (like going for a walk) is acceptable.
- Work Most individuals return to work within 4-7 days following surgery. Some return earlier, some later. Plan to be out for a week and return as soon as you feel up to it.
- Travel Many of our patients come from some distance. We prefer you stay in the local area overnight following the surgery. If necessary, you may travel by air after the surgery.
- Post-operative visits Depending on the extent of your septal surgery, expect to see your doctor within the first three weeks after surgery and, if necessary, another visit 4 to 6 weeks later.
A few things to be aware of…
- Bleeding Oozing from the nose is common for 24-48 hours following surgery. You should probably put an old pillow case on your pillow or put a towel over it. Additionally, you may want to sleep with your head elevated on an extra pillow to minimize the oozing. After a couple of days, the discharge from your nose may turn maroon or dark brown. This change is due to old blood and is normal. It does not mean that the nose or sinuses are infected.
Occasionally, persistent bleeding from the nose can develop. If this occurs, sit upright and breathe through your nose for 5-10 minutes. This should relieve most bleeding. If it does not, or if the bleeding is heavy, contact our office at the numbers below.
- Nausea Nausea and even vomiting following general anesthesia are not uncommon. They can also occur after local anesthesia, but less often. The nausea usually fades after about 12-24 hours. Try to sip liquids to avoid dehydration during these periods. If the nausea is severe notify our office.
- Crusting During septal surgery, incisions are made inside the nose. Like incisions on the external skin, scabs will form as these heal. Mucus may also accumulate on these “crusts” and block breathing through your nose. Do not attempt to remove these, but instead continue to use the saltwater nasal spray to soften the crusts. If the problem is severe, your physician may prescribe other treatments.
- Pain Some discomfort following the procedure is to be expected but usually is not especially severe. Use the pain medicine as needed. As soon as you feel ready, try to switch to an over the counter pain medicine like extra-strength Tylenol®. For the first two to three weeks after surgery, do not use medications which contain aspirin, ibuprofen, or other “anti-inflammatory” compounds, as these promote bleeding.
Sometimes after anesthesia, your muscles may ache all over like you have lifted weights or strained muscles, particularly in the first day or two after surgery. Take Tylenol® for this and stretch your muscles - it will subside.
A couple of “don’ts”…
- Nose blowing You may sniff (even vigorously) if you feel you need to clear your nose. Realize that the interior of the nose will be swollen for 4-7 days and may not clear - even with the most forceful attempts. Blowing your nose too early in the healing process can cause bleeding. You may begin to blow your nose lightly 5 days after surgery.
- Bending, lifting, straining Placing your head below your waist (e.g., to tie your shoes), lifting anything over 10 pounds (including children) and straining will all increase the risk of bleeding. You should avoid these activities for one full week following surgery.
Promptly report the following symptoms to your doctor…
- Fever (100.6º or higher)
- Any symptom of infection: marked swelling of the tip of the nose, or redness with increasing tenderness at the tip of the nose
- Severe headache accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or unusual change in your behavior.
- New rashes
- Swelling or bruising around the eyes
How to get in touch with us…
Phone: (208) 777-1320. A physician is available 24 hours per day via this number.
|
