Nasal/sinus surgery
Post operative advice
General advice
- After a general anaesthetic you may feel groggy for up to 24 hours. This can be associated with nausea and vomiting from the medication and fasting so a return to oral fluids can help and there is anti-nausea medication that you can access- It is common to have a blocked nose with facial pressure following a surgery on your septum and/or sinuseso Using regular sinus douche washes is recommended and will help relieve this- Small amounts of bleeding post a wash or bending forward/straining can occur in the first week post surgeryo Small volume bleeding can settle with ice on the back of the neck and firm pressure to the soft portion of your nose applied for 10 minutes continuously o Bleeding that is sustained more than 30 minutes requires medical attention and you should attend your nearest emergency department
Medications
- Simple pain relief may be required for the first few days after this procedure such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen- Some patients may have plastic splints placed in their nose that stay in place for a week post surgery. Dr Grigg will advise you of this and you will be given a course of antibiotics to take whilst they are in.- Using the FLO sinus wash 3-4 times a day is required for at least the first month following your surgery. Dr Grigg will advise at your post operative visit regarding ongoing use.
Activities
- Generally you will need 2 weeks off school or work; this allows you to rest and take regular pain relief. After this you can resume normal activities.- Gentle movement such as a slow walk is appropriate to do as you recover but heavy lifting and gym work should be avoided for this period.
When to seek medical advice
- Persistent temperature >38 degrees celcius. (It is common to have slight temperatures in the first five days. ) If these are ongoing or do not resolve with paracetamol then seek medical advice- Bleeding >1 tbsp- Drowsiness post pain relief- Increasing pain despite medications provided- Concerns regarding dehydration or poor oral intake
Follow-up
- Dr Grigg will arrange to see you after your operation. If you do not receive this at time of booking, please contact the rooms at your earliest convenience. - If you have splints in your nose then she will see you one week post your surgery.- For all other patients you will be seen between two and three weeks post operatively
If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact the rooms on (07) 4632 3179 during business hours or if it is an emergency then attend your nearest emergency department.