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.
You will probably be able to return to work or school in about 1 week and to your normal routine in about 3 weeks. But this varies with your job and the extent of your surgery. Most people feel normal in 1 to 2 months. You will have to visit your doctor regularly for 3 to 4 months after your surgery.
You may have some swelling of your nose, upper lip, or cheeks, or around your eyes. Your nose may be sore and will bleed. You may feel "stuffed up" like you have a bad head cold. This will last for several days after surgery.
You will have to sleep with your head elevated for 24-48 hours after surgery to help the bleeding slow down and help the swelling resolve.
Nasal congestion, fullness, facial pain, headache, and disrupted sleep are normal for the first week and are an expected part of the healing process. This will improve after the first office visit about one week following surgery. Driving: Do not drive within 24 hours of receiving anesthesia.
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.
You may have some bruises around your nose and eyes. Your nose may be sore and will bleed. This may last for several days after surgery. The tip of your nose and your upper lip and gums may be numb.
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.
Instead, patients may find relief from rhinoplasty congestion by using a gentle saline spray. On average, patients can expect breathing through the nose after rhinoplasty to feel more comfortable after 1 – 3 weeks, though some patients may have a feeling of nasal congestion for several months.
Outcome. The results after FESS are good, with most studies reporting an 80 to 90 percent rate of success.
Your doctor might advise you to have surgery if: You have many sinus infections that need treatment with antibiotics. Home treatment doesn't stop your pain and other symptoms. You've taken medicines and done home treatment for 4 to 6 weeks, and tests show that you have a sinus problem that surgery can fix.
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.
LOSING OR BALANCING YOUR WEIGHT THROUGH SEPTUM CORRECTION
In addition, you may also see a decrease in your weight as the swelling of tissues goes down due to the potential inflammation caused by your deviated septum.
Sinus issues can be persistent. As such, it is very common for them to return – even after surgical intervention.
Is sinus surgery very painful? 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.
AFTER SURGERY
As the local anesthetic wears off, there may be a burning sensation in your nose. It is not uncommon for the roof of your mouth or your upper teeth to feel sore following surgery. This may last for two weeks.
Each year about 250,000 – 300,000 people have sinus surgery performed to treat nose and sinus complaints.
Regardless of the reason, a rhinoplasty will always result in a change in the appearance of the nose.
No. Septoplasty itself doesn't change the shape of your nose. But, if you want to change the shape of your nose in addition to correcting your deviated septum, your surgeon may be able to combine septoplasty with rhinoplasty. Ask your healthcare provider about your treatment options.
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.
Sinus rinse nasal wash – A nasal wash of the nose and sinuses with saline (salt solution) is a very important part of the postoperative care for most patients. The irrigations should be started on the first day after surgery. They are done twice a day unless instructed differently.
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.
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.