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.
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.
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.
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.
Raise your head with three or four pillows. This can reduce swelling. Try to sleep on your back during the month after surgery. You can also sleep in a reclining chair.
No strenuous activity for one week after surgery. This includes bending over to pick things up (OK to bend at the knees, with your head up), straining, or lifting more than 20 lbs. Light walking and normal household activities are acceptable immediately after surgery.
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.
It is quite common to feel fatigued after surgery, regardless of whether it was a minor or major procedure. This is because your body expends a lot of energy afterward trying to heal. There is an immune response that kicks in, which can be physically draining as well.
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.
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.
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.
Do not lie flat. Raise your head with two or three pillows. This can reduce swelling. Try to sleep on your back for the month after surgery.
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.
Following a functional endoscopic surgery, patients can breathe easier and will notice significantly reduced sinusitis symptoms. A procedure involving the insertion of a tiny inflatable balloon into the sinus passages balloon sinuplasty widens nasal airways to improve breathing as well.
Swelling and Bruising.
Tissue injury, whether accidental or intentional (e.g. surgery), is followed by localized swelling. After surgery, swelling increases progressively, reaching its peak by the third day. It is generally worse when you first arise in the morning and decreases throughout the day.
For the first week after surgery, your head will feel stuffy. This is because you will have swelling of the mucous membranes of your nose. This is normal and expected. The stuffiness will gradually decrease over the next few weeks, so please be patient.
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.
In general, sinus surgeries aren't serious surgeries with significant complications.
The incidence of serious complications of endoscopic sinus surgery reportedly reaches 0.5%. Orbital injuries can range from eye pressure, pain, retrobulbar hemorrhage, and compromised extraocular muscle movement with sequential binocular diplopia to blindness.
This can be due to several reasons, including obstruction caused by issues other than the deviated septum that was repaired, individual factors that may cause tissue and cartilage to reshape over time, or problems with the initial procedure.
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.
Blood clots may be noted for up to 2 weeks after packs are removed. At the surgery center you will be given gauze pads (dripper pads) and a holder to catch and absorb this drainage. Change your gauze pad as needed. Drainage slows over the first few days and may stop completely.
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.
This surgery can take as long as four hours, or be as short as 30 minutes, depending on the degree of sinus involvement.