Postoperative Instructions

Postoperative Instructions for Turbinate Reduction and/or Septoplasty Patients

 

Postoperative Considerations

  • In most cases, patients can resume normal activity on the day after the procedure.
  • Mild discomfort is normal and is expected with any surgical procedure.
  • Take your pain medication as needed, but driving is prohibited while taking narcotic medications (PERCOCET®, NORCO®, Tylenol® #3, etc.).
  • It is very common to have significant nasal congestion and difficulty breathing through the nose for up to a week following the procedure.
  • It is expected that you will have bleeding from your nose and discolored nasal drainage for several days to a week.
  • A gauze pad will be placed under your nose after the procedure. Once you are home, you may need to change this pad frequently. If you are changing the pad more often than once an hour, you should call the clinic.

To Achieve the Best Surgical Outcome, Please Follow These Instructions:

  1. Use 4 sprays of nasal saline (e.g. Ocean®) in each nostril every four hours while you are awake. You may use it more as needed.
  2. Absolutely NO NOSE BLOWING for the first week after the procedure. If you need to sneeze, do so through your mouth.
    • After the first week, you may GENTLY blow your nose.
    • If your nose is very clogged, feel free to use nasal saline spray or a nasal irrigation (e.g.  NeilMed®) as often as you would like.
    • No CPAP use for one week after the procedure.
  3. Please hold on aspirin, aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, or other blood thinners for two weeks hours following your procedure unless you have discussed otherwise with your provider.
    • Tylenol® is safe to take (do not exceed 4,000mg per day).
  4. To minimize morning nasal congestion, it is helpful to sleep with your head elevated on several pillows for 2-3 days. If this is not comfortable or possible, you will do no harm by sleeping flat; however, you may be more congested in the morning.
  5. Refrain from any strenuous physical activity for at least one week. This will help minimize the risk of bleeding.
  6. No flying for one week after the procedure unless otherwise discussed with your provider.
  7. Call immediately if you experience any of the following:
    • Fever >100.5
    • Nose bleed that persists

Call (952) 832-5252 to speak with a triage nurse during normal business hours. There is also a physician available for after-hour emergencies.