Septoplasty/Turbinoplasty Pre & Post-operative Instructions
Septoplasty/Turbinoplasty is usually performed under general anesthesia. Patients may be groggy for several hours after surgery. Some may remain sleepy for much of the rest of the day. Nausea and vomiting are occasionally seen and often improve by the evening of the surgery without intervention.
BEFORE SURGERY:
1. No aspirin, Ibuprofen, or any other anti-inflammatory medicine for one week before and one week after surgery.
2. Also avoid Vitamin E, herbal supplements, herbal teas, and red wine for one week prior to surgery.
3. If you take Coumarin or other blood thinners please discuss this with your surgeon.
4. Please do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery, but you may take any prescription medicines the morning of surgery with a sip of water.
5. Make arrangements for a ride home after surgery.
PAIN:
Instructions for Septoplasty: Before and after
- A moderate amount of pain is normal.
- A feeling of severe congestion and frequent headaches are also to be expected. Some of the discomfort is related to the surgery; most of it is related to the splints that have been placed inside your nose, which will be removed in 2-3days. Severe, “deep” or worsening pain should be reported to our office immediately as it may indicate bleeding under the surgical site.
NASAL OBSTRUCTION/CONGESTION may be present for 3-4 weeks. This will initially be caused by the splints and after the splints are removed there will be swelling due to the surgery itself.
• DO NOT BLOW YOUR NOSE for two weeks, as this can do damage to
healing tissue.
• If you remain congested or feel something in your nose, do not attempt to pull it out yourself. Call our office for an appointment, as sometimes blood clots or mucous need to be removed.
• Sleeping with your head elevated about 30 degrees by a stack of pillows or a reclining chair will help with the discomfort during the first week after surgery.
healing tissue.
• If you remain congested or feel something in your nose, do not attempt to pull it out yourself. Call our office for an appointment, as sometimes blood clots or mucous need to be removed.
• Sleeping with your head elevated about 30 degrees by a stack of pillows or a reclining chair will help with the discomfort during the first week after surgery.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
- DO NOT drive, make important decisions, use power tools, drink alcohol, tend children, or climb ladders for the first day or two after surgery. Your judgment or alertness is probably seriously impaired.
- Fainting or lightheadedness may occur. Use caution and move slowly when getting up from a bed or chair.
- Avoid strenuous activities or lifting any object heavier than 20 pounds for the next 2-3 weeks. Avoid bending at the waist as much as possible.
- Bleeding and drainage from the nose is common and you will be sent home with a gauze drip pad in place. You will probably need to use a drip pad for several days after surgery.
- Please do not blow your nose for 2 weeks.
WHEN TO CALL US
- Worsening pain/headaches
- Vision changes
- Temperature greater than 38
- Continued bleeding of bright red blood (if the nasal drip pad is soaking through more than every 15 minutes).
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Drainage of pus from the nose
- Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, lack of tears, infrequent urination, fainting if standing up)