Diplomate, American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
Diplomate, American Board Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Adult and Pediatric ENT – Facial Plastic Surgery – Hearing and Balance – Snoring and Sleep Apnea

200A Jones Rd – Falmouth, MA 02540 – 508.540.0900 – www.uppercapeENT.com

---

Instructions Following Nasal Surgery

Keep in mind that the beneficial effects of surgery may not be realized for several weeks afterwards.

What to expect:

1.  If there is no packing:

• You will have some blood and mucus draining from your nose and down your throat.
  
• Your nose will get very stuffy after all the medications wear off. You can use Afrin® nasal spray ONCE DAILY ONLY to help you get to sleep.
  
• It will take several days to two weeks before you will be noticing the improvement from your surgery.
  

2. If there is packing:

• You will be breathing through your mouth until it comes out.
  
• It will be easier to sleep sitting up.
  
• The pack will be removed in the office on ____________.
  

What you can do to promote healing:

• Once the packing is out, use saline nasal spray (Ocean®, Nasal®, etc.) to help keep the nose clear of mucus and crusts. You may sniff to help clear the nose.
  
• Use Bacitracin® or Neosporin® ointment inside the nostrils twice a day.
  

Activities and diet:

• Diet can be advanced to a regular diet as soon as your stomach will tolerate it
  
• Avoid blowing your nose
  
• Avoid heavy lifting or any sports where your nose might get hit.
  
• Sexual activity should be avoided for 3-4 days.
  
• Walking and driving are OK
  

When to call us:

• If your nose is bleeding, and doesn’t respond to a couple of sprays of Afrin® nasal spray
  
• If you get totally blocked after the packing is out, especially if the pain seems to be getting worse, there is fever, or the nose is looking more swollen.
  

Your prescriptions:

• Vicodin ES #15 – take one every 4 hours for pain
  
• Levaquin 500mg #5 – take one daily
  
• Bactroban Nasal Ointment: #15 gm
  
  • INSTRUCTIONS: Empty 1/3 of the tube of ointment into a 45 ml bottle of Ocean® Nasal Spray.
    
  • Warm for 20 sec. in the microwave and recap, shaking to mix
    
  • Use this solution, 2 sprays in each nostril, 4 times a day.

Follow-up

• Please call (508) 540-0900 to make an appointment for follow-up on ___________.
  

Call me if you have any problems or any questions related to your surgery (508) 540-0900.

© 2010 Douglas G. Mann, M.D.
Upper Cape Ear, Nose & Throat, PC

Any information provided on this Web site should not be considered medical advice or a substitute for a consultation with a physician. If you have a medical problem, contact your local physician for diagnosis and treatment.