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.