A personalized booklet of post operative care and recovery expectations is produced in our office for each patient.  Our nurses will go over these directions in detail; however these instructions should be carefully read and followed.  The most commonly asked question will be answered and our office staff is always available for additional assistance.

Recovery period high points:

1. The head should be elevated for ten days following surgery to minimize swelling.
2. Recuperation time is between four to seven days during which you should increase your rest time and diminish daily activities. 
3. Sometime after four to seven days, most patients can return to sedate desk work. 
4. A nasal splint to hold tissues in place and permit early removal of packing is left in place for five to seven days.
5. Discomfort is minimal and easily controlled with mild pain medications. 
6. Activity:

1. Week one
1. Limit your activity.  You are encouraged to walk about that house or take casual strolls outside, but avoid bending down or picking up heavy objects.  Bleeding may result if you over exert yourself.
2. When sleeping or resting, keep your head elevated on three or four pillows and avoid lying on your side. 
3. Keep calm and quiet and try to avoid stress.  You will be given mild tranquilizers (xanax) to take as needed.
4. Keep your diet light and soft for four to five days and avoid hard to chew foods such as steak. 
5. On returning home, drink non-dairy fluids such as Gatorade and bland solid foods such as jello.  You may advance to more regular foods on day two. 
6. Clean your nostrils with a q-tip and hydrogen peroxide four times a day.  Immediately afterward, place antibiotic ointment around the inside of your nostrils to avoid crusting.  A humidifier as well as saline nasal sprays may also be useful.
7. Avoid blowing or sniffing excessively, if you must sneeze, keep your mouth open.  Expect some blood tinged discharged for several days and a congested feeling for several weeks. 
8. Avoid picking up babies, small children or pets, in order to avoid being accidentally struck on your nose.  This will hurt but will not cause problems unless the force is excessive. 
9. You can bath or shower, but try to keep your cast dry. If it does become wet,  dry it with a hair dryer.  IF the cast starts to come off, try to keep it on with some tape or notify our office as soon as possible.
10. Avoid cigarette smoking and cigarette smoke from others, as this may inflame tissues and cause healing problems. 
11. Avoid alcoholic beverages which can dehydrate your body and cause thickening of your secretions. Alcohol does not mix well with most medications.
2. Week two to six
1. It takes six weeks for your nasal bones to heal, slowly increase your activity, but let your body tell you how much to do.
2. Strenuous activity can be resumed in six weeks, but semi contact sports should be avoided for another month.  Swimming is allowed after six weeks.  Avoid sun burn which may cause redness and swelling.  Use sunscreen of at least spf 30 on your nose. 
3. Avoid letting glasses of any kind rest on your nasal bridge since this can cause indentations.  A small amount of tape suspending you glasses to your forehead can keep your glasses just a fraction off of your nose.
4. Your cast will be removed on the tenth day.  At that time, eighty five percent of any minor bruising or swelling will have resolved. Most patients feel comfortable being out in public that same day. 
5. If you notice some degree of tip elevation, be assured that this is expected, the nose will gradually settle to the level created during surgery over several weeks.  Occasionally an injection may be needed to reduce swelling in one area.  Any touch up surgery is not even considered for at least six months.

What to expect following nasal surgery?

Pain, swelling, bruising or bleeding: The first day or two, you will have some bleeding that is handled with a “mustache” dressing of gauze under your nose, which can be changed as needed.  When cleaning your nose, it is also normal to have pinkish-reddish discharge for four to five more days.  Most patients feel a discomfort described as soreness or tenderness with congestion, and not true pain.  While pain medications are available, try to use extra strength Tylenol first, especially after the slight amount of nasal packing is removed the next day.  Swelling and bruising around the eyes and cheeks is variable, but often very mild.  The worst is over after forty-eight hours and can be helped using ice packs to the eyes.  Usually eighty-five percent of swelling and bruising will be resolved when your cast is removed in ten days.   

Medications:  Avoid aspirin, vitamin E or Ibuprofen for two to three weeks.  Pain medications, a steroid dose pack to reduce swelling and antibiotics will be prescribed.  A trans-derm skin patch placed behind your ear can help prevent or minimize nausea.  Follow instructions and avoid driving while taking pain medications.

Infections: While very unusual, infections occasionally develop.  Fever over a hundred degrees, sweats and chills, excessive pain or swelling with redness may signify a developing infection.  Please call our office and appropriate antibiotics will be called in.