Septoplasty

EXPLANATION:

Septoplasty - straightening the partition inside the nose.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Nothing to eat or drink after midnight on the evening before surgery. You may brush your teeth and you may rinse out your mouth. Necessary medications, such as high blood pressure medication, may be taken under direction of your surgeon or the anesthesiologist.

PURCHASE A SMALL BOTTLE OF AFRIN nasal spray from the drug store. Before leaving the house on the morning of surgery, use 2 sprays on each side of the nose. BRING THE BOTTLE WITH YOU TO THE HOSPITAL.

When you awaken after your surgery, remember that you will not be able to breathe through your nose. Expect some bloody drainage into your throat and out the front of the nose. This will last approximately 1 -2 days after surgery.

If packing has been used, it will be removed, 1 - 2 days after surgery in our office. After the packing is removed, you may GENTLY blow your nose.

Expected after surgery are: a temperature as high at 100 (use Tylenol to bring this down), headache or sinus pain, sore throat (for a few days only), nausea and/or vomiting (for only 1 -2 days) and a sore neck.

You will receive a prescription for pain medicine before you leave the hospital.

You will probably feel better if you take only liquids for the first day after surgery. After that you may eat and drink as you wish.

You will be seen approximately 1 week after surgery to remove any splints from inside and/or outside the nose.

You may expect to be away from work or school for about 1 week.

Please call our office with any questions or problems.